I purchased my 2017 JKU a few weeks ago. My Jeep has a softtop and was wondering if there are any issues with having the Jeep washed in an automatic car wash? Will it damage the softtop or is it OK.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

 

No issues with the top itself, except that it's likely to leak. A lot! That velcro-plus-zipper thing going on with the rear side windows is not even close to watertight in anything except ordinary downward rain.

OTOH your antenna may not like it much. I'd consider either putting in a super stubby antenna or removing the factory antenna before going through an automatic car wash, at least if it's the type with the giant rolling brushes. "Touchless" type is probably ok on the antenna (and worse for leaking).

Jeep tops are notorious for leaking and you are certain to find any and all opportunities for leaks in an automatic car wash. FWIW I hand wash mine. Plus those automatic car washes do a terrible job.

 

I agree with the above. It's not going to hurt the top itself, but you're most likely to experience some leaks due to the pressure of that water. I would wash yourself at home. Even if you use a pressure washer at home you can at least direct the flow and avoid the weaker areas like the seams and header.

 

I had an '08 4-door for a few years and my current '13 2-door for about two years now; both had/have soft tops on them for about eight months of the year. My wash schedule is about 1-2 times per month and always at various automatic car washes. During washes, the 4-door used to get very tiny leaks around the A-pillars and the bottom corners of the rear zip-out window, but these were almost unnoticeable and didn't necessarily happen every time. The 2-door doesn't leak at all.

Also, I use a weird trick that (I believe) helps to keep the fabric in good shape during the high-water-pressure part of a wash. I support the middle of the front seat area's fabric with my hands and have wife sit in the back seat to support the back seat area's fabric with her hands. This seems to make sure that the fabric doesn't "stretch" from the high water pressure. Then again, maybe it's all in my head and it's not really helping anything.

 

fun to remove the top before it says drive forward , Then just sit back and enjoy the sh%t flyin everywhere