Your Jeep makes a statement when it's wearing the soft top, one that's fit for an off-road machine eagerly waiting to hit the next trail. And while we love a good-looking muddy Jeep any day of the week, what if you're going out to dinner or picking up a date?
What we’re trying to say is that there is a time and a place for a muddy-looking Jeep, and sometimes you'll need to wash your soft top. While this is something you can do manually, you might be wondering – can my Jeep soft top go through a car wash? This article answers this question and much more.
Can Jeep Soft Tops Go Through Car Washes?
Jeep soft tops can go through car washes, but only if it's the right type of car wash. Some car washes use brushes that are too harsh on the material, which will cause scratches, tears, and other types of damage.
On the other hand, some car washes use touchless cleaning bays, which don't have spinning brushes. These car washes are a safer option, but it's important to note that they use high pressure that might cause leaks, tears, and damage to the hardware.
It's also important to note that the type of soft top will influence whether or not it can go through an automatic car wash. For example, OEM soft tops and OEM-style replacements will hold up better under high water pressure. On the other hand, more niche tops like a Smittybilt Extended Top will immediately fold under pressure because they're only made to function as a sun shield.
Overall, automatic car washes aren't the best idea for your Jeep soft top. You’re always better off cleaning the top on your own or taking your Jeep to a specialized car wash that does it by hand. While it will cost more at these car washes, you don't have to worry about the damage that automatic car washes may cause.
How to Wash a Jeep Soft Top at Home
Everyone knows how to wash a car. You go to the store, grab some soap, a sponge, and if you’re feeling yourself, maybe even a microfiber towel. If you’re going for the complete package you may even grab some wheel cleaner, wax, or a ceramic coating.
While these are all effective ways to clean the paint and wheels of your vehicle, what about the soft top? Applying soap can help, sure, but it won't be as clean unless you leverage a lot that's made for cleaning soft top materials like vinyl, sailcloth, and cloth. We cover detailed steps to help you wash a Jeep soft top below.
1. Pre-Rinse
The first thing you should do is pre-rinse the soft top. Use a hose and don't go too crazy with the water pressure, but make sure you remove dust and debris to start. Don't forget to hit the windows as well!
2. Use a Soft Top Cleaner
When you want to clean your Jeep soft top the right way it's a good idea to use a Jeep soft top cleaning kit, like the one offered by Bestop. Cleaning kits for your soft top will include sealant, soap, and other cleaning products that help you preserve the integrity of your soft top while keeping it clean.
To use most cleaners, you'll want to apply them to the surface of your soft top with a spray bottle, and then let it soak in for a few minutes. From there, you'll need a microfiber cloth or soft bristle brush to clean the top.
Then, the last part of this process is rinsing the top again with a hose.
3. Lubricate the Hardware
You may also want to consider lubricants, like <a href=”Bestop-Soft-Top-Zipper-Cleaner-Lubricant.html”>zipper lubricant</a>, which will keep your hardware operating smoothly. Depending on the soft top, there may be additional accessories or components you need to lubricate, so check on any moving parts during the process.
4. Dry the Soft Top
Next, you need to dry the soft top. While any towel will do, we always recommend going with a microfiber towel. Also, avoid using any heat sources to speed up the drying process. It's always best to do these things by hand when you're working on soft tops.
5. Seal the Soft Top
Last but not least, seal the soft top with a soft top protector. Most cleaning kits come with one and it should only take a few minutes to apply. These sealants are handy because they prevent UV damage, damage from dust, and the growth of mold and mildew.
Keep Your Jeep Soft Top Clean with ExtremeTerrain
Your Jeep soft top shouldn't go through automatic car washes because it will damage the material or cause stretching and scratches. Fortunately, at ExtremeTerrain we offer cleaning kits that will help you manually clean your soft top to keep it looking fresh and healthy.
Whether you need to wipe down the windows with a window cleaner or touch up the plastic windows, we have your back with cleaning supplies from the best brands in the industry like Bestop.
