Convertible Top Fabrics

Pinpoint Vinyl is a material that was used originally on most 60’s, 70’s & 80’s Vinyl convertible tops. Vinyl looks like grained plastic.

Construction: A two- ply composite made of a PVC outer layer and a dyed 100% cotton sateen lining fabric. Excellent Weatherability, Excellent U.V. Resistance & Excellent Durability.

Pinpoint Vinyl is also known as “single texture.” The outside is a pinpoint vinyl and the inside is cloth. To the average person this looks similar to Eurotop but is less expensive. Tops made with this vinyl cost less than other top fabrics. This convertible top has an excellent cost/performance benefit. Weatherability is excellent and highly durable. This is the least expensive option for fabric.

Sailcloth Vinyl is a material that has a little different texture than Pinpoint Vinyl top. Sailcloth Vinyl looks like grained plastic.
Construction: A two-ply composite made of a PVC outer layer and a Grey blended polyester/cotton drill lining fabric. Superior Strength & Durability, Excellent U.V. Resistance & Superior Weatherability.
Original Equipment: Ford Mustang & Chrysler Sebring.

Sailcloth vinyl is also known as “single texture sailcloth.” This vinyl fabric has a woven texture with the look of a cloth top. This convertible top has superior strength and durability and excellent U.V. resistance.

Stayfast is specially made Fabric (Canvas) material for convertible tops. Stayfast is also very commonly used on replacement tops for European cars as a less expensive alternative to the Original German Canvas or Sonnendeck Canvas.
Construction: A three ply composite made of 100% acrylic square weave outer fabric, a butyl rubber inner layer and a 100% cotton drill lining fabric. Excellent Wrinkle Resistance, Superior U.V. Resistance, Superior Weatherability, Excellent Durability & Excellent Low Temp. Flexibility.
Original Equipment:
USA: Chevrolet, Camaro, Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Pontiac Firebird EUROPE: Alpha Romeo Spider, Lotus Elise, Rover MGF, Peugeot 306, RR Bentley Azure
JAPAN: Toyota Celica, Mazda Miata

Stayfast Canvas is a three-ply composite. It is a tightly woven cloth canvas. The yarn is solution dyed before it is woven to keep the color uniform throughout. Most domestic convertibles that came with a cloth top were originally Stayfast. Stayfast is more expensive than the vinyl options. This convertible top is a superior product with excellent wrinkle and U.V. resistance. Weatherability is superior and excellent durability and has low temperature flexibility.

Sonnendeck is basically like Stayfast canvas but it has textured backing. A basic description of the Sonnendeck in the Auto trim industry is American Stayfast with German backing (Black or Biege backing).
Construction: A three-ply composite made of 100% acrylic twill weave outer fabric, anelastomeric inner layer and a polyester/cotton dobby weave lining fabric homogeneously dyed. Superior U.V. Resistance, Superior Weatherability & Superior Durability.
Original Equipment: Aston Martin DB7, Audi Cabriolet, Jaguar XK8, BMW Z3 Roadster, BMW Z8 Roadster, 98 & up Chevrolet Corvette, BMW 3 Series Cabriolet (E36), Opel Astra & VW Golf III

Sonnedecke is an American fabric copy of the German cloth. This is a premier material also known as “twillfast.” It is an American made canvas with true double texture. It has the “dobby” weave that you see in Mercedes and other German cars. Porsche, Mercedes and BMW owners will spend a little more to see that “dobby” weave. The underside color can be beige or black. Sonnedecke will wear a little longer than Stayfast. Sonnedecke is becoming the preferred material by many European convertible top manufacturers. Sonnedecke is an upgrade from Cabriolet, Pinpoint, or Stayfast.

No description is needed. It is the Original German Canvas.
Construction: A three-ply composite made of twill weave outer fabric, rubber inner layer and a dobby weave lining fabric. Original Equipment: VW New Beetle Convertible, Mercedes, Porsche, Saab 9-3 & Volvo C-70

German canvas is the original canvas used in many Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW convertibles. This is the longest lasting top between the three canvases. This is due to an abrasion resistance on the exterior canvas. This convertible top is also the most expensive fabric.

Eurotop is also known as “double texture” pinpoint vinyl. The outside is pinpoint vinyl and the inside lined with cloth. The texture and look is the same as pinpoint vinyl.

Eurotop costs a little more than single texture pinpoint and is a little more durable. Because of the extra layers this convertible top has superior weatherability, strength and durability. It also has superior U.V. resistance with excellent low temperature flexibility.