HELPFUL INFORMATION

ORDERING INFORMATION
Buying tops on line raises the same consumer issues as the purchase of any other commodity from a web site. You will note, as you proceed through our shopping process, that we have taken steps to reassure and serve our customers properly. These include the provision of contact information to any of several staff members who will handle any questions, special requests or difficulties.

• If you wish to place an order with us you can do it securely on this web site. Our website uses a secure server for all our transactions, meaning that none of your personal information can be read by outside sources as it is transmitted to us online.
   
• If you prefer to order by phone, you may call our toll free order line: 800-999-2892 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm eastern time Monday through Friday.
   
• You may also fax us at 401-789-5650. This is a 24 hour fax line which is located in the sales office and is not accessible to any unauthorized personnel. It is secure.
   
• We accept VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS cards. You may also enclose payment and remit to:

  M & T Mfg. Co.
  30 Hopkins Lane
  South Kingstown, RI 02879

• General questions may be directed by email, or by phone to: 401-789-0472, or by fax to 401-789-5650. We are here from Monday through Friday, 9 to 5:30 Eastern USA time.
   
• We ship worldwide. Shipping Information.
   
• All of our items come with a guarantee of quality and service. Warranty claims are processed quickly. Orders are processed by convertible top experts here, not by 'robots.' Questions are answered faithfully.

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• Sonnenland® is a German-made 3-ply topping made up of an acrylic twill-weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a polyester "dobby backing." The dobby backing is a knit-like weave original to many high-end foreign cars. Customers who value originality over cost often pay top dollar for Sonnenland, just to have that authentic "dobby backing," seen only when you look up at the roof of your convertible top from inside your car. Sonnenland canvas is a top-of-the-line material original to various Audi, BMW, and Jaguar convertibles, among others. Sonnenland Canvas can vary in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance, but all Sonnenland Canvas promises elegance and long-lasting durability.
• Twillfast®, also called Sonnendeck Canvas, is an American-made canvas - a cost-effective substitute for Sonnenland. Twillfast is usually a 3-ply topping (though some versions are 5-ply) with Polyester and/or Polyester/cotton backings. This material, original to certain Camaro, BMW, Mustang, and VW Beetle convertibles, among others, varies in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance. Twillfast Canvas is identical to Sonnenland Canvas - elegant and durable - only it's less expensive. This is a top-notch convertible top material, one we often recommend to savvy customers who like a good buy and a quality product.
• Stayfast Canvas is an elegant, durable canvas original to cars like the Mazda Miata and the Nissan 370Z. Stayfast is commonly used in replacement convertible tops. Stayfast canvas has an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a cotton backing. As with other canvases, the rubber core gives the fabric long-lasting durability. Stayfast canvas is a sleek, beautiful canvas, usually less expensive than Twillfast, but it does not have the dobby backing offered in Sonnenland and Twillfast (Sonnendeck). Stayfast is a popular upgrade to vinyl convertible tops, and as with any canvas, is richer looking and has a higher wear rating than convertible tops made of vinyl.
• Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is the most popular fabric. This vinyl design is original to most American cars from the fifties to the nineties. Pinpoint refers to the little dots or pips that you see if you look closely at the vinyl surface. European cars, such as the old Beetles and others also used pinpoint vinyl as the topping fabric.
• Chrysler Sailcloth is featured on many late LeBarons, Sebrings, certain Mustangs and other cars. It is structurally (wear quality) equivalent to the Haartz Pinpoint but has a different surface grain. The grain was designed to imitate the look of canvas. As you can see from the scan of this fabric, it is an exceptionally rich looking material. It is sometimes chosen for replacing convertible tops that originally featured pinpoint vinyl.
• Cabrio Grain is also structurally equivalent to the pinpoint. It has a pigskin outer grain vinyl as original to Volkswagen Cabriolets from 1984 onward and to Mazda Miatas and Mercury Capris.
• A5S German Canvas (Robbins) The 100% Acrylic Twill Weave Surface Cloth receives a special flame singing treatment to remove the fabric knap; and is laminated to Black 100% Polyester Dobby backing.
  
