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      05-15-2008, 02:58 PM   #1
amybang
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Washing the convertible?

My AW car is starting to show the dirt, time for her first bath.

I know the real answer is that you're supposed to wash it with baby shampoo applied with a small lamb, and then dry it with a handful of kittens.

But, for those of us who don't feel the need to be that gentle on our cars, is there any reason why a soft top convertible shouldn't go through one of those industrial drive-through car washes?

thanks
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      05-15-2008, 03:08 PM   #2
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These days most of those are "brushless" so you shouldn't have an issue. I think in the past people worried about that top brush coming down and putting weight on the roof that would tear the fabric.

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      05-15-2008, 03:18 PM   #3
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what he said^
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      05-15-2008, 04:23 PM   #4
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I've had a VW soft top for 8 years... no problem with any of the car washes. Actually I think those damage the paint more than they do the top...
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      05-15-2008, 04:32 PM   #5
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First bath? Didn't you take delivery a month ago?
Automatic car wash?
Sorry Amy but you deserve this.

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      05-15-2008, 05:42 PM   #6
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Why not wash it yourself?? It seems like you live pretty close to me and I wouldn't trust my new car (when it gets here) in one of the local car washes in our area. At least take it to one of those places where you use tokens for time with a hose (there's a place in east somerville).
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      05-15-2008, 06:11 PM   #7
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You could always pay one of those mobile detail guys to just come to your work and wash it for you in the parking lot.

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      05-15-2008, 10:08 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bringinthewolf View Post
First bath? Didn't you take delivery a month ago?
Automatic car wash?
Sorry Amy but you deserve this.

:P

It's been 16 days. Only a few of which weren't raining or I wasn't traveling for work. And I'm in the middle of moving too. I don't have a hose and no, I'm really not likely to find a place to clean it myself. If I can pay $12 and ride through the fun machines, I'll do that. But it's supposed to rain again tomorrow, bleh.

amy!
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      05-15-2008, 10:20 PM   #9
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You can ride through the "fun machines" if you want. If it doesn't have brushes, and most don't, then go for it.

The "wand washes" are OK, too. I use them in the winter, to get rid of the salt, and when the car is really dirty, as a prelude to washing it myself.

Simply put, I enjoy washing/polishing/waxing (or sealing), so I do it myself. Not everyone wants to do it, or is able to do it. That's fine.

However, you will want to revive the appearance of the car at some point in time. In your case, I guess it would be time to get acquainted with a quality detailer.
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      05-16-2008, 01:18 AM   #10
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Good quality fabric roof requires good quality cleaning . . . that is NO detergents . . . EVER!
Lots of water, gentle brush, and lots of water . . . . followed by lots of water, and let is dry naturally. The self-service high pressure washes are good (but only use the rinse setting) for getting ingrained dirt, bird crap, etc. off, with a scrubbing with said gentle brush in between.
Detergent will only weaken the water resistency of the fabric. Same goes for those commercial "soft top restorer" products. Never used 'em, never will.

Side note: Never fold up/retract a wet/damp fabric roof. One of the few downsides to a soft top. But then, they don't take long to dry either!
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      05-16-2008, 01:25 AM   #11
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Thanks for the advice
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      05-16-2008, 11:24 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imay View Post
Good quality fabric roof requires good quality cleaning . . . that is NO detergents . . . EVER!
Lots of water, gentle brush, and lots of water . . . . followed by lots of water, and let is dry naturally. The self-service high pressure washes are good (but only use the rinse setting) for getting ingrained dirt, bird crap, etc. off, with a scrubbing with said gentle brush in between.
Detergent will only weaken the water resistency of the fabric. Same goes for those commercial "soft top restorer" products. Never used 'em, never will.

Side note: Never fold up/retract a wet/damp fabric roof. One of the few downsides to a soft top. But then, they don't take long to dry either!
Good advice. But after every 2 or 3 washes, it's a good idea to treat the top with RaggTopp fabric (not vinyl) protectant.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10101

Also, if you insist on using an automatic car wash, don't forget to remove the black radio antenna first.

Tom
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      05-16-2008, 11:50 AM   #13
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My Z4 has never been through an automatic car wash! In the winter I take it to the Do It Yourself Wand wash. If the top is not dirty I do not wash it. And never use high pressure on the top. I also use Rag Top for Cloth tops every year and after four years my top looks like new.
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      05-16-2008, 06:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IDBMW View Post
My Z4 has never been through an automatic car wash! In the winter I take it to the Do It Yourself Wand wash. If the top is not dirty I do not wash it. And never use high pressure on the top. I also use Rag Top for Cloth tops every year and after four years my top looks like new.


+1

BMW has a good rag top cleaner that I use about twice a year
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      06-23-2008, 09:57 PM   #15
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The problem isn't so much the brushes nowadays... it's the damn blower at the end they use to dry. It's so powerful that it'll push water through the seals and mess with the top.

I TRIED a PetroCanada GlideWash with soft cloth for the vert, got scared shitless when those jet engine powered turbine driers started rattling the windows at the end. I 'jetted' out of there, needless to say! I didn't choose the 'touchless' for that very reason... super high powered jets... no good!

http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/formycar/2599.aspx
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