If you care for your vehicle, then you know that, from time to time, it requires a proper scrub and wash. If you’re the owner of an off-road vehicle, like a Jeep Wrangler, you’ll have to do it more frequently. And I’m not talking about just regular water splashing, but about a proper carwash treatment. But can you take a soft-top Jeep through a carwash?
No, going through the automatic car wash with a soft-top Jeep Wrangler is not recommended. Simply, the soft top can easily be damaged by brushes and chemical cleaners. So, if you want to wash your Jeep, use a touchless car wash system. It will save your top and plastic windows from damage and scratches.
But don’t fall into despair, there are several safe solutions and ways to wash your soft-top Jeep. Read on and find more information about it.
Can you take a soft top jeep through a carwash?
Even though many car wash services advertise their machines as cutting-edge technology, with powerful, yet gentle cotton brushes that do the work against dirt and mud without damaging your car, do not take it for granted.
Simply, there’s always a probability that tiny pieces of glass, rock, or any other hard debris are stuck in cotton fibers, which can damage not just the soft top of your car, but also metal or plastic parts.
So, what are the alternatives? How to get rid of mud, dirt, and dust from your soft-top Wrangler? There are 2 proven ways for that:
1. Water pressure car wash
Water-pressure car washes use high-pressure jet washers which effectively and safely wash your vehicle. Since there are no brushes, the risk of scratches and paint damage doesn’t exist.
Even though they use different types of chemical cleaning agents, in most cases those aren’t strong chemicals and they’re pretty much safe for your Jeep.
Still, just like any other system, the water pressure car wash system has its pros and cons, so let’s have a look at the table below to find more info about it.
| PROS | CONS |
| It will not remove hard stains you may expect a minor leakage through your soft top | It will not remove hard stainsYou may expect a minor leakage through your soft top |
2. Hand car wash
If you’re not in a hurry and you have to deal with dried mud, I recommend you to use a good old-fashioned hand car washing service.
They’re a bit slower, yet a safer option to wash your Wrangler. If you’re driving a soft-top Jeep, I highly recommend washing your vehicle this way.
This way, you’ll be sure that your soft top won’t suffer any damage or scratches. Some car wash services even offer high-pressure air drying.
It will dry your Wrangler quickly and prevent water spots. This is especially useful if you’re driving a black Jeep which is extremely sensitive to any sort of dirt.
Cleaning a Jeep soft top
If you care for your Jeep and are afraid that car wash service may damage the soft top of your car, DIY cleaning a Jeep soft top is a good option for you, you just have to follow some basic rules and steps:
- Wash your soft top with a pressure hose (you can find it in every store)
- Use a sponge and car shampoo to cover your soft top
- Rub the surfaces (don’t forget seams and corners)
- Rinse the soft top
- Collect the excess water with a microfiber towel
- Leave it air-dry for some time
- Coat your soft top with a hydrophobic protective agent
How to get mud stains off a Jeep soft top?
If you’re wondering how to get mud stains off a Jeep soft top, I would recommend you avoid using strong chemicals and use some basic cleaners instead.
Strong chemicals can damage or bleach the soft top, so my primary choice is basic car soap and a gentle brush.
Cleaning mud stains is more about even, gentle, and circular moves, so all you have to do is have a bit of patience, and mud stains will disappear.
Cleaner for Jeep soft top
Soft tops are usually harder to clean than hard parts but it doesn’t mean they can’t be cleaned. There are many specialized soft-top cleaners on the market.
But, before you apply your cleaner to the Jeep soft top, I recommend you start with warm water. It will soften the stains and remove some of them.
After applying the soft-top cleaner, leave it for some time to react with the dirt, and then rinse it. If the stains are still there, repeat the process.
The cleaning agent is important, but you mustn’t forget the cleaning frequency. Washing and maintaining your car regularly will deliver maximum results to you.
On the contrary, you can’t expect miracles if you wash your Wrangler once in a while.
How to clean soft-top Jeep windows?
When you’re in doubt about how to clean soft-top Jeep windows, the cheapest and safest option is to use warm water and mild detergent. There are also some specialized products on the market.
Here are some guidelines and advice to remember about your soft-top windows:
| DOs | DON’Ts |
| DO use a soft, cotton mop to wash and gently wipe your vinyl windows DO wipe the windows in even right-left moves DO use a dry cotton mop to dry the windows after washing DO use a specialized protective agent to protect the vinyl | DO use soft, cotton mop to wash and gently wipe your vinyl windows DO wipe the windows in even right-left moves DO use a dry cotton mop to dry the windows after washing DO use a specialized protective agent to protect the vinyl |
Soft top Jeep window cleaner
If you really care for your Jeep Wrangler, you have to clean and maintain it frequently.
Washing soft-top windows a few times a year is simply not enough and, if you want to keep your windows clear and shiny, you have to follow some basic cleaning rules:
- First and foremost, don’t use any cleaner containing alcohol and ammonia. These cleaners, usually very effective with glass window cleaning, will dry out your vinyl windows, which will, consequently, lead to window cracks and discoloration.
