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How to Choose a Convertible Top Shop in Chicagoland

2026-10-07

The Chicago area has a handful of shops that do convertible tops, spread from the North Shore to the western suburbs, the south suburbs, and Northwest Indiana. If you search "convertible top replacement near me," you'll get a mix of trim shops, general auto upholstery shops, glass shops, and dealers.

This guide is meant to help you compare any shop, including ours, on the things that actually decide whether your new top fits, seals, and lasts. We're Don's Auto Interiors & Tops in Alsip, and we've been doing convertible tops since 1977. We'll mention what we do along the way, but the questions apply everywhere.

1. Do they do convertible tops regularly?

Lots of upholstery shops can sew. Fewer install convertible tops week in and week out. Ask:

• How many tops do you install in a typical month or season?
• Have you done my make and model recently?
• Can I see photos of tops you've installed?

A shop that does tops regularly will know the quirks of your car: where it tends to leak, which pads wear out, and how the frame needs to be set.

2. What's actually included in the quote?

Two quotes can look very different simply because they include different things. Ask whether the price includes:

• The top cover (and which material: vinyl, cloth, or canvas)
• The rear window (plastic or glass, and whether it's already in the top)
• Pads, cables, and straps
• Weatherstripping
• Frame inspection and adjustment
• Hydraulic or power top inspection

A low quote that leaves out worn pads or ignores a frame problem can cost more in the end. At Don's, we inspect the frame, pads, cables, and seals as part of every top replacement and explain what we find. See what our top replacement includes.

3. What materials do they offer?

Most tops are vinyl or cloth (often called canvas or twill). Ask to see real samples, not just pictures. A good shop will explain:

• What your car originally came with
• The trade-offs: vinyl is durable and easy to clean, cloth has a softer, factory-premium look on many cars
• Which colors are available for your model

4. How do they handle the rear window?

The rear window is often the first thing to fail. Ask:

• Is the window plastic or glass on my top, and can I upgrade?
• If only the window is bad, can it be replaced or rebonded without a new top?
• Is a tinted option available?

A shop that only ever recommends full replacement, even when the top is still sound, may not be giving you the full picture.

5. Will they diagnose before they replace?

If your top is slow, stuck, or leaking, ask how the shop finds the cause. Leaks often come from weatherstripping, side window alignment, or clogged drains, not the top fabric. Power top problems often come from pumps, cylinders, fluid, or frame adjustment. A good shop will check before selling you parts. See our convertible top repair page for how we approach it.

6. What's the warranty, and who stands behind it?

Ask for warranty terms in writing:

• What does the shop warranty on workmanship, and for how long?
• What does the top manufacturer warranty, and does it require professional installation?
• If there's a problem, do you come back to the shop, or deal with a manufacturer?

We'll walk you through the warranty terms for your specific job before work starts, and our warranty page covers our protection plans.

7. How long will it take and when can they start?

A full top replacement isn't usually a same-day job. At Don's it takes 8 to 12 hours of shop time. Ask how long the shop needs the car, and how far out they're booking. In Chicagoland, spring is the rush, when everyone wants their convertible ready for the first warm weekend. Booking in winter or early spring makes it easier.

8. Do they explain break-in and care?

A new top needs time to settle in, and cold weather makes that more important. A good shop will tell you how to care for the new top: when it's okay to put it down, how to clean it, and what to avoid. If no one mentions it, ask.

9. Can they handle the rest of the car?

If your headliner is sagging or your driver's seat is torn, it's convenient when one shop can do it all in one visit. Don's handles convertible tops, auto upholstery, headliners, and even boat upholstery in the same shop.

10. Are they easy to work with?

Look at how the shop treats you before you're a customer:

• Do they answer the phone or call back?
• Will they give an estimate from photos?
• Do they explain options without pressure?
• Are their reviews detailed and consistent, including how they respond to problems?

A simple comparison checklist

Bring this list to every shop you call:

| Question | Shop A | Shop B | Shop C | |---|---|---|---| | Does tops regularly / done my model? | | | | | Material options (vinyl / cloth) and samples? | | | | | Rear window type, and repair-only option? | | | | | Pads, cables, weatherstrip, frame check included? | | | | | Diagnoses leaks and hydraulics first? | | | | | Written warranty terms? | | | | | Time needed and earliest date? | | | | | Break-in and care instructions? | | | |

Talk to us

If you'd like Don's to be one of your quotes, call (708) 371-8020 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or send photos and your vehicle details. We're at 11937 S. Cicero Ave in Alsip, serving Chicago, the suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.

Request a free estimate or call (708) 371-8020.