[Ragtop Man]

'67 GTO, top was in the down position after the 'thermal event' and FINALLY got the starter and wiring far enough in place (all connections secure) to put the roof back up.

Doesn't look major-bad, but I see a lot of wrinkling toward the back on the vertical surfaces and in the corners of the window (plastic)

Top will be up for the duration until next year, any ideas for helping it along besides rolling it out in the sun to cook?

Alas, the hot weather is gone here in SW Michigan as of last week...

[b-man]

Grab the blow drier from the bathroom.

Do a little session every day and it’ll smooth out.

Remind yourself to never garage it with the top down.

[Scarebird]

Being Michigan I would guess you have a few heating blankets laying about waiting for winter to show?

[rohrt]

I left mine down a whole summer. I didn't know the wrinke issue was a thing. That was years ago. I can't say I even can tell today.

I make it a practice to put the top up after every drive since then.

[HWYSTR455]

Vinyl and canvas tops are 2 diff things, canvas you can pretty much never worry about wrinkles, but they are more expensive & require different care.

But, chances are high that you have a vinyl top. 'Newer' tops are of a better material than say 10 years ago, and are more flexible. They can still wrinkle but not as easily.

Tops (vinyl) are generally in need of replacement in the 7-10 year range. The older they are, the less flexible they are. There are specific conditioners that help tops remain flexible and last longer, can homework that.

Canvas tops last much longer, though some tend to replace them due to fading and/or fraying. They can be re-dyed or touched up, even repaired, but it's a fading art. They use specific conditioners as well.

If your model has a boot, use it. Same with a well liner, and care for it as well.

With that said, in the 80s, I left my top (vinyl) down for months in the summers with no issue. There were a time or two I noticed wrinkles after being down for a while but they did relax on their own. It was a black top, and even in the colder days it would get hot from the sun.

If you are worried about it, when you put it up, don't latch it right away, give it at least a little time to relax, then latch it. If there are wrinkles, and they don't go away within a reasonable period of time, then work on using low heat or parking it in the sun for a while.

At least that's how I would handle it, but you can call a top specialist and ask. Pick one in an area that does see seasons, that may give you better results for advice than say a SoCal specialist.

Tops usually have a tag like a mattress or a data stamp, which gives you the manufacturer, date, model, etc. That may help determine the age & material if the car is new to you or you are unsure. Some specialists may ask for that info it give you best advice.

My morning coffee brain-dump.

EDIT: You can use conditioner prior to using any heat, it will help, in the long run too.

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