Convertible Top Replacement in Chicagoland
Chicago is hard on soft tops. Summer sun bakes the fabric, winter brings road salt and freezing nights, and every spring we see tops with shrunken seams, cloudy back windows, and leaks that weren't there in October. Don's Auto Interiors & Tops has been replacing convertible tops on Cicero Avenue in Alsip since 1977, and convertible work is still the heart of what we do.
What a full top replacement includes
Replacing a convertible top is more than stretching new fabric over the frame. A good installation looks at the whole system:
- The top cover: vinyl, cloth, or canvas, matched to your vehicle and your preference.
- The rear window: plastic or glass, depending on the car. We can upgrade to tinted windows on many applications.
- Pads, cables, and straps: worn bow pads and tension cables are a common reason a new top wrinkles or leaks. We check them before the new top goes on.
- Weatherstripping: a perfect top still leaks if the seals are flattened or cracked.
- Frame alignment: the frame has to open, close, and latch correctly so the new top sits tight.
- Binding and zippers: we offer brass zipper upgrades and hand-rolled binding where the design allows.
We stock and install tops for virtually every make and model, from classic American convertibles to late-model European roadsters. If your car has a power top, we'll check the hydraulic or electric system before we quote a new cover. A new top on a frame that doesn't close evenly won't last.
Vinyl, cloth, or canvas?
Most convertibles came from the factory with either a vinyl top or a woven cloth top.
Vinyl is durable, easy to clean, and usually less expensive. It's common on American classics and many domestic convertibles.
Cloth (often called canvas or twill) has a softer, matte look. It's standard on a lot of European and premium convertibles. It needs a little more care, including occasional cleaning and re-protecting, but many owners prefer the look.
At your estimate we'll show you real material samples and explain what your car originally had. You can go back to factory spec or choose an upgrade.
Many of the tops we install use Haartz topping fabric, a specialty material used across the industry for vinyl and cloth convertible tops. We'll tell you which material is in the top we quote for your car.
How long it takes and how to plan for it
A convertible top installation takes 8 to 12 hours of shop time. We don't do same-day top replacements, so it's best to book ahead, especially in spring when everyone wants their top ready for the first warm weekend. Other repairs, like seat panels and small tears, take much less time.
After a new top goes on, it needs time to relax into shape. We'll give you break-in and care instructions when you pick up the car. Following them, especially in cool weather, makes a real difference in how the top fits over the long run.
Why Chicagoland drivers come to Alsip
- Since 1977. Don's has been doing trim and top work in the same community for almost five decades.
- Tops and interiors under one roof. If your headliner is sagging or your seat bolster is torn, we can handle it on the same visit.
- Parts on hand. Our online catalog carries hundreds of convertible tops, and we keep over 1,000 cloth and vinyl material types in stock for interior work.
- Free, no-obligation estimates. You'll know what we recommend and why before any work starts.
- Easy to reach. We're at 11937 S. Cicero Ave, near the Tri-State, and serve Chicago, the south and southwest suburbs, the western suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Shopping for a top online first?
Don's also sells convertible tops online, and many drivers ask whether they should buy a top themselves and have it installed. Our guide to buying a convertible top online vs. having a shop install it walks through the trade-offs, including fit, which parts you might be missing, and who stands behind the result.
Signs it's time for a new top
- Water inside the car after rain or a car wash
- Fabric that's shrunk, split at the seams, or worn through at the bows
- A plastic rear window that's yellowed, cloudy, or cracked
- A glass rear window separating from the fabric
- Fading or mildew you can't clean out
Not every problem needs a full replacement. A separated rear window, a torn seam, or a stuck hydraulic cylinder can often be repaired. See our convertible top repair page for those jobs. We'll always tell you which way makes more sense for your car.
Warranty
Every repair includes a free 90-day workmanship warranty. Convertible tops carry a 3-year materials warranty and a 100% fit guarantee. Extended Protection Plans come in Standard (12 months), Premium (24 months), and Elite (36 months). Coverage ranges from 3 months to 3 years depending on the service. See /warranty for details.
Get a free estimate
Call (708) 371-8020 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or request an estimate online. Have your year, make, and model ready, and send a photo of the top and rear window if you can. Visiting from the north side, DuPage, or Indiana? See our pages for Chicago, Naperville, and Northwest Indiana drivers.
Request your free convertible top estimate →
Frequently asked questions
How long does a convertible top replacement take?
Most top installations take 8 to 12 hours of shop time. We don't do same-day top replacements, so book ahead and plan to leave the car with us.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Estimates are free and carry no obligation. Call (708) 371-8020 or send a request through our contact page with your year, make, and model.
Can you replace just the rear window instead of the whole top?
Often, yes. If the top fabric is still sound, we can replace a cloudy or torn plastic window, or rebond a separated glass window. We'll tell you honestly if the top itself is near the end of its life.
Should I choose vinyl or cloth?
It depends on what your car came with and how you use it. Vinyl is easy to clean and usually costs less. Cloth looks more like the factory top on many European and late-model cars. We'll show you samples at the estimate.
Related
Request a free estimate or call (708) 371-8020.