How to care for manual convertible top?
 

Hi, I have a 1979 Super Beetle and the last time I put the top back up - years ago - it was really hard to lock those roof handles into place. Now I'm getting the car out of storage and running again, and wonder what I should do to help make it easier to take down/put up the top. Has the vinyl dried and shrank over time? The manual says, only to oil the pivot points, but what else should I do to care for it?
-Thank you!