Car Washing Soft Tops

mx-5 · Post by **mx-5** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 11:17 am

Hi everyone .. I'm sure someone is going to laugh at this, but is it possible
to put a soft top mx5 through a regular type car wash .. for example the one's
they have at Mobile or BP? I've never tried it but I look at one outside my
office window everyday and the question just came to me.

Just curious

Tj

Ian Watson · Post by **Ian Watson** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 11:38 am

I have taken my MX5s through car washes several times with no obvious ill
effects - the brushes just make a lot of noise.

I wouldn't recommend the touchless high pressure water car washes though -
the water jets are soooo strong that you get a good shower inside the car as
well ;-(

Ian

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 12:00 pm

I'm stunned!!

Going through a carwash!! No!

A soft sponge is the only thing that should be used. (by hand)
Not even the hand wash brushes are soft enough.
The brush scratches the surface every time it is used.
Eventually the paint is so ruined that no amount of polishing will create a
top shine.
No high pressure is required at all.
The cleaning chemicals used are aggressive and the wax lasts a few minutes
before it starts to fade.
Please... please... don't put your treasure through a carwash.

I have a regime I use. I could bullet point it if you are interested.

Colin

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 12:54 pm

Ok. I'll put it together and post it.
If you all come to my home on Saturday you can witness the deed being done

zorruno... I've not forgot the spare wheel- I am purchasing a new exhaust,
this should arrive soon and when the car is on the hoist I will take photos
under and add a few explanatory comments.
Interior lights will come soon.
Look forward to seeing you on Sat. bring a new soft sponge, a bucket and at
least two big fluffy towels.
Also of assist would be a small bikini. Oh! and someone in it.
smiles
colin

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 1:32 pm

Putting my car thru the petrol station cw 3 yrs ago only resulted in a
scratched finish and the need for a cut & polish. Speaking for only myself,
I experience minor leakage when I use the high-pressure cw equipment.

Turner, Phill W · Post by **Turner, Phill W** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 3:18 pm

Agree with colin.

I thought you must have wonderful car washes in NZ if you are prepared to run
your MX5 through. For a number of years I had company cars that I didn't
particularly love or cherish and ran them through car washes regulary...within
18 months or two years (the change over period)the cars were badly scratched.

I look after the soft top of my much looked after 94 Miata with one of the
"Mothers" vinyl cleaning products. I used to use Armorall but was warned off it
as a soft top cleaner - apparently it doesn't moisten the fabric & it tends to
leave a milky residue if not used carefully.

Phill (Aus)

mx-5 · Post by **mx-5** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 3:37 pm

Thanks all for replying. I have no intention myself of putting my baby through
one, was just wondering if anyone had been game enough to try - so please, do
all relax now *g*. Thanks for the note about the Mother's cleaning product
Phill - I've been using Armorall (sp?) not as a cleaner but more as a
protectant, but not finding it very satisfactory. It does the job fine, but if
it rains or you go down a dusty road you can imagine the results.

Many thanks everyone for your comments - always interesting to get a point of
view

Happy top down driving everyone.

Tj

Agree with colin.

I thought you must have wonderful car washes in NZ if you are prepared to run
your MX5 through. For a number of years I had company cars that I didn't
particularly love or cherish and ran them through car washes

regulary...within

18 months or two years (the change over period)the cars were badly scratched.

I look after the soft top of my much looked after 94 Miata with one of the
"Mothers" vinyl cleaning products. I used to use Armorall but was warned off

it

as a soft top cleaner - apparently it doesn't moisten the fabric & it tends

to
[...]

Post by **zorruno** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 3:46 pm

in fact colin is SO appalled at that suggestion that he has volunteered to
wash ALL our MX5s for no cost once every two weeks by hand. Polishing will
be done once per month. You must supply the polish however ...

I was only joking colin... I know you really only promised to wash TJs...
And yes - I'd like to see that regime point by point to see how different it
is from how I wash mine.

PS - a good suggestion from the UK MX5 list for people who have to wash
their cars away from a tap/hose. Someone suggested buying one of those 20L
weed sprayer bottles that you pump by hand - fill it up and take it to the
car. I thought that was a pretty good idea!

john.bayliss · Post by **john.bayliss** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 4:46 pm

Colin

I would be interested in your bullet points.

JB

"Colin" <colinp@ihug.co.nz> on 17/01/2001 11:00:17 AM

Please respond to MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>

To: "MX5List" <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
cc: (bcc: John Bayliss/ACW/NZ/AON)
Subject: Re: Car Washing Soft Tops

I'm stunned!!

Going through a carwash!! No!

A soft sponge is the only thing that should be used. (by hand)
Not even the hand wash brushes are soft enough.
The brush scratches the surface every time it is used.
Eventually the paint is so ruined that no amount of polishing will create a
top shine.
No high pressure is required at all.
The cleaning chemicals used are aggressive and the wax lasts a few minutes
before it starts to fade.
Please... please... don't put your treasure through a carwash.

I have a regime I use. I could bullet point it if you are interested.

Colin

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