bkiehn

So i noticed that the manual says to never go through an automatic car wash with a soft top. Is this true? I have seen Jeeps with soft tops go through car washes before so I wasnt sure.

Also, any suggestions on a good wheel cleaner to use for the Sahara 18" wheels.
I have always had to experiment around with my other cars untill I found the right brand for that wheel, and wondered if anyone knew what worked best.

Thanks.

HappyCurmudgeon

I am afraid to put mine through an automatic wash.

I have heard you can do it, but it wears the top out faster. I wonder if it is more that the waxes and harsh cleaners get sprayed all over the soft top, or that those big heavy towel-like dragging things would wear on the top?

This is a good question. This is my first soft top vehicle.

directedby

The concern is with older carwahses - it has to do with the big wheel (sensor) that rolls along the roof of the car.

Sometimes these wheels can damage the top or tear it.

I had a soft top jeep and took it through maybe 50 car washes and it was fine.

biglynny

I realize some owners have limitations like if they live in an apartment complex with limited hose access or cold weather freezing up hoses left outside. But guys ( women included ) hand wash your rig. What's it take 10-15 minutes if you set your mind to it and get a systematic approach down pat. Automatic washing systems are really tough on paint and tops as a general rule.

Ge99ne

Did that drivethrough have the giant blowers that blown down at the end? I thought those also looked a bit intimidating. Not the direction wind generally hits the top from.

Also was thinking if you run after a truly filthy vehicle, or you are that guy, that the flaps would drag the dirt across your plastic windows, scratching them in the process.

Robar

There are a lot of laser car washes around here. Nothing touches the vehicle except soap and high pressure water with a blower at the end. It will let you know if you have a leaky freedom top.

Jeepaki

Good point about the flaps dragging dirt and such across the softop windows..never thought of that. I prefer to handwash my Jeep in the driveway on a nice day

Ge99ne

I've been hitting the old school do it yourself wand wash with the brush. These things promote beating the hell out of your jeep. The hose is constaltly wacking the side of the jeep I end up hitting the brush against some protruding portion of the jeep everytime. On the upside I can direst the high pressure water in such a way theat it doesn't hit the zippers directly. So far the inside seems to stay dry. I still keep a rag to wet & clean the plastic windows. I'm pretty sure the brush will leave marks. My bigest goal with the soft top is to have the windows still as clear as possible when I have to replace the top. I don't want foggy windows to be the reason it gets replaced.

jamesr

Automatic car washes, even brushless are terrible on soft-tops and even hard on paint.

hand wash

If you are off-roading, use the car wash(manual one) to spray off the mud. Just stand back some, then hand wash it.

ericdewayne

And you can drink an ice cold beer while you handwash your rig!