With hard top cars I always went through the tunnel where the spray it with that spray wax, but I was concerned that it would stain the convertible top so I got a hand wash.

This tunnel was a brushless and faster though so I'm wondering if I should have just used the tunnel instead of waiting.

 

I confess to not reading every page of the manual so I don't know if Jaguar offers guidance on this matter. However, many other manufacturers have recommended not taking a fabric top through an automatic car wash. Wax issue aside, the top will likely become saturated with too much soap.

I hand wash, and do not use soap on the top. Just a routine spray with water and wipe down with down is enough to keep it clean from normal dirt residue. For stains, I'd use a convertible top cleaner just on those spots.

 

The guy doing my car just showed me that if you look at an angle there are these rain spots that need to be compounded out. I wonder how they got there in la on a car with 700 miles?

Any way make sure you wax your cars to protect the paint.

 

Lucky I have the vert as I do like a topless car wash. And none of those automatic machines either. Can't beat a good hand job.

 

 

Use a top protectant that has hydrophobic properties. UV protection would also be helpful.

 

No need to compound it. Just use this product. It is a less abrasive method of removing these water marks.

3D Eraser - Water Spot Remover for Cars

Also if you haven't already, you should get a "coating" for your paint instead of using just wax or sealant. Look up Opticoat/Optiguard I have used this one. It won't wear off, and it will protect the paint. There are others like CQuartz Finest, various ceramic/glass coatings. Opticoat seems to last the longest. Some details on opticoat here:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/1...y-test-review/

 

I took mine through a 'touchless' wash a few times last year that really blasts the car with water. I found the waterproofing on the roof wore off pretty quickly, so now I only hand-wash it. I reproofed the roof this spring and it's still great.

 

I only hand wash my car and fear damage to the black paint and top at a car wash. I purchased Wolfstein’s Raggtop to protect the fabric top. You can get it on Amazon.com and it does a great job of repelling water and dirt. I don’t wash the top unless it really needs it. Instead I use a large masking tape type lint roller to gently remove dirt, fuzz and anything else that collects on the top.