05-27-2014, 01:33 PM | #15 |
"Katy"
Drives: 2014 2LT A6 'Vert Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Western New York
Posts: 1,076
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Hand wash only...
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2014 Black 2LT Convertible
Elite Engineering Catch Can, Vitesse Throttle Controller, CAI Cold Air Intake Possible next mods: Throttle Body Exhaust Upstate C5 Member No, that is not me in the avatar..... I just love hot girls and hot cars.... or hot girls IN hot cars.... |
05-27-2014, 02:22 PM | #16 |
Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southeast, PA
Posts: 2,106
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Sometimes it's reclaimed water so there is still the ability to scratch, but also the cheap soaps that they use can strip your car of any wax protection very quickly.
Can you go through it? Yes. Would I recommend making a habit of it? Nah.
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LS3 Crate Engine Swap | CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 | Stainless Power LT Headers | Z28 Intake | Borla S-Type Exhaust | FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall
2012 Camaro 2SS/RS | 1968 Camaro SS | 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury | 2021 Spark LS |
05-27-2014, 04:04 PM | #17 |
Lifetime Philly Fan
Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Central Florida
Posts: 1,862
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I run my '12 ragtop through the car wash regularly, it works fine.
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2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15
CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE] |
05-27-2014, 08:05 PM | #18 | |
LongTimeLurker
Drives: 2011 SIM 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Napanee, Ontario
Posts: 434
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Quote:
I never had any issues Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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2011 2SS/RS |
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05-28-2014, 12:44 AM | #19 |
Drives: Yes Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 646
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FWIW
For my black cloth tops, I've always used a natural-bristle upholstery attachment on a vacuum and -gently- clean the cloth, brushing lightly in two directions.
Never use nylon or poly bristles. Never scrub; you'll grind dirt into the material. For light-colored tops that occasionally get dark creases or fold marks, a name-brand convertible top cleaner and protectant works well. Be sure to get the cloth version. There's also one for vinyl. Happy motoring. |
05-28-2014, 01:39 AM | #20 |
Drives: new ss Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: new jersey
Posts: 242
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I never had a problem with notouch car washes
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05-31-2014, 07:14 AM | #21 |
Drives: 2019 2SS Convertible Camaro Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 678
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I take my '11 through a wash with the neoprene brushes regularly. No issues.
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\(^^^)/ <--A Smile From He11
Escort 360 MAXX w/DIYGen5 hardwire Harness K&N AirCharger Cold Air Intake Sound Tube Delete |
05-31-2014, 07:25 AM | #22 |
Drives: 2015 ZL1 Convertible Automatic Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Maricopa, AZ
Posts: 100
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Just thought I'd add, I treated my top with RagTop protectant this past spring. It's like Scotchgaurd for tops. Worked great.
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/wps-2...l#.U4nJ12BOU5s |
06-02-2014, 07:45 PM | #23 |
Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Orion, MI
Posts: 1,246
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I avoided any carwashes for a year, but during this last brutal winter I started using the touchless washes. I have not had any issues with leaking or damage. The only thing I had an issue with is the blow dryer seemed really forceful at one and I could see the top getting pushed down quite a bit in the rear. It seems fine, but with the notorious 5th bow issue it makes me nervous. I found one I like with a 'gentler' dryer.
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06-02-2014, 07:51 PM | #24 |
Drives: 2011 SS Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Arizona
Posts: 317
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I've heard that the touch less washes use a harsher chemical...
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2011 SS L99 - CAI, Ported TB, Air Scoop, LT and HF Cats, Borla Exhaust, Quad Tips, 3.91 gears, 1.4 lowering springs, plus some misc.
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06-02-2014, 09:04 PM | #25 |
Drives: 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Green Edtn Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 1,284
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If you do use one, DO NOT use one that has a blow dryer at the end of the cycle. If it does, pull out before the dryer starts. I almost always hand-wash my Miata, but on a few occasions I've been pushed for time and used a touchless car wash. I was impressed with how well the hurricane strength blowers dried my car. Then after a few times through I noticed that the top was starting to tear at the seam (see the heartbreaking pics). The pressure of the wind blowing straight down must have done it. I took it to an auto shop that specializes in refurbishing cars, and they said they could replace the top for $1,500.00, or for $650.00 they can take the top off and stretch the top far enough to sew it back into the seam, with no guarantees that it would look perfect or that it wouldn't leak.
Now I'm not sure if I should do either of those before selling it, or just knock that value off the price if I sell it. I figure if I trade it in, a dealer can fix it at cost, but they'll still use that to knock down a trade-in value. |
06-03-2014, 10:07 AM | #26 | |
Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Orion, MI
Posts: 1,246
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Quote:
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06-11-2014, 09:11 PM | #27 |
Drives: 2013 Black 2 LT vert Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: kansas city
Posts: 1,764
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i always hand wash my black vert. dont always wash the top. i use lint brush on it. but i hand wash, 2 bucket method, and use leaf blower to get most of water off. i have some water spots in places, but its better than swirl marks. i use detail spray for some areas. but being a black car, i try to avoid contact with wash/dry as much as i can.
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06-19-2014, 03:33 AM | #28 | |
Drives: 2013 Camaro SS vert Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 199
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Quote:
First time I went through the touchless, I noticed the dryer was really harsh on my rag top. From there on out, I simply let the dryer dry the front hood of the car. I then pull out and dry the rest by hand. The top can air dry, obviously. |
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