Can A Jeep Wrangler HardTop Go Through A Carwash?

Jeep Wranglers were practically built to get dirty.

So keeping your Jeep clean after muddy off-road sessions and knowing the best way to do it is vital to prolonging its lifespan.

But due to its detachable nature, using car washes for your Wrangler hardtop can be a valid concern due to fears of instant or overtime roof leaks and brush dents on car paintwork.

So may wonder if it is safe for a Jeep Wrangler with a hardtop to go through a carwash.

A Jeep Wrangler hardtop can go through a Carwash. Despite leakage fears, the detachable hardtop seals properly. Once closed, it doesn’t allow water to seep in. Also, if you are worried about the use of chemical cleaners and hard abrasive brushes that could cause dents on your paintwork, you could opt for touchless car washes.

Can You Go Through a Carwash With a Jeep Wrangler Hardtop?

You can go through a Carwash with a Jeep Wrangler hardtop.

Usually, drivers draw concerned about the damage harsh chemicals, and stiff abrasive brushes can do to the car paintwork and leakage and doubts about proper exterior cleaning. 

While these concerns are valid and mostly true, most automatic car washes, use surface-friendly detergents to break down dirt for easier cleaning, and brushes help thoroughly clean tougher stains on surfaces.

It has also been proven that the Jeep Wrangler hardtop can sustain going through a car wash without leakage through the roofs.

However, if the roof of your Jeep does leak during a wash, try taking it to your dealer or have a professional take a look at it.

The safest and potentially more thorough option for your vehicle is using a hand carwash.

But hand car washes are much more time-consuming compared to automatic car washes.

A better alternative that meets the requirements of both safe and efficient cleaning is touchless car washes, which don’t make use of brushes or cloth strips. 

They offer the benefits of washing cars with less risk of damaging the paintwork.

Additionally, powerful detergents and high-pressure water jet sprays can thoroughly clean the car exteriors right down to the nooks and crannies.

Although this alternative is visibly better, it can be potentially damaging to your vehicle’s paintwork in the long run.

Especially with frequent washes over time.

Perhaps the surest way to eliminate the fear of car washes using harsh chemicals and not being gentle or thorough enough with your vehicle is to hand wash it yourself. 

Additionally, this would save you money and the concern of abandoning your car to hands that may not care enough for it. 

How Do You Clean a Jeep Wrangler Hard Top?

Use a powerful cleaning agent that is alcohol and ammonia-free and can effectively remove grease stains.

After washing, to give your car a good shine and protect it against UV ray exposure that dulls the brilliant color over time, ensure to wax the hard top’s surface. 

Waxing protects your car from scratches and adds a protective layer from harsh weather elements on its paintwork. 

Jeep Wranglers come in both hardtops and soft tops. Hardtop Jeeps are relatively easier to clean compared to Soft top Jeeps.

Both tops are detachable, and you can clean them separately. 

This method ensures that you give maximum attention to the tops and allows extensive cleaning of the car’s interiors.

When cleaning the Jeep’s hardtop, ensure to use non-abrasive sponges to avoid scratches on the car paintwork. 

Further, here’s a tip for washing your Wrangler hardtop; First, always wash your Jeep immediately after driving it through off-road terrains.

Don’t wait for the dirt and mud to clog and dry up, making washing difficult and potentially damaging your vehicle’s finish over time. 

Secondly, steer clear of cleaning products containing alcohol or ammonia.

Alcohol and ammonia-based cleaning products can discolor and deteriorate your car’s fiberglass surface over time.

, use pressure washers to blast off mud, grease, and dirt from the car’s exterior. 

How Do You Remove Mildew From a Jeep Hard Top?

Soak a non-abrasive sponge into a powerful chlorine-based bleach and apply it to the surface where you can find the spots.

After removing the spots, fill a bucket with water and some bleach and rub the entire surface while rinsing. Again, warm water is most preferable for removing mildew. 

You could also take advantage of the different mildew stain removers available on the market. They’re less stressful to use.

All you need to do is raise your hardtop, spray it with the mildew remover solution, let it air for at least an hour, and then use ordinary water to rinse it off.

Again, warm water is most preferable. After washing, polishing, and waxing your Jeep hardtop can go a long way to prevent mildew growths on the surface. 

How Do You Get Mold Out of a Jeep Hard Top?

To clear out molds from your Jeep hardtop, take the car out into the sunlight.

Roll down all windows and doors to allow fresh air to ventilate the car interiors and soak up direct ultraviolet rays that kill the fungi. 

Leave it for about 10-20 minutes. Ensure that you put on appropriate protective gear such as gloves and masks.

Some species of molds can contain poisonous and harmful chemicals; your best bet is to air on the side of caution and cover every exposed part of your body before starting.

Inspect nooks and crannies to analyze the extent of the mold spread, then apply a solution of white vinegar or a mildew remover and scrub using an old toothbrush or a hard scrubbing brush. 

Try not to scrub too harshly. Use a towel to wipe clean the surface of all scrubbed areas.

Use a vacuum cleaner to suck out excess moisture from the surface after cleaning to keep the area properly dry.  

After cleaning, sprinkle a natural fungicide such as borax on the cleaned surface. Allow it to act for at least 5 minutes, then clean the area with the vacuum cleaner.

This action helps prevent spore growth in the future.

Molds are a much more serious case of mildews.

Molds can cause respiratory allergies, general discomfort, and foul odors emanating from the car and causing discomfort to both passengers and the vehicle’s driver. 

Molds are generally unharmful, but species like the black mold can be very lethal.

Therefore, as a car owner, your health, comfort, and safety should be amongst your top-most priorities when purchasing and maintaining a car. 

Molds are caused and spread by prolonged static periods under humid conditions.

Therefore maintaining appropriate humidity in your car will go a long way to prevent it from mold infestation.

First Jeep Wrangler Car Wash, Will it Leak?

Final Comments

It is okay to take your Jeep Wrangler hardtop through car washes.

However, better alternatives to automatic car washing are hand and touchless car washes, which significantly reduce damage to paintwork to a lesser degree.

In addition, you should maintain proper vehicle hygiene to prolong the car’s lifespan. And you should avoid cleaning agents containing harmful chemicals like ammonia and alcohol.