Question for convertible owners
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Center of the Universe, Alabama
Question for convertible owners
I like to wash my own car but during the winter I put the hoses away and wrap the faucets. It's a bit of a chore dragging it all out so I'd like to use a "touchless" carwash near me. Is the water blast from the carwash something I need to avoid on the convertible top?
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While I don't own a C7 convertible, I do know that they blast every C7 for three minutes with super high pressure water from every angle to make sure it doesn't have any leaks. If there is any leak at all, the issue is remedied and the car goes through a six minute water test. Your convertible should be fine. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I use a damp sponge to wipe dust off my top. Works well sopping up water. Keeps top clean and free of lint. I would be cautious with high pressure water pointed directly at the top fabric.
Last edited by Larry/car; Jan 4, 2015 at 06:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 275
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From: Bellingham WA
I like to wash my own car but during the winter I put the hoses away and wrap the faucets. It's a bit of a chore dragging it all out so I'd like to use a "touchless" carwash near me. Is the water blast from the carwash something I need to avoid on the convertible top?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
My Vettes are away for the winter but the daily drivers go to the quarter wash during off times. I bring a bucket of soapy water with a grit guard so the dirt stays on the bottom, sponge, towels, tire dressing etc. Also waterproof shoes and rubber gloves. Even the minivan only takes 1/2 hour for a hand wash- detail. With your top...keep the spray off it and lightly spot it with the damp drying towel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Is a "canvas" top as strong as steel, or SMC ("fiberglass")? I don't think so. For that reason, I don't think I'd train the hose/nozzles of a touchless machine at a "cloth" top. Just me, but remember: that washing machine has to make the whole car look clean in one pass, which means pressure. Maybe not enough to hurt a new top one or a few times, but make it a regular happening? I wouldn't. Your car, your choice.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
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From: swoyersville pa
i first vacuum the top, that way i dont push dirt into top changing its color over time. also after vacuum there it not much of a reason to get top wet. even bird dropping clean up with a damp rag.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,008
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From: Tampa Florida
We've had Corvette convertibles since 1993. We take them to the local touchless car wash at least once a week.
Don't do anything special. Pull up, deposit the money, sit in the car and wait for the wash to finish. Then drive down the road a couple of miles to get most of the water off, pull over and finish drying it off.
Never had a problem with the tops. They are stronger than you might think and the cars don't leak.
Don't do anything special. Pull up, deposit the money, sit in the car and wait for the wash to finish. Then drive down the road a couple of miles to get most of the water off, pull over and finish drying it off.
Never had a problem with the tops. They are stronger than you might think and the cars don't leak.
Last edited by LEJ ZO6; Jan 5, 2015 at 08:55 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 897
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From: The Villages FL
I would just use a Self Wash station before I would take my Corvette convertible through a car wash. Between washes you can use a product called Fukken.com Just have lots of clean rags on hand. No water needed!