sks144

This will be my first time owning a soft top (My 23 SL63 arrives next week)

I assume hand wash only? Any tips on how to keep the car clean if I’m taking it on a road trip? I know car washes are off limits

BLAM

Just make sure to not blast the top with high pressured water; it will ruin the top. Lower pressured water from a pressure washer should be ok.

Omega803

Get a permaplate/ceramic coating. Helps avoid bug and grime damage especially in "love bug" Florida. I do not use any detergent. Historically, about annually, I give me car a clay bar treatment to remove built up grime. Do not take top down when wet. I have been searching for the cure for break dust. Do far, unsuccessful.

JohnGigi

Ceramic brakes help.

BLAM

Would help if I had the money for it😂! Brake dust is horrible. Ceramic coating the wheels make it much easier to wash off.

sks144

My concern is how to wash it if I’m taking a long road trip down the East Coast. I hope I can find some wash bays so I don’t have to use a touch less car wash

kcirm

85% of the battle is fought with how you initially get the car.

Wheels - Carbon Ceramics
Paint - PPF the car with a self healing PPF (xpel for example)
Softtop - add protectant
Interior - PPF high traffic trim and apply protectant to leather.

After this, you can pretty much clean the car recklessly and it won't have any effect (swirl marks will dissapear). But please avoid high pressure washers for the softtop. Regular pressure is fine. You can clean it as you clean the rest of the car. Key here is consistency

e350wagon1

Sure? Always have used hi pressure on my 911‘s and never had issues… MB different?

BLAM

I use my 2700 psi power washer with 45 degree tip about 3 feet away on my soft top. If you can run your hand under it than it’s likely safe for the top.