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The last thing any classic convertible owner wants is a leaky hood. However, many owners take this part of their pride and joy for granted, assuming it will do its job forever and day – when, in reality, the average life of a hood is only about 10 years.

If you’re a proud owner of a classic convertible, you should ensure you’re doing everything you can to extend the life of the hood by taking good care of it. Unfortunately, it won’t look after itself.

It’s as much about peace of mind as it is anything else, knowing that should the heavens open while driving your classic convertible, it’s going to be able to withstand the downpour and not ruin your classic interior.

While you might have classic car cover in place to protect you against any mishaps, you don’t really want to be claiming on your policy for something that was avoidable. That’s why we’re bringing you some tips on how to care for your classic convertible’s hood.

Take care when bringing your car out of hibernation

Many classic car owners like to put their vintage motors away for the colder months, to protect it from the elements. If they’ve looked after it during the hibernation months, come the Spring, they can expect to turn the ignition and get their classic back on the road.

Convertible classics need a bit more attention, however, due in no small part to the hood. 

You might choose to leave the hood in its folded position for the winter months – if it’s parked up under a hard top – to allow some air to circulate in and out of the car. That being the case, you need to be careful when unfolding your hood again.

Vinyl hoods especially need to be eased out of their folded position, as the material could be fragile to the point where it will split when stretched.

If you’re lucky enough to have an electrically operated hood, you might want to unfold it manually so that you can raise it nice and slowly and prevent a nasty tear.

The same principles apply if your hood has been in the raised position for the winter months. The first time you want to recline it, be gentle, as the roof will have ‘forgotten’ how to fold. 

Your best bet to avoid damaging your hood is to pop out a few times over the winter months to slowly open and close it. Ultimately, the longer any hood is left inoperative, the greater the chance of it failing or over-flexing.

Try this: turn on the car’s heater for a period before attempting to operate the hood after winter hibernation so that the mechanism is nice and warmed up, giving it the best chance of unfurling unharmed.

Lubricate before you clean and proof

Before you get scrub-happy restoring your hood back to its best, you should spend some time lubricating the operating mechanism and rubber seals.

Our advice would be to avoid aerosol-type lubricants if possible, as it’s not always easy to direct the spray and you could end up with some on the hood material. A few drops of light machine-type oil will do the trick, ensuring you cover all the hinges, catches and so on.

Any adjuster mechanisms on the hood frame should also be lightly lubricated – while you’re at it, ensure they are set to give the maximum of wind and watertight seals.

Next, look at the rubber seals around the hood edges, observing them for signs of damage. If you do find a damaged seal, don’t take any chances and replace it. All being OK, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and dust which has built up during the hibernation months. Finish with a dusting of silicone lubrication spray. 

Finally, inspect the rainwater rails and drainage holes to ensure they are clear of leaves and debris. Any build up here can cause corrosion over time or even flooding into the boot.

Clean and reproof

Now it’s for the satisfying part – cleaning and reproofing – making the hood look like new again. This is a task that should be done at least once a year – more if you use your convertible every day and regularly expose it to the elements.

Specialist cleaning and re-treatment products are available to make the job of restoring your hood an easy one. Never be tempted to just use washing-up liquid – you’ll soon find out why not, if you did…

Buy a product that is designed specifically for your type of hood. For example, products for fabric/mohair hoods provide a gentler clean. Apply the product to a suitable brush – do not use a standard sponge or cloth as you’ll end up with a ‘dandruff’ situation whereby tiny particles of the sponge or cloth become trapped in the fibre of the hood.

Remember once your cloth or mohair convertible tops are reproofed, you should keep them indoors for 24 hours to make sure they’re thoroughly dry. Vinyl hoods can be used straight away.

3 top tips for soft tops

• Vinyl hoods shouldn’t be used if the temperature is below 10^oC to stop them from cracking.
• Don’t leave your cloth convertible sat in direct sunlight.
• Cloth hoods might not be lined, meaning their waterproofing abilities degrade over time.

Protect your convertible with classic car insurance

At Lancaster, we share your enthusiasm for vintage vehicles, and love to help owners by sharing some top tips on car care and maintenance – and of course, we also arrange classic car insurance.

We can find you to suit your requirements and budget, no matter what make and model of vehicle.

Benefits can include up to 90 days’ free EU cover, limited mileage discounts, and static show or historic rally cover.

With a 24-hour claims helpline and a UK-based call centre, we make it easier for you to keep your cherished classic on the road.

Get a classic car insurance quote from Lancaster today and keep your convertible safe and sound.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.