- Start with warm water and a microfiber towel. Wipe it in even, gentle left-right moves and, after every few moves, wash the towel and change the water when it gets dirty.
- Apply the soft-top Jeep window cleaner. You can find many effective products on the market. These cleaners are based on mild soap and detergent chemicals that will not damage the vinyl.
- Dry the window with a dry microfiber towel. Naturally, vinyl will not absorb the excess liquid, so you don’t want it to drip off the window into your car
- Apply the protective, hydrophobic agent to your windows. It will give you an extra layer and additional protection against the sun, water, and other forces of nature.
Care for Jeep Wrangler soft top
It’s simple, your Jeep Wrangler is an off-road vehicle and it easily gets dirty. That’s an inevitable truth and you can’t beat it. What you can do is wash and maintain it properly and frequently.
If you care for your vehicle, Care for Jeep Wrangler soft top shouldn’t be a matter of choice, but a MUST.
Care for your Jeep Wrangler soft top should consist of two interconnected processes:
- The first process is frequent, detailed washing. If you don’t want to spend money on special soaps for soft tops, you can clean them with warm water and a gentle brush. For more persistent stains, use a mild detergent and soap and brush it gently. In the end, dry the soft top with a dry, clean mop and leave it air-dry for a while.
- The second process is the appliance of different protective, hydrophobic agents. If your Wrangler has a canvas soft top, buy a special canvas hydrophobic spray. For the best results, spray it evenly in at least 3 coats and leave it dry for at least 10 minutes.
Wax for Jeep Wrangler
Regardless of which type of driver you are and how much you pay attention to your Jeep, taking care of it and making it shiny is something that always makes you satisfied.
Even the biggest adventurers occasionally get a desire to take their Wrangler into mint condition.
So, how to take your Wrangler back to the old paths of glory? One of the simplest ways is a wax appliance.
It’s the perfect way to cover up the scratches and make your Jeep shiny again. Still, there are plenty of different products available on the market and some of them have disputable quality, which may cause the opposite effect.
Jeep Wrangler soft top conditioner
For many Jeep enthusiasts, taking care of their Wranglers is a matter of pride. Since the Jeep soft-top is one of the most sensitive parts on it, you have to take proper care of it.
Hence, my recommendation to you is the SOFTTOPP Jeep Fabric Top Cleaner & Protectant Kit. It’s probably the best Jeep Wrangler soft top conditioner on the market, developed exclusively for Wrangler’s soft top and other soft parts.
Lubricate zippers on Jeep soft tops
Even the best zippers, like the ones you have on your Jeep Wrangler soft top, harden and freeze up after a while.
Simply, days, months, and years of snow, sun, dust, dirt, and other harsh elements do the work, which leads to your zipper’s underperformance.
Therefore, the solution for you is to lubricate zippers on Jeep soft tops. There are many different zipper lubricants available on the market, so I recommend you buy yourself one. It can save you a lot of time and nerves.
How to take a soft top off a Jeep?
If you’re a newbie among Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts, then may wonder how to take a soft top off a Jeep. Don’t worry, removing the soft top from the Jeep Wrangler is a pretty much straightforward process. All you have to do is to follow 6 basic steps:
Step 1:
Detach sun visors and move them aside. Release the header latches from loops above the windshield by lifting them.
Step 2:
Unzip and remove quarter windows from the outside. Be careful and place them somewhere safe to avoid scratches and sun exposure.
Step 3:
Unzip the rear window with the right-to-left move and detach it from the soft top. As in the previous step, place it somewhere safe.
Step 4:
Release the rear sail flaps on the rear corner by pulling them down. Once detached, fold them on the top of the soft top.
Step 5:
From the front seat, press the latch pedals above the door jams to release the side bows.
Step 6:
Fold the soft top into W (accordion) style and tuck it in neatly.
FAQs
Below you can find some frequently asked questions about Jeep Wrangler washing and protection, I hope you can find them useful.
Can a Jeep Wrangler hard top go through a carwash?
Yes, you can. There should be no problem when you do so. Hard top Jeep Wrangler, like any other vehicle, doesn’t have risks of scratches and water leakage in regular car washing services.
Can you wax a Jeep Wrangler hard top?
Yes, you can wax your Wrangler hard top freely, those are made for it. It’s recommended to wax it, as it will extend its lifespan.
How often should I clean my soft top?
The recommendation is to clean your soft top approximately once per month or when it’s dusty and dirty. Immediate reaction will affect your soft top lifespan.
Summary
To sum it up, maintaining your Jeep Wrangler soft top is not rocket science, but you have to do it frequently and carefully.
When performing cleaning, try to avoid strong chemicals and use a combination of warm water and mild detergents. After the cleaning, apply the additional protective agent which will extend your soft top’s lifespan.
And that’s about it. I hope you have a clear picture of your Wrangler maintenance. Still, if you have any doubts about it, leave a comment for discussion in the comments section, or reach out to me via social accounts and I’ll gladly respond.
What type of car is a Jeep considered? More than just SUV