Touchless or Tunnel Car Wash for convertibles?

[samson]

I know the answer is always neither - wash by hand. But as we approach the winter months I'm curious to know which type of automated car wash is better for a Mustang convertible? Mine is black so I shutter at the thought of those 100mph spinning foam brushes slamming into that beautiful paint job. On the other hand, I worry about the chemicals and high pressure water jets you get with the touchless system. Also concerned about water getting in during the process.

So if you have to pick your poison, which is better for a convertible and why? Also curious to hear experiences from folks that have already run their '24 convertibles through car washes.

Sponsored

 

[Pmamba]

I’ve went through the touchless gas station car washes a few times. Never had any issues. Nothing has leaked, top didn’t move around during the high speed dryer part.

I would not use the touch one. I would imagine that probably leaves swirls eventually.

 

[Coosawjack]

Subscribing since I've been more concerned about the multitude of chemicals they use and how they may affect the top material??

 

[Bikeman315]

Do you have the option to use a waterless or rinseless wash? If so there are many great options. A regular brushed car wash is verboten. If you use one we will find you and take away your Mustang. If your car is really filthy then a brushless wash could be acceptable. I would speak to the manager and/or owner to find out what products they use. You could also find a local hand wash place. That’s what I did when I lived in NJ. It was worth every penny.

 

[Coosawjack]

They all say "NO PROBLEM" nothing to hurt cloth convertible top.......whatcha expect??

 

[aross99]

Another thing to watch for is to make sure you avoid any car wash with a "track" that you have to drive in. With low profile tires, your rims will end up getting scratched when you go through.

If you have to go through a car wash, I think the touchless models where you just drive in and stop and then the machine moves forward over your car work best.

 

[samson]

Another thing to watch for is to make sure you avoid any car wash with a "track" that you have to drive in. With low profile tires, your rims will end up getting scratched when you go through.

If you have to go through a car wash, I think the touchless models where you just drive in and stop and then the machine moves forward over your car work best.

I'm kind of leaning in this direction. I also like that no one touches your car during the process. I'd rather dry and shine up my own car.

 

[4ksk416]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The car will be fine. I take my 24 into a tunnel wash with a drive on track. I wash it occasionally at home when I have a few hours to spare. Sometimes I need to get sap and other contaminants off quickly and drive through car wash is my go to.

 

[MAT1955]

@samson ..... absolutely the answer is never in a car wash. Have owned 5 convertibles. Car washes are highly destructive. Take your convertible to a hand wash site and put towels (I find two large work) around the perimeter at the back where the top meets the trunk so no water pools there. Then holding the spray wash wand well away from the car do your car's body with a soap setting. Then using the soap wand I blast the wash brush's head to get the last guy's dirt out of the brush head, then I use the cleaned wash brush to scrub the body LIGHTLY, then finally holding the wand (on rinse setting) well away from the car's body while I rinse it. Then I drive it outside and hand dry it. To wash the top I do it with a bucket and a sponge with zero Ph soap (I like Maguire's) I gently wash the top then rinse it. After that I lightly pat dry the top with a black towel. If you want to save money on car washes just go to any convertible top repair shop as they give free coupons to car washes. :-) Attached is a picture of my 2014 Mustang convertible which I just sold to a friend when I bought my new 2024 GT Premium Convertible. The 2014's original top in 5 star shape. Paint in 5 star shape (wax with Maguire's gold standard carnauba wax) Treat these tops with respect and they will last 10 years. As my grandfather used to say to me - "do it fast, do it cheap, do it right - pick one.".....BTW I just will add the 2014's top (at ten years) is still in great shape. Good for at least another 5 if my friend looks after it.

 

[RLE55]

Griot's Spray-On Car Wash--waterless. Used it all the time in winter and when racing, it works.

 

[Radiant]

Don't put a convertible in a car wash. Full stop.

Pay someone to hand wash it if you don't have the time, there are plenty of detailers who will literally come to your home or work and do a proper 2-bucket wash-and-dry and won't wreck the top.

 

[glenng6]

Do you have the option to use a waterless or rinseless wash? If so there are many great options. A regular brushed car wash is verboten. If you use one we will find you and take away your Mustang. If your car is really filthy then a brushless wash could be acceptable. I would speak to the manager and/or owner to find out what products they use. You could also find a local hand wash place. That’s what I did when I lived in NJ. It was worth every penny.

I have only hand washed, thus far. But I know I will be taking my black GT Premium to a hand wash place, close to my home. I am not willing to take a chance on spinning brushes. Glenn

 

[Wiley Marmot]

@Bikeman315 I have a family member, whose IQ is exceeded only by their "lack" of good car ownership skills. They bought a set of nice running boards for their spouses full sized 4 x 4 pick up. Then a few weeks in; ran the truck through one of those old school car washes with the giant rotating "beater drums" of fiber fingers (as opposed to the touchless car wash across the road!). Some how; one (or more) of the drum fiber fingers snagged the driver's side running board and ripped the ****er off the truck; then beat the living **** out of that side of the truck. The Car Care Guru just sat there until the wash (and the "no extra charge" mangling of the running board and truck side) was finished. OMG!

Their spouse was not happy!

 

[S650_Ponygirl]

@samson ..... absolutely the answer is never in a car wash. Have owned 5 convertibles. Car washes are highly destructive. Take your convertible to a hand wash site and put towels (I find two large work) around the perimeter at the back where the top meets the trunk so no water pools there. Then holding the spray wash wand well away from the car do your car's body with a soap setting. Then using the soap wand I blast the wash brush's head to get the last guy's dirt out of the brush head, then I use the cleaned wash brush to scrub the body LIGHTLY, then finally holding the wand (on rinse setting) well away from the car's body while I rinse it. Then I drive it outside and hand dry it. To wash the top I do it with a bucket and a sponge with zero Ph soap (I like Maguire's) I gently wash the top then rinse it. After that I lightly pat dry the top with a black towel. If you want to save money on car washes just go to any convertible top repair shop as they give free coupons to car washes. :-) Attached is a picture of my 2014 Mustang convertible which I just sold to a friend when I bought my new 2024 GT Premium Convertible. The 2014's original top in 5 star shape. Paint in 5 star shape (wax with Maguire's gold standard carnauba wax) Treat these tops with respect and they will last 10 years. As my grandfather used to say to me - "do it fast, do it cheap, do it right - pick one.".....BTW I just will add the 2014's top (at ten years) is still in great shape. Good for at least another 5 if my friend looks after it.

Gorgeous 2014! I also sold my '14 to purchase my new 2024. I was the original owner of my "Ruby" and she looked amazing until the day I let her go, including the top. Very well cared for. I lived in Michigan for 9 of the 11 years I had her and during that time, she was stored during the winters. However, I did put her through a few car washes here and there out of necessity (some months still too cold to hand wash). Washed by hand the majority of the time though with determination to preserve the body and top. You can see how great the top looked after all that time due to the hand washing and careful preservation. These pictures were just taken this past February. As much as I love my new GT, I do miss her!

 

[MAT1955]

@S650_Ponygirl ..... agreed some days it is just too cold to hand wash but not where you are now......and I do get it that some people have to use car washes. You did indeed have a beautiful 2014 GT. Quite a difference in power and handling between the 2014 and 2024. It looks like your 2024 is Vapor Blue Metallic. Mine is too - get so many compliments on that color.

Sponsored