Hard top going through auto wash

[JustinJ]

I got my new 2024 wrangler with hard top but I heard from folks that it is better not to go through auto wash. I wonder why? Any reasons? Did you guys experience any problems? Thanks for sharing

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[Valpo Jeep]

No issues with our 2018

 

[dbp512]

The wash tried and beat up my antenna a few times before I finally fixed it. The last time it ended up wedged under the rain gutter, but never did any actual damage. I swapped in a stubby and it's been fine since then.

 

[Dale's Jeep]

Been through a bunch of them never anything negative. Mostly in the winter to get salt off.

 

[Terrymo]

Nothing to be concerned about. If you would take any other vehicle through a car wash, you can take a Jeep through. Lots of people hand wash to save their paint. I’m lazy and drive mine through the car wash once a week.

 

[Wabujitsu]

You’re good; I’ve done it countless times. Heck, I take my SOT through them all the time with zero issues.

 

[davewald]

You're probably hearing from people with older Jeeps, or ones who don't know how to properly fasten their tops down. I even take mine through the new Costco car wash several times a month, and drive through Seattle rain storms regularly with no leaks.

 

[Gregj]

I just remove the antenna when I take my weekly trip through the car wash.

Gregj

 

[calemasters]

I got my new 2024 wrangler with hard top but I heard from folks that it is better not to go through auto wash. I wonder why? Any reasons? Did you guys experience any problems? Thanks for sharing

It's always better to wash a vehicle by hand. That being said, I take my hard top through the automatic car wash about every 2 weeks and never had an issue. No leaks. Also, I have the Sunrider (folding canvas) roof in place of the freedom panels.

 

[NewbJLUOwner]

I got my new 2024 wrangler with hard top but I heard from folks that it is better not to go through auto wash. I wonder why? Any reasons? Did you guys experience any problems? Thanks for sharing

Hey ?
Congratulations on you're 24
I have a 2022 JLURD w Hardtop
I live in Florida and take the top off at least once a month
It's used primarily as a beach crawler, so touchless/brushless is my primary auto wash method
Especially for under carriage cleaning
However, I used another auto wash last week with the huge brushes, again zero issue
I also take the freedom panels off more than 2 times per month
ZERO issues.
Make sure you're reinstalling the freedom panels properly (drivers side removes 1st, then pass side) and reinstall is the opposite
Same for the entire hardtop. Be careful when removing & reinstalling
However, I do recommend using hand wash most of time

 

[rcadden]

Automatic (brushless or not) carwashes aren't great for your paint. But then again, neither is traipsing around offroad, so it's probably a wash (pardon the pun).

I generally hand wash mine (well, powerwash) but I enjoy the process, and I'm *super* nitpicky. However, if I've been off-roading recently, I *will* usually pull into one of those self-service ones to wash most of the mud and muck off, and then finish it at home.

 

[dsgrey]

In a bind, I've taken my sailcloth soft top through probably 2 or 3 times a year over the past 5 years without any issues. I would expect a hard top to have no issues.

 

[angrykitty]

I got my new 2024 wrangler with hard top but I heard from folks that it is better not to go through auto wash. I wonder why? Any reasons? Did you guys experience any problems? Thanks for sharing

What did the "folks" that told you this information say was the reason? I think that is a perfect place to start.

This sounds like, "one time I read a poster drawn in crayon by a PhD in lesbian dance theory that white people are racist, so obviously, white people are all racists."

The point is, question your source of information first. Following that, if you're not happy with your understanding, bring all information to the table, share it, gather additional data, then form your own opinion.

I'll answer your question anyway. Absolutely, under no circumstances, bring your 2024 Jeep Wrangler into the auto wash. You will 100% guaranteed destroy your hard top along with posing serious risk to the rest of your Jeep.

 

[angrykitty]

Hey ?
Congratulations on you're 24
I have a 2022 JLURD w Hardtop
I live in Florida and take the top off at least once a month
It's used primarily as a beach crawler, so touchless/brushless is my primary auto wash method
Especially for under carriage cleaning
However, I used another auto wash last week with the huge brushes, again zero issue
I also take the freedom panels off more than 2 times per month
ZERO issues.
Make sure you're reinstalling the freedom panels properly (drivers side removes 1st, then pass side) and reinstall is the opposite
Same for the entire hardtop. Be careful when removing & reinstalling
However, I do recommend using hand wash most of time

Florida man takes topless Jeep through carwash and drowns.

 

[Gunfighter]

Car washes are perfectly fine - if there is extreme high pressure you might get a little water intrusion, but it's no biggie. Remember these are vehicles designed to have doors and top removed.

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