When you own a soft top, you’re in complete control of your adventure. Want to let more air in the cabin? Unzip the front portion of the top. Or perhaps you want to get a little wild and take the top off completely. Whatever your motivation, owning a soft top gives you some of the best flexibility imaginable for your vehicle. In fact, they're easy to remove and store as well.
While soft tops are a great companion for your Jeep Wrangler or truck, unfortunately, they don't last forever.
The good news is that with proper maintenance and care, the life expectancy of a soft top is a lot more than you think.
Life Expectancy of a Soft Top
Soft tops don't last forever, especially if you leave them on all year round and during bouts of off-roading. On average, you can expect your soft top to last for around five to ten years.
You'll get five years out of it if you wrestle with it every time you put it on, leave it exposed to the elements, and don't maintain it properly. On the other hand, with proper maintenance and a gentle touch, your top should last well beyond ten years.
Proper care and maintenance will go a long way when it comes to preserving the life of a soft top.
Factors that Influence the Lifespan of a Jeep Soft Top
Several factors influence the lifespan of a soft top, with the most common being:
- Type of material – The quality of the material impacts its longevity – soft tops with several layers of vinyl will last longer than most factory options.
- Climate – Living in areas with high moisture and heat till wear down most soft tops faster.
- UV exposure – Constantly leaving your soft top exposed to UV rays will discolor the material and eventually lead to abrasion.
- Maintenance – Properly maintaining your hard top can prevent it from wearing down
- Storage – If you’re not using your soft top at all times, focus on storing it in a location that doesn't get direct sunlight or a lot of moisture.
Understanding these factors and preventing them from becoming a problem will help your soft top last for a long time.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Soft Top
When it's time to replace your soft top there will be signs that it's nearing the end of its life. Signs it's time to replace your soft top include:
- Discoloration from mold and mildew that won't go away
- Abrasion along the rear or front corners that are splintering into a hole
- Ripples and window shrinkage that's starting to leave exposed holes in the material
- Rips and tears
- The top doesn't fit on the Jeep properly
Sometimes, you can prevent these issues from damaging your soft top, but if holes are starting to form and discoloration is severe, it may be time to replace your soft top.
How to Increase the Life Expectancy of a Soft Top
We've already established that soft tops don't last forever, and while that's unfortunate, you don't have to be defenseless. One of the best things you can do for your soft top is remove and store it during the winter months or even summer months if you’re not using it and have a hard top replacement. Storing it in a garage or shed that's protected from the elements is the single best way to increase its longevity.
If your soft top is the only top you’re running, don't panic, because we have you covered there as well. If you want to know how to maintain a soft top, it starts with having the right supplies and being aware of what causes damage. For example, letting water pool on the surface of the top can result in mold and mildew growth.
Cleaning the top every few weeks to remove mold and not forcing zippers or material when it's not going on right away will also preserve its lifespan. Parking your vehicle in a garage or somewhere that's not constantly exposed to water, debris, and UV rays will also protect your soft top. You will need a cleaner and protectant, be very cautious because some of these products will cause your window to fog, crack or yellow. Always use a clean, soft terry cloth or cotton rag when you're cleaning your windows and make sure you wipe and rinse the cleaner thoroughly. Bestop makes an entire line of cleaners and protectants to help you keep your Soft Top and windows in great shape. Bestop offers a Cleaner/Protectant Combo Pack that includes the cleaner, protectant and window polisher that is priced right. You can get all these products separately to meet your needs but you should definitely have all three. Ragg Top and Mothers also offer Cleaners and Protectants and they are trusted products. Finally, Mopar offers a Soft Top zipper cleaner and lubricant that works on all types of plastic and metal zippers. The Mopar Sof Top Zipper Cleaner & Lubricant brushes away dirt and deposits and lubricates the zipper to insure functionality.
Get the Most Out of Your Jeep Soft Top
Soft tops last for a long time, especially if you take care of them. In fact, most soft tops are prematurely replaced at the first sign of mold, abrasion, or shrinkage. While these are signs that your top may be on the way out, with the proper cleaning supplies, like a soft bristle brush, you can extend the life of your soft top for another few years.
When it's time to replace your soft top, we have you covered at ExtremeTerrain. Not only can we supply you with OEM replacements, but we also offer tops with thicker material and more durable vinyl to help you extend the lifespan of your soft top.
