Softop shrinkage? Any tips to fix

[23OBX2.7]

Key is to flip the front panel open. It destresses the rear makes it easy to line everything up.

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[BroncoA512021]

Out of curiosity, any of yall have the IAG struts?

Yes.....it def affects the fit...

 

[jmighty]

hey all our softop is shrinking to the point it doesn’t really cover the corners. Is there any fix for this? I can pull down and almost hang on it Velcro it and it pulls right back up.

 

[WJP3RD]

‘23 and a ‘24 at home both with IAG struts. No issues

 

[jmighty]

'23 Black Diamond and your pic looks exactly like mine. Garage kept. Have tried every suggestion here and still no improvement. Disappointing.

 

[‘21OBX]

Key is to flip the front panel open. It destresses the rear makes it easy to line everything up.

We can and have done it every way possible I agree front flipped back makes the windows way easier to install. But ours still rides up. This is our second soft top bronco we love the functionality of it. I was hoping to get 5 years out of it before replacing. It is a wear item in a convertible.

 

[CarGuy]

 

[Dral97]

I'm NOT saying to ignore it and if it is a fitment issue that is not your fault, then it's certainly reasonable to be pissed about it.

With that being said, owning jeeps with soft tops over the years, if I saw this on my soft top I would try to pull it down once. If it did the same thing, I wouldn't give it another thought.

 

[Doc TOC]

There is "fixing" vinyl shrink, and then there is preventing.

Persistent fit issues, even in warm weather, typically points to plasticizer loss, seam stress, or frame misalignment, rather than reversible contraction. Vinyl generally does not shrink, but elongates and becomes brittle. The 'shrink' is generally from temperature cycling, cold storage, or stretching followed by contracted storage - resulting in a material memory.

I would begin with fitting the corner as best you can, then warming it up to 78-82 degrees F (heat gun on LOW 18 inches away +IR thermometer), and slowly stretching the corner. This usually is enough to undo the material memory. Once positioned, follow up with a vinyl protector, like 303 Aerospace Protectant or RaggTop Vinyl Protectant, after the corner has cooled. NEVER apply protectants to a hot top.

Over pulling, just like constant air turbulence, with permanently elongate the vinyl polymer and unbond the plasticizer (chemical that makes it flexible). Don't 'muscle' the stretch - low, constant pressure.

Over time, UV and prolonged heat causes the plasticizer in the vinyl to break down and evaporate or wash away. Washing with soaps or other chemical cleaners also does this. You can't replace the plasticizer; it's chemically bonded to the vinyl polymer. But routinely using vinyl protectants can prolong its life.

Best way to clean your vinyl - JUST WATER. Vinyl is a natural water repellant, meaning most dirt and road grime will wash away. If bird poop or tree sap or other such gunk gets on it, that is spot treatment. Vinyl tops through a car wash is a big no-no.

I hope it gets refitted for you.

 

[‘21OBX]

There it is!! I don’t know how to get that on here but sure thought of it! “I WAS IN THE POOL!!”

 

[‘21OBX]

There is "fixing" vinyl shrink, and then there is preventing.

Persistent fit issues, even in warm weather, typically points to plasticizer loss, seam stress, or frame misalignment, rather than reversible contraction. Vinyl generally does not shrink, but elongates and becomes brittle. The 'shrink' is generally from temperature cycling, cold storage, or stretching followed by contracted storage - resulting in a material memory.

I would begin with fitting the corner as best you can, then warming it up to 78-82 degrees F (heat gun on LOW 18 inches away +IR thermometer), and slowly stretching the corner. This usually is enough to undo the material memory. Once positioned, follow up with a vinyl protector, like 303 Aerospace Protectant or RaggTop Vinyl Protectant, after the corner has cooled. NEVER apply protectants to a hot top.

Over pulling, just like constant air turbulence, with permanently elongate the vinyl polymer and unbond the plasticizer (chemical that makes it flexible). Don't 'muscle' the stretch - low, constant pressure.

Over time, UV and prolonged heat causes the plasticizer in the vinyl to break down and evaporate or wash away. Washing with soaps or other chemical cleaners also does this. You can't replace the plasticizer; it's chemically bonded to the vinyl polymer. But routinely using vinyl protectants can prolong its life.

Best way to clean your vinyl - JUST WATER. Vinyl is a natural water repellant, meaning most dirt and road grime will wash away. If bird poop or tree sap or other such gunk gets on it, that is spot treatment. Vinyl tops through a car wash is a big no-no.

I hope it gets refitted for you.

But this isn’t vinyl is it? It’s a fabric

 

[‘21OBX]

I'm NOT saying to ignore it and if it is a fitment issue that is not your fault, then it's certainly reasonable to be pissed about it.

With that being said, owning jeeps with soft tops over the years, if I saw this on my soft top I would try to pull it down once. If it did the same thing, I wouldn't give it another thought.

It isn’t the look that is the issue. The problem is you can see daylight through it. It’s not even covering what’s needed. For a mid $50k vehicle and only a few years old it’s just disappointing.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Maybe try and adjust the top mounting brackets loosen them up with front top open, so you can get the fit you want them adjust the front strikers to where they need to be to secure......


Maybe aftermarket is the answer....

 

[Tdub0527]

I have had three soft tops (years '21, '22, '24) over two Broncos with and without IAG struts. All three of the soft tops have had this problem to some extent and I am unable to remedy it either. I do think the problem gets worse with the frequency that I take out my windows.

I've chalked it up to being what it is and not worrying too much about it. Never had water intrusion or increased sound so the visual aspect (that only I notice) is the only problem. Kinda like your first scratch or dent...once to make the decision to move on from fixating on it it isn't such a big deal.

P.S. I agree a vehicle this expensive shouldn't do that.

 

[Doc TOC]

But this isn’t vinyl is it? It’s a fabric

Yes, it is primarily polyvinyl filament threads coated with a plasticizer and woven around a polyester reinforcement scrim (thin cross-hatch mesh) which provides tear resistance, dimensional stability, and load handling.

It is not a fabric, in the traditional sense of a fiber interlaced into a yarn, that is then woven into a textile fabric. Fabrics characteristically have air space between the woven yarns.

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