Bronco Nation

car wash

likemike99
Jan 25, 2022

Rank 0

Jan 25, 2022

So I have a 2021 soft top. I am assuming a "touchless" car wash is ideal but is it necessary? do the soft tops hold up fine in a regular car wash?
ResidualGenius
Last edited by a moderator: Jan 25, 2022

Rank VI

Jan 25, 2022

#1
I thought the manual said do not go thru auto car wash with a soft top.
Bronco 202?, ResidualGenius

Team Jeff!!

Jan 25, 2022

#2
Make sure you are videoing when you go through the carwash, you will have Hella views!!!!!
ItsRocky29, Bronco 202?

Team Jeff!!

Jan 25, 2022

#3
jamtra
I thought the manual said do not go thru auto car wash with a soft top.
Bingo and common sense would say no to things heavily beating against your soft top too
hkbooner, Darrel

Rank VI

Jan 25, 2022

#4
Hand wash . Yay!
Hand with power wash. Yay!
Automatic touch less - Abstain!
Automatic Brush - Nay!

I plan to buy/build and undercarriage cleaner, since most often these are only available at Automatic washes.
Crawler Green, WhiteWalker

Rank V

Jan 25, 2022

#5
If no other choice bc cold as hell where you are maybe go for it but the high pressure jets etc. not good for soft top. You can also use a hot water pressure washer at home just dont turn it up too hot and keep the nozzle on a wide fan setting.

I only hand wash my bronco and use a long SOFT brush on soft top but I DONT scrub the plastic windows with brush, only sponge. Then phase 1 of 2 drying is back in my garage with landscape blower...works GREAT!!
Jruta, D190065

Former full size owner

Jan 25, 2022

#6
I also think they say no car wash if you have sas as well.

Rank VI

Jan 25, 2022

#7
Mandogus
I also think they say no car wash if you have sas as well.
I think you are correct there as well.
Bronco 202?

Rank V

Jan 25, 2022

#8
Welcome to the world of high maintenance vehicles. I'm learning as I go too.

Keep in mind that you aren't supposed to wipe dirt off a dry soft top. Its supposed to be wetted down and if that doesn't remove the dirt you use a soft brush. And if you need to clean it from bird crap etc, you use a high quality convertible cleaner with a brush.

I climb onto a step stool and point down onto it as much a possible so that I don't inadvertently shoot water up into any seams. A undercarriage attachment for the pressure washer came in really handy after having some fun in the mud puddles and the leaf blower made drying much faster and easier.

Look up some detail videos on YT for help on avoiding swirls in your paint.
TK1215, Lance10322

Rank 0

Jan 25, 2022

#9
thanks for the reply all. I had a convertible mustang years ago and it was fine in all car washes. I guess things change. Yeah I am in Virginia and we have been getting snow the past month. I want to get the sand, salt and dirt off my car but my hose is still frozen

Home, home on the range

Jan 25, 2022

#10
For washing in the winter months I will use a touchless wash only because South Dakota uses a lot of chemicals on the road. Getting a foam cannon for summer washing.

Rank XXXXXXVVVVVIIII

Jan 25, 2022

#11
here is what the manual saysScreenshot_20220125-123807_Acrobat for Samsung.jpg
D190065, Snowdogyyz

Rank II

Jan 28, 2022

#12
When I get my soft top bronco I plan to tryout a soft touch carwash. then assess the situation. I mean what can be the harm? I used to go through one in my wrangler soft top with no issues.
Jruta, EvlNvrDys

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2022

#13
Cornwelltoolman
here is what the manual saysView attachment 27032

Whoops. Guess we'll just ignore that car wash I went through a few weeks ago :rolleyes:
Crawler Green, D190065

Rank IV

Jan 28, 2022

#14
I have bought new cars and run them thru regular washes and seen tiny scratches develop that ended up ruining the clear coat.
Never again, it is no touch or hand wash for me. Did Ceramic Coat my Raptor and will do the same on my bride's Wildtrak.
Ceramic makes dirt just slide off with a little water pressure, no need to scrub hard or high pressure wash.
If you want to keep it looking new, no scary hanging rag or brush washes!
I would rather drive it dirty. Sometimes dirty is fun.
Wait, are we still talking about Bronco's?
Crawler Green, WhiteWalker

No Ragerts

Jan 28, 2022

#15
Here is some valuable information about properly cleaning the plastic windows of soft tops to mitigate against scratching —>

https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/soft-top-window-cleaner.8617/
Skerkenides

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2022

#16
Shoresy
Hand wash . Yay!
Hand with power wash. Yay!
Automatic touch less - Abstain!
Automatic Brush - Nay!

I plan to buy/build and undercarriage cleaner, since most often these are only available at Automatic washes.
Check this out on Amazon
JOEJET Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner, 16 Inch Under Car Washer, Undercarriage Cleaner with Straight Extension Wand and Wash Mitt, 4000 PSI Amazon has a bunch. I already bought one like this.
Ditchrunner

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2022

#17
Slownstddy
Check this out on Amazon
JOEJET Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner, 16 Inch Under Car Washer, Undercarriage Cleaner with Straight Extension Wand and Wash Mitt, 4000 PSI Amazon has a bunch. I already bought one like this.
Click to expand...
That looks promising! Now I will have to upgrade my 20+ year old Craftsman power washer!

would anyone care to recommend an electric power washer? I’d consider gas again, but seems like electrics are the way to go…

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2022

#18
Shoresy
That looks promising! Now I will have to upgrade my 20+ year old Craftsman power washer!

would anyone care to recommend an electric power washer? I’d consider gas again, but seems like electrics are the way to go…
SUNPOW Electric Pressure Washer 4-Wheel Dual Form Power Washer 2300 PSI 2.0 GPM High Pressure Car Washer Machine with Telescopic Rod, Onboard Detergent Tank and 5-Nozzle, Best for Home, Patio
I bought this one after my harbor freight one broke after 3 uses

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2022

#19
Check this deal out on Amazon
Limited-time deal: SUNPOW Electric Pressure Washer 4-Wheel Dual Form Power Washer 2300 PSI 2.0 GPM High Pressure Car Washer Machine with Telescopic Rod, Onboard Detergent Tank and 5-Nozzle, Best for Home, Patio Hope this postes better

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