A car wash is an area with automatically working water pipes and brushes. It is a safe way to remove dirt and road salt from the frame of your convertible.
Can a Convertible Go Through a Car Wash? Convertibles can go through a car wash because their frames have seals and are water and moisture-resistant. Manufacturing companies also recommend this because it provides better cleaning.
The automated car wash uses less water and cleans the convertible and hardtop. You can take the vehicle to this facility once a month for optimized cleaning and protection from frame corrosion.
Is it safe to take a convertible through a car wash?
Automated car wash is a safe cleaning technique that uses automatic water sources, brushes, and cleaners. Many people use this facility for their convertible cars due to the following reasons.
Seals to resist water
The convertibles have specific designs and comprise rubber-based seals between the frame and panels. Also, you can see the seals between the door, window, and roof panels.
These are tight seals that have resistance to the water flow. You can take your car through an automated car wash because its frame is waterproof.
Also, the seals block the water flow inside the vehicle frame and protect it from corrosion. These seals are tight and prevent the water to the cabin through the walls, windows, doors, and hardtop.
The manufacturing companies add a high-quality membrane underneath the soft tops of convertibles, which protects the water flow.
Better cleaning
These cars can go through the automated car wash because it is one of the best cleaning methods.
The procedure involves water and cleaners that can remove dust and grime from their frames and tires.
It is better for these cars because water and soap solutions remove carbon traces and dust from them within a few minutes.
The procedure does not include commercial cleaners because they can damage the paint of these vehicles.
Also, these cars are friendly for automated car washing because of the seals and waterproof properties. The seals have tested tightness for their optimized performance and stability for water resistance.
Moreover, the hardtops of these vehicles are rigid and waterproof because of the protective seals and tightness.
Moisture resistance
You can take the car to a car wash center because all convertibles are waterproof frames. These vehicles have moisture resistance because of their specific chassis.
Furthermore, their hardtops can resist heat and water and make them moisture-resistant. Soft tops have lower moisture resistance because of their composition.
But, their protection seal does not allow the water to flow through them. The water cannot enter the cabin during the automated car washing of your convertible.
It remains safe, and moisture cannot affect the metallic parts. As a result, it keeps them protected from corrosion and damage when you drive your convertible in the winter.
Allowed from the manufacturers
You can take these to an automated car wash because the manufacturers suggest this cleaning technique. They have waterproof properties and maximum moisture resistance.
Also, their frames are stable and repel water, which prevents the metallic chassis from rusting and other damages. The manufacturers suggest this cleaning method because it keeps their frame paint safe.
It can clean the dirt and debris from their hard and soft tops. You can check your vehicle manual before it goes through the automatic car wash.
Things to consider when taking a convertible through a car wash
Cleaning and washing a convertible is better for its optimized performance and longer lifespan.
Car wash technique
The automatic nozzles push pressurized water and detergent on their frames and hardtops and soft tops. Also, the technique does not involve brushes, which keep the soft tops safe.
A few techniques are self-services, which include variable cleaning methods. Customer can clean their vehicles through these methods.
Also, the service station provides detergents, soaps, foam-containing brushes, and wax. You can regulate the water pressure and speed in the self-service techniques, which protects the soft retractable tops of these vehicles.
Soft and hardtops go through automated car washing because they have seals and tightness. Moreover, they have water resistance and are waterproof for maximum protection.
Condition of convertible
You can inspect your convertible before it goes through the automated or self-service car wash. The damaged frames and cracked hardtops of these vehicles are dangerous.
In such circumstances, the water can flow through these cracks and damage. It can affect the performance of the cabin and other electrical components.
Also, repairing the cracked parts is better before the vehicle goes through washing. The stability of this frame and sunroof is essential for maximum water resistance and safety.
Type of the convertible roof
The convertibles have hard tops and soft fabric-containing roofs. You can consider the roof style and composition material before taking it for a car wash.
However, their hard and soft roofs are waterproof because of their layouts. The soft top has a canvas roof that comprises fabric because of its manufacturing characteristics.
It cannot withstand the higher pressure of water and chemicals of the detergents. Also, soft tops can be damaged when you rub brushes on their fabric.
You can use the self-service method during the car wash and control the water pressure. Avoiding the bushes is better for cleaning the soft roofs and protecting them from cracks.
Hardtops are safe and waterproof because of their metal or plastic-based composition.
How can a car wash clean a convertible?
The traditional car wash is automatic and uses water and higher quality sprays of detergents to clean the convertibles. Also, it uses specific brushes that are soft and do not damage the vehicle frame.
These brushes can rotate automatically and clean their frames. Furthermore, it has a blower to dry the frames after washing and cleaning.
Cleaning the soft tops requires more effort and care, which protects their fabrics from damage. They have specific washing programs that provide different options.
The automatic washing system can clean them with water pressure. However, the system cleans the lower part of the vehicle when the roof is soft and comprises fabric.
The system has roof-based rollers that can clean the roofs without excessive pressure and protect the fabric from cracks.
An electrically regulated dryer can dry the water-resistant seals of these vehicles to protect them from corrosion and damage.
The automatic system applies wax on the external frames of the vehicles. In such circumstances, it protects the paint from heat and damage.
Also, the wax is stable and withstands rain and UV rays.
How much does it cost to car wash a convertible?
Car wash is affordable, and convertibles can go through it 1 to 2 times a month. It depends on their condition, dirt accumulation, and driving conditions.
The average cost for this automatic cleaning is about $15 to $40. Also, the price varies according to the condition of your car and the type of roof.
The use of pressurized water jets and detergents determines the cost of this procedure. A few service providers apply wax on vehicle frames to protect against UV rays and dirt.
In such circumstances, the procedure cost increases from the standard range and affects the budget of a convertible owner. The maximum cost of cleaning their frame with the wax application is nearly $130.
Also, the cost varies according to the location of car washing areas and their price policies.
