Hmm... the dreaded Soft Top Shrinkage... ANy tips?

[rocrunner]

i guess it's from the cold/hot/cold/hot conditions of winter driving, along with the snow accumulations on the top, but the strips that come down and attach along side of the rear window flap are pulling more and more out. this is causing a slight gap, and letting wind-blown rain and snow to get in. any ideas? i thought about soaking it down with hot water at the car wash, and unzipping and putting everything back where it needs to be. is it possible my retention channels are worn, or need to be "tweaked"? they are "winging out" near the window flap, and pulling closer to the doors.

[rocrunner]

nobody?

[JUSTJEEPME]

soaking it down will help the top to stretch if it shrunk.

[CJowner]

I am guessing you have a Jeep with a fastener system that has the bottom of the top fit into channels on the body (like my Bestop Supertop). Heat may be an answer but I think it will take more than hot water. Something more along the lines of heat from a hair dryer evenly applied over the whole area and tension being held while the heat is applied (probably a two person task). If you have an aftermarket top check with the manufacturer for info and also about warranty info (even if it is several years old). Same for factory tops - check with Jeep first to see if there might be some "hidden warranties". The channels can be bent with common shop tools (pliers or a mallet). I opened mine up a bit with a screwdriver. Good luck

[tidal9]

I used to lay it out in the sun on my driveway and hose it down until it was completely soaked, then after a few minutes of it heating up nice and hot (black top), I would re-assemble on the jeep and it would be nice and pliable until it cooled down and set, this was in the summer though.

[Amberfire122]

Yeah I got one for you. Here in AZ it gets up to 118 in the Spring/Summer/Fall. I have a black top that sits out in the sun ALL day. When I get out to put the top down for the ride home, it feels like a wet tissue. It is the funniest thing ever. The entire top is so limp that you almost need to becareful as to how you put it down because all the plastic will mold that way and the little rails will bend and then get cold like and stay like that. Billet Disconnects are so helpfull here. Those little plastic ends cant stand up very well. icon_smile_big.gif