Just purchased a convertible GT and love it. Just wondering for washing...does anyone have any experience putting their vert through "good" car washes, meaning not the gas station kind but the "touchless" kind where they detail it after? Is this OK, or does all washing need to be done more gently?

 

If you mean the ones that spray just high water pressure, They suck. They're okay if you keep your car free of any road grime but are sucky if you have anything even remotely stuck on your paint...bugs etc. That and on a vert, it's a good way to see if you will have leaks or not..

 

It shouldn't affect your top if thats your concern, but I would always suggest a good hand wash to a automatic car wash anyday, although it is starting to get a little cold outside.

 

It's safe, but why would you ever do that to your baby?!??!? [sm=rolleyes.gif]

 

Thanks for the responses...that was really my question: Is a reputable car wash (one that they drive your car through then dry / detail it) safe for a convertible top? It sounds like it would be OK from your responses.

And that's why I was asking...it *is* getting a bit cold for a hand wash.

 

Here in St. Louis we have a fanchise called "WaterWay"... good wash and good people... I use it, however I have them dry my car with towels that I bring because I don't want them using the cheapo rough rags they use.

 

My concern would be the detergent, wax and what ever other chemicals they use might damage the top over the long run. In a pinch we have run the coupe through a touchless car wash, but the vert is always hand washed.

 

you can ptrobably take it to your dealership to detail, i know most people do that here
they would take care of it properly

 

My GT isn't a convertible, but I have owned verts and automatic car washes just aren't good things for them. My GT is black with red racing stripes (I will see if I can embed a photo, but I am not good at that), and black paint and automatic car washes don't mix. I HATE washing cars, but relented with my GT and purchased MICROFIBER rags/sponges/mits/chamois. I also bought the Mr. Clean car wash system, available at supermarkets. It has a soap dispenser and a water filter so you can finish it off with a no-spot rinse. I then chamois mine dry and it comes out great. The entire process only takes about a half hour to clean the car outside, as well as wipe it down inside and vacuum. I even clean the door jambs. I highly recommend the Mr. Clean system and the Microfiber cleaning cloths. There are some spray on, wipe off touch up cleaners you can use to take off a spot or bird**** and such. Get in the habit of washing your own car once a week and then maybe paying someone to wax it (again, using microfiber cloth), your car's finish will last a long, long time. And the Mustang is so beautiful, it is worth it. If your car is black or a dark color, this is the only way to go, but any color will be helped by careful washing.

Well, it said I successfully uploaded a pic, but I can't preview it...

[IMG]local://upfiles/14190/5DDD1A37ADC44AE79231D9FF405E8AFC.jpg[/IMG]

 

Prior to buying our Oh Five, we had a '98 ragtop. Before adding the Steeda springs, the roof would leak around the windows in the automated car washes. After the Steeda springs, it wasn't a problem - the car was too low and wouldn't clear the tracking mechanisms.

The automated touchless carwash, where the car doesn't move, was even worse when it came to leaks, and it did a lousy job cleaning the car (which was white). In the colder months, I prefer to use the coin-op self washes to clean off the road grime and salt. Use your own towel - not the foam brush they have there. On weekends when it's warm enough, I give my car a good bath.