Hi. I just signed up here. About a month ago we bought my wife a 2009 Cooper S convertible. It has 55k on it and is in very good shape. My question is about car washes. What do you guys think about taking it though a touch car wash. I'm concerned about possible damage to the roof.
Thanks, John

 

First, Welcome Loki! I hope your wife and you are digging the new Cooper S. Personally, I let no one wash my car other than me. I know my tools. I know which buckets to use. I know where my products come from. I know what sponges to use on what. I know what works best for me. My wife thinks I'm a little insane when it comes to washing and detailing. That being said, I have a hard top R56 so I can't speak for that part of the body specifically. However, I did find this helpful video that may get you started in the right direction:

 

Do not take a soft top car though a touch car wash. Even the touchless car washes are "bad" in that the rinse water is treated with wax. With my Boxster I either washed the car at home when I had a place where I could do that, or I used a DIY car wash. The soft top got regular rinsing and the spotless rinsing only. No soap spray and certainly no brushing.

And I never treated the top with anything. The canvas is not the protection against water/elements getting in the cabin it is there to protect the rubber sheet underneath. The canvas wants to be kept clean of any bird mess, pollen/sap and just anything. No water beading treatment because the canvas wants to be able to "breathe" to let any water dry to avoid water collecting and leading to rot or mold/mildew showing up. A rough/lumpy canvas is a sign the rubber sheet underneath is deteriorating.

 

Thanks for the info about the canvas. Looks like I'll be buying some car washing supplies.

 

Ragg Top and 303 are the leading products for convertible top care. Geyon makes a top protector that seems to bead and lasts a long time. I have had it on almost a year and it is still going strong.

 

+1 on NO car wash.
I've been using these guy's products for 12 or so years and won't consider anything else. They know what they're doing.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/
Congrats on your drop head and always remember, topless motoring is motoring at it's best.