This definitely will apply for 2005 - 2014 'vert owners. I am not familiar with the newer models but this may still help.
I finally remembered to take some photos of the process. See post #22 in this link. It may help.
https://themustangsource.com/forums/...530786/index2/

 

It also applies to the the newer verts brother. The tops on the wife's '13, and '18 are basically the same. IIRC the only difference is the latch.

 

Thanks for that. I really had no idea. It's a fine top design so I'm glad to hear that Ford kept it.

 

Have always been interested in verts and how the top holds up in time, but I've never owned one.

 

It's a small crowd that owns them overall, although I believe Mustangs are the most popular American cars that have them, followed by Corvettes.
The key to ownership, IMO, is having a garage and be willing to keep a maintenance schedule of some sort. Owners are obviously not as rigid as I am with a yearly routine, but you still have to do some work or the tops will fail. Leaks, ripping, worn threads, windows that get detached, fading, binding. the list goes on and on. I can't imagine keeping a convertible out in the elements. I'm not sure I have ever seen one last over 5 years in the elements without something being wrong with it. Maybe a place like southern California it would be possible with the nice weather, lack of snow, freezing temps, etc....No way in Florida with the summer monsoon rain season and baking sun..
The Haartz cloth material is also much longer lasting than the vinyl tops.
Knock on wood, my convertibles have never had an issue. The longest I have ever owned one is my current 2001 Trans Am. 22 years and working fine with the same original Haartz cloth. Next was my previously owned 2007 Mustang GT/CS which I sold last August. Although not owned as long as the Pontiac, I think it was doing even better. The black color probably helped over the tan on my T/A where you can notice things a bit more.

 

Bingo my friend. Having a garage, while not a requirement, is the best thing for a convertible. And of course keeping it clean, and protected. There's nothing like that perfect beautiful day, your bestie by your side, driving to nowhere with the top down like gas is a dollar a gallon. It's the best blood pressure medicing known to man.

The wife's previous '13 at the U-Drop-In on Route 66 in Shamrock, TX.

 

^^^ Great minds think alike. Our old GT/CS at the same spot.

 

^^^^ How cool is that... Great Pics guys!