USe-car

I've been thinking of a convertible and how clean the top gets IF you use an automatic car wash to clean your car. Yes, yes, I know. Very few owners use a car wash. But, if you do, does the automatic car wash clean your fabric top completely or do you have to scrub it separately?

davidtcpa

I never took my car through the tunnel. I always had it hand washed. Still do. But a good product to get is called rag top.

Naaman

OP...


DO NOT run your car through an auto car wash. The first time I did it with my convertible, the top separated from the rear window along the lower edge of the window. At first it was a gap about 10cm across, but after some time, it eventually came completely off and the interior of the car was exposed to the elements 24/7.


I tried using the convertible top adhesive from the auto parts store to fix it. It is a PITA to use and it didn't even work, anyway. Ended up shelling out $1200 for a new top, installed.

Besides potentially damaging your car, you may also develop mold, depending on the climate you live in and how you use your top.

hangman

I had the same thing happen to my Crossfire when I took it through the car wash...

MZeigler

Our dealer told us when we bought the Corvette to NEVER take it through an automatic car wash, the folks on the plant tour told us the same thing.



Mike

Apocolips

Aren’t all Corvettes put through a “hurricane” style leak check at the factory?

robert miller

on both here never going thur the tunnel, and using rag top on it. Robert

hangman

That is done via jets of water being sprayed into the vette to check for leaks. The auto car wash referred here are the type where they use those huge strips of cloth that goes over and around your car. The cloth gets really heavy soaked with water and when it is on the convertible top, it pushes down on the top and can separate the glass as mentioned.

ZenicaPA

Yes but it is a non contact test. Only water touches the vehicle, not (probably) poorly maintained robotic arms with mops attached to it.

The test simulates rain, not a car wash.

lggque

Yes they are however that is different from the brushes applying pressure in a traditional car wash. The factory is just checking for leaks not durability.

jim spitzer

never a car wash, I use rag top, and a lint roller

obxchartercaptain

There are automatic car washes that ONLY use high pressure water to clean your car. You drive into it and the lower jets clean your wheels and then stop as the whole apparatus goes over the car dispensing soap then goes back over with the rinse and then again with a second rinse....you drive on and thru the blowers that dry it. Takes about 4 minutes.

dvilin

Exactly and yes your top should come out clean.

nmvettec7

This a "proven" method for cleaning a convertible top. This is my own method and applied the method to cleaning and protecting the top on my Jaguar XKR Convertible top.

Convertible Top Detail..........

Wash with soap and water.......rinse and rinse again to remove any soap residue......let the top dry.......then apply 303 Fabric Guard with a high quality 3" paint brush. Do not use the spray bottle. Simply pour the liquid into a plastic type food container or cup. Brush it on. If it foams up, wipe gently with microfiber cloth.

Brush on in 12-18" square sections. You may want to apply tape or towels around the top to make sure none gets on glass or paint. Apply liberally, don't try to stretch the product.

Be careful NOT to get any on the glass side windows, windshield and rear glass.

Let dry thoroughly.

When you wash the car, the water will bead up and just roll off.

This is some of the best convertible top protectant you can buy. I swear by the product. I will use nothing else. It will make the top look like new.

Follow these instructions and you will not be disappointed in any way. Print these instructions for further reference.

Available at Amazon

Amazon.com: 303 High Tech Fabric Guard, 16 Oz.

Order 2 - 16 oz. bottles, or one 32 oz. The 16 oz. may not be enough. It's a $25.00 investment and DIY project.

..

VETJAZZ

I've always used Raggtopp on my verts, but yesterday I washed it, let it dry and applied 303. We'll see how it compares.

FLATJ

By all means, run yours through the car wash and let us know your findings!

Rebel Yell

One of the main reasons for not running the Vette through a car wash is the car sits very low, and the tires/rims are quite wide. The guide rails in many of the washes aren't set up for that. Plus, I have never ran any of my Verts through one of the automatic ones as it will leak around the window seals from the pressure. It doesn't matter that it's a new car, it leaks because it a convertible. I have (on road trips) used the spray wand washes, but am careful around the top seals. As stated just get you some good top cleaner, and use a little elbow grease to clean it when needed. You don't have to use a top cleaner every time. Most times you only need a good soap and water with a mitt to get it clean.

gve

I went on a 5000 mile trip with my convertible and did several car washes along the way.
I also did the automatic ones where you drive in (without any steel rails or tracks in the floor) till the light comes on and then it goes around the car a couple times spraying high pressure water. As you drive out high volume air is on to help dry. I would then finish wipe dry the car with towels as needed. I never had any problem with damage and the top was clean.

Steve_R

A lint roller? Seriously?

I usually take mine to a local high pressure wand car wash. No leaks around the top ever.

But then I drive mine, even in the rain; it's not a garage queen.

USCG

It's not the Top you need to worry about so much as the BOTTOM. As Poster #17 pointed out, the car sits pretty low (lower if not stock) and both the wheels and the undercarriage may get damaged, if not hung-up altogether on the mechanism - interesting when another car behind you is being pulled toward you......