Can I take my convertible to the car wash?
During the summer months, a common question from customers is: Can I safely drive my convertible through the car wash? Our Dutch editors investigated the matter and asked a few car wash owners in The Netherlands what’s wise. “We do not use hard materials, but soft textile fabrics. A soft top will not be roughened up because of this.”
Many car enthusiasts still worry about washing their convertibles in a car wash, but there’s no need. “Your convertible can simply go through the car wash,” says a spokesman of De Wasstraat De Meern near the city of Utrecht. “Unfortunately, (in Holland) it’s not really weather for convertible these days. But it is the perfect time to wash your convertible and get it ready for the summer days.”
De Wasstraat does not use hard brushes but foam ones. “This will not damage the top. Do you choose the wash program with a wax? The roof of your convertible will then be impregnated by the wax, making it water-repellent and quicker to dry after a rain shower.”
Water-repellent roof
Eliëns Car Wash Area in Veldhoven has a similar story. “With high pressure at a safe level, the fabric roof is first cleaned in the car wash. The dust that is hidden in the pores is removed so that it cannot cause a green or brown shine later on. We do not use hard materials, but soft textile cloths. A soft top roof will not be roughened as a result.”
Eliëns also mentions the possibility for a wax. “This makes the roof water-repellent and thus it dries quicker after a rain shower. The roof of your convertible will look like new.”
Cabriolet Mode
Some car washes even have a special cabriolet or convertible mode. “This reduces the water and brush pressure on the top during the wash”, says a spokesman for car wash company Washin7 “The roof of a convertible is often made of canvas or fabric and therefore needs to be treated with care. It is important to avoid discoloring or damaging the material during the cleaning process.”
And if a client still is in doubt, simply offer a hand wash in one of the wash bays.
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