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Vinyl vs. Cloth Convertible Tops: Which Should You Choose?

2026-10-07

When you replace a convertible top, the first big decision is material. Most tops are either vinyl or cloth, and the cloth is often called canvas or twill. Both can look great and last for years. The right choice depends on your car, how you use it, and how much care you want to give it.

At Don's Auto Interiors & Tops in Alsip, we've installed both kinds since 1977. Here's how we explain the differences to customers.

What they're made of

Vinyl tops are a coated material with a grain pattern on the surface. Many have a fabric backing for strength. The surface itself is waterproof.

Cloth tops are usually a layered construction: a woven outer fabric (often acrylic or polyester), a rubber or waterproof middle layer, and an inner fabric. The outer layer is treated to shed water. Top manufacturers build tops from topping fabrics made by specialty mills. Ask your shop which brand and grade of material is in the top they're quoting.

At Don's, many of the vinyl and cloth tops we install are made with Haartz topping fabric. When you get an estimate, ask which brand and grade is in the top for your car so you know what you're comparing.

Looks

Vinyl has a slight sheen and a visible grain. It's the classic look on many American convertibles from the 1960s through the 1990s, and it suits a lot of muscle cars and classics.

Cloth has a matte, woven look. It's standard on many European convertibles and many premium modern cars, and it often looks more upscale.

If originality matters, the easiest answer is to match what your car came with. We'll tell you what that was for your year and model.

Care and cleaning

Vinyl:

• Wash with mild soap and water
• Use a vinyl protectant with UV protection
• Avoid harsh solvents that dry out the surface

Cloth:

• Brush off dirt and debris regularly with a soft brush
• Clean with a product made for fabric convertible tops
• Re-apply a fabric protectant periodically to keep water beading
• Avoid brush-type car washes

Vinyl is generally lower maintenance. Cloth rewards a little extra care.

Behavior in Chicago weather

Cold: vinyl stiffens in cold weather. Folding a vinyl top, or a top with a plastic rear window, in freezing temperatures can cause creases and cracks. Cloth tends to stay more flexible, though plastic windows on cloth tops have the same cold-weather concerns.

Heat and sun: both fade over time. UV protectants help either material, and parking in a garage or shade helps most of all.

Dirt and debris: cloth can show stains from tree sap and bird droppings if they're left on, so clean them off quickly. Vinyl wipes clean more easily.

Cost

We don't publish prices because they depend on the car and the top. In general, vinyl tops often cost less than cloth for the same vehicle, but price varies by manufacturer and model. The best way to compare is to ask for a quote on both.

Durability

A well-made, well-installed top in either material can last many years. What usually shortens a top's life isn't the material. It's sun exposure, folding it cold or wet, neglecting cleaning, and installing it over worn pads or a misaligned frame. That's why we inspect the frame, pads, cables, and seals as part of every top replacement.

Quick comparison

| | Vinyl | Cloth | |---|---|---| | Look | Slight sheen, visible grain | Matte, woven | | Common on | Many American classics and domestic convertibles | Many European and premium convertibles | | Cleaning | Easier: soap, water, protectant | Brush, fabric cleaner, periodic protectant | | Cold weather | Stiffens, so fold with care | Stays more flexible | | Typical cost | Often less | Often more |

Our advice

1. Start with what your car came with, especially on classics or if resale matters.
2. Think about where the car lives. Outdoors under trees? Vinyl is easier to keep clean. Garaged and cared for? Cloth is a great option.
3. See samples in person. Color and texture look different in daylight than on a screen.

Warranty on a new top

A replacement convertible top from Don's carries a 3-year materials warranty and a 100% fit guarantee. Repairs include a free 90-day workmanship warranty. Coverage ranges from 3 months to 3 years depending on the service. For Extended Protection Plans (Standard, Premium, and Elite), see /warranty.

Next steps

After you choose, read about breaking in a new top in Chicago weather and winter convertible top care. To see samples for your car, call (708) 371-8020 or request an estimate. Don's is at 11937 S. Cicero Ave in Alsip.

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