  This is the original topping for Porsche Boxster and Cabrio convertible tops. 59 inches (150 cm) wide, made in Germany.
• British Bison Vinyl is the most popular British roadster convertible top material. It is American made Haartz leather grain vinyl and is an imitation of the British Everflex vinyl top fabric. The British Bison Vinyl convertible top fabric is often referred to as 'crush grain.'
• British Everflex Vinyl We are now pleased to offer British Everflex Vinyl for classic English tops. This is the original material used on British convertibles including Jaguar, Rolls Royce and many others. Imported from England, British Everflex vinyl is a supple vinyl with a rich appearance and is more durable than other vinyls. A good, less expensive alternative is Colonial grain vinyl. Colonial has the same texture but is less durable.
• HV Denim (also called Twill Weave Vinyl) is heavy duty sport material composed of a distinctive twill grain PVC outer layer and a polyester/cotton blend inside lining fabric.
• Trilogy Acoustic Vinyl A heavyweight vinyl that is often used on SUVs like Jeep, because the two-ply composite has the capacity to reduce noise by about 20 percent compared to standard vinyls like Sailcloth. The vinyl material is durable, promises long-lasting wear-and-tear, and resembles the sleek twill cloth commonly found on luxury convertible cars.
• Haartz Twillfast RPC This American-made canvas has a twill weave pattern and resembles German-made Sonnenland canvas. It is a great all-purpose canvas and, according to Haartz, is used on 99 percent of convertibles. It is stronger and more durable than Stayfast Canvas and offers more sound protection. Haartz rates Twillfast RPC as a mid-level acoustic product, compared to the low-level sound reduction offered on other top materials like Stayfast

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Some cars, such as the Capri, or the Cavaliers and Sunbirds have two pair of side cables. There is a rear flap that is also held to the frame with cables. We find that these rear flap cables last longer than the main side cables, often through two or more tops. However the Capri rear cables, owing to their design, are usually replaced with each top.

Some cars, such as the Beetle, VW Cabriolet, some Jaguars, etc. use a different kind of tensioning cable that holds the top down tight to the body of the car along its rear belt line. Such cables should be replaced with a new top in most cases.

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We recommend that "boot vinyl" be the fabric of choice for replacement boots. Top fabrics such as pinpoint do not have the flexibility inherent in modern boot vinyl. Please inquire on boots and headliners if not listed. We will quote you and provide fabric information if you inquire.

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Rear well liners are commonly attached to the back of tops until the sixties. Thereafter when present the well liners were usually independent of the top fabric. Well liners typically last a long time and are likely re-usable.

Tacking Strips are embedded into top frame bows in most cars from 1950 until the present. They replaced the wooden tacking forms used until about 1948 in American convertible top frames. Incidentally, Mercedes and Volkswagen used wood bows until much later. The old Beetles of 1979 had wood rear top bows. And the 2004 Rolls Royce has wood tacking forms too! Modern convertible tops are installed with staples and contact cement and the stapling is done into embedded "tacking strips" in the frame bows. Usually these are in the front (or 'header') bow and in the rear top bow (over the rear window.) We offer replacements for these tacking strips. We can also usually provide replacement tacking strips for the rear (base line) tacking strips to which the lower rear portion of the top is often stapled. Tacking strips, where used (usually in the front and rear top bows) usually last for two tops.

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These comprehensive manuals are written from shop and dealer procedures. We cannot provide consulting services. Also, though we have checked carefully on accuracy and clarity, it is the installer's responsibility that the job be completed successfully.

Instruction booklets should be used in conjunction with careful notes you make during the removal of the old top.

Most American convertibles made after the forties are of a similar design. They consist of two parts: a "main top" which is the portion from the windshield to the bow above the rear window; and the "rear curtain" which is the rear window and its trim. They are joined during the installation process. Excellent instructions for this job are to be found in the "Guide To Installing Two Part Convertible Tops." This manual is $6 and is listed on most of the convertible top pages as an accessory. It is not listed where specific shop based guides are available, such as for the Miata (not a two part top).

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