Soft Tops and Car Washes

cinnur

Member
Whenever my soft top JL needs a bath after getting dirty, I will use a power washer to clean things up. I don't always have the time to do it as soon as needed and am wondering if a drive through an automated car wash, with a soft top, will it be a safe endeavor?
If the soft top can hold up to a power washer, will it hold up to a car wash?
I have been tempted to try, but don't really wish to find out that it was a mistake in judgement, in this case.
 
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cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door
I actually have never taken either of my Jeeps thru an auto wash. The one time I tried to the place wouldn’t let me cause of how powerful their blowers were. They said they have ripped soft tops so stopped allowing them.
 

cinnur

Member
Well I decided to take her through the wash as a test. I did talk with the attendant before hand and he said as long as the soft top is not old and in good shape, I should be good.
I never knew just how loud it was inside an automated car wash!!
Bring ear protection!
 

ScoobyCarolanNC

Active Member
I took mine through one yetesterday because I had a free wash coupon. They turned off the overhead brush that does the roof and all was well.
 

cinnur

Member
I took mine through one yetesterday because I had a free wash coupon. They turned off the overhead brush that does the roof and all was well.
I went through with the overhead jets and all else on, which is deafening, but does help do a better job.
It is amazing how much a hard top reduces the volume!
 

Kenny-g

Caught the Bug
Enjoy the auto washes while it lasts…soon your tires and lift will make you too tall and wide to safely fit anymore 🤣

*im assuming you’ll put big tires and a lift on like we all end up doing…it’s the right thing to do after all 😈
 

cinnur

Member
Enjoy the auto washes while it lasts…soon your tires and lift will make you too tall and wide to safely fit anymore 🤣

*im assuming you’ll put big tires and a lift on like we all end up doing…it’s the right thing to do after all 😈
Already did, and I still took it through the wash.
 

Brute

Hooked
Well I decided to take her through the wash as a test. I did talk with the attendant before hand and he said as long as the soft top is not old and in good shape, I should be good.
I never knew just how loud it was inside an automated car wash!!
Bring ear protection!
You might want to take off the doors and top, chug a few beers and put on a pair of googles to see how that goes...
 

Spazbyt

Hooked
Have I told the story about that time the dealerships car wash took my 52" light bar off the mounts and then it dangled on the side of my passenger door by the wires until the side brush ripped it off completely? That's a good story.
 

cinnur

Member
Enjoy the auto washes while it lasts…soon your tires and lift will make you too tall and wide to safely fit anymore 🤣

*im assuming you’ll put big tires and a lift on like we all end up doing…it’s the right thing to do after all 😈
My Wrangler fit into the car wash, but not in my garage anymore.
 

Twist512

New member
Never taken a jeep through a auto car wash. Always used the car washes that gave you a bay that you feed quarters into... the ones with the wands that have different settings.

That or in my driveway.
 
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