[Top Gon]

Is it possible to use a ceramic spray (like adams graphene) on the convertible top?
I know it’s meant for paint but what happens if it’s applied to fabrics?

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by 4DrSpra

Is it possible to use a ceramic spray (like adams graphene) on the convertible top?
I know it’s meant for paint but what happens if it’s applied to fabrics?

Long term implications are unknown. Unless you'd like to be the guinea pig, I'd advise against it.

[Bayernzeit]

Hand washing a car in the driveway is an American ritual I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid. However, where I live in Bavaria it is prohibited for environmental reasons.

That said, Germans love their cars and they’re generally more fastidious at keeping them clean than many Americans in my opinion. They’ve got some damn elaborate automatic washes here and BMW techs told me it’s no issue taking the Z4 through these. I wash the car all the time, often more than once a week. So far, so good, both with the soft top and the finish on the body.

I do look forward to hand washing and detailing when I get back to the States - it’s relaxing and another way I enjoy my cars. I also don’t trust the auto washes back home either.

Here’s a WSJ article that talks about the car wash culture here: WSJ article

[SparksInMI]

Originally Posted by 4DrSpra

Is it possible to use a ceramic spray (like adams graphene) on the convertible top?
I know it’s meant for paint but what happens if it’s applied to fabrics?

i've used 303 fabric guard on this top and on the jag f-type; use a paint brush; tape off the painted surfaces; top beads like the hood after 2 coats applied perpendicular to each app;

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by SparksInMI

i've used 303 fabric guard on this top and on the jag f-type; use a paint brush; tape off the painted surfaces; top beads like the hood after 2 coats applied perpendicular to each app;

Do you wash it with just plain water after you apply this fabric guard?

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Do you wash it with just plain water after you apply this fabric guard?

I’ve used several top cleaners, including 303 (not on the Z4 yet), and have both done rinses and a soft suds wash. The best tool, though, is a lint roller.

[SparksInMI]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Do you wash it with just plain water after you apply this fabric guard?

i just wash it as i normally would;

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

I’ve used several top cleaners, including 303 (not on the Z4 yet), and have both done rinses and a soft suds wash. The best tool, though, is a lint roller.

Using a lint roller for the soft top is a great idea, thanks for the tip!!!

[RigaTony1982]

Question for you all, as this is will be my first convertible. I also realize I'm going to get flamed for this, but in a pinch is it ok to run it though a car wash on occasion?

I live in a high-rise with a shared parking garage, so I don't really have the option to hand wash the car myself. There are some places around me that do hand washes, and I will go to those 99% of the time. Just curious for a rare occasion.

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Question for you all, as this is will be my first convertible. I also realize I'm going to get flamed for this, but in a pinch is it ok to run it though a car wash on occasion?

I live in a high-rise with a shared parking garage, so I don't really have the option to hand wash the car myself. There are some places around me that do hand washes, and I will go to those 99% of the time. Just curious for a rare occasion.

You're probably going to get someone to say it's OK. I personally would never run a convertible thru a car wash. I sympathies with your problem. JMO

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Question for you all, as this is will be my first convertible. I also realize I'm going to get flamed for this, but in a pinch is it ok to run it though a car wash on occasion?

I live in a high-rise with a shared parking garage, so I don't really have the option to hand wash the car myself. There are some places around me that do hand washes, and I will go to those 99% of the time. Just curious for a rare occasion.

Some car washes have settings specifically for convertibles where they don't do any of the top brush, or it's turned off after the hood is done type of thing.

PERSONALLY... I would not put my Z4 through the carwash for a few different reasons.
1. Debris left on the "brushes" that they use.
2. Always worried about the mechanisms that pull the car snagging on something on such a low car.
3. Doesn't get it nearly as clean especially since the Z4 has alot of small curves and areas that need a more personal touch.

It's a small car and honestly doesn't take long to wash. The only thing that takes me awhile to wash (and this is on any car) is the wheels. I spend alot of time cleaning the wheels and tires and making them look GOOD.

I use alot of brushes for the interior to get little nasties of food and dirt out of the nooks and crannies, but really... a good wipe down is all you need. As a convertible, the interior is going to be filthy because of all the dust and debris.

At the end of the day, you do you, boo.... but I would not recommend taking the Z4 through a car wash.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

You're probably going to get someone to say it's OK. I personally would never run a convertible thru a car wash. I sympathies with your problem. JMO

Yeah, this would be a VERY rare occasion. Was more or less just asking as an FYI.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Yeah, this would be a VERY rare occasion. Was more or less just asking as an FYI.

Horseman is 100% correct,

I would rather leave my Z4 dirty than take it to an automatic car wash. My baby is only going to be hand washed!

[RigaTony1982]

Appreciate the feedback. My plan is to not take it to a carwash. Was more or less curious. if people do.

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Appreciate the feedback. My plan is to not take it to a carwash. Was more or less curious. if people do.

There aren't any do it yourself car washes in your area? When they first came out they were .25 cents for five minute, now I think they are a buck a minute.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

There aren't any do it yourself car washes in your area? When they first came out they were .25 cents for five minute, now I think they are a buck a minute.

In the downtown Chicago area where I live, no. I'd probably have to venture out at least 20 minutes or so to find one.

There's a few places that do hand washes near me that I've gone to before. I'll just end up going to those.

[gkgeiger]

My last house in Ohio had heat, hot and cold running water, and a drain in the floor. Here in FL. I have everything but the drain. So I wash in the driveway, a problem when it is hot and sunny. I have to do it very early in the morning or wait for an overcast day. I can't always wash it when I want to.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

My last house in Ohio had heat, hot and cold running water, and a drain in the floor. Here in FL. I have everything but the drain. So I wash in the driveway, a problem when it is hot and sunny. I have to do it very early in the morning or wait for an overcast day. I can't always wash it when I want to.

Nice. I grew up in Ohio. Been in Chicago for almost 12 years now. Where about in Ohio?

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Nice. I grew up in Ohio. Been in Chicago for almost 12 years now. Where about in Ohio?

I lived in Akron all my life. More specifically Portage Lakes.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Question for you all, as this is will be my first convertible. I also realize I'm going to get flamed for this, but in a pinch is it ok to run it though a car wash on occasion?

I live in a high-rise with a shared parking garage, so I don't really have the option to hand wash the car myself. There are some places around me that do hand washes, and I will go to those 99% of the time. Just curious for a rare occasion.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/4K01K...giphy.gif&ct=g

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

I lived in Akron all my life. More specifically Portage Lakes.

Ha, no joke? I grew up in North Canton. Went to HS there before heading to college at Toledo. My parents and two brothers both still live in North Canton, so I head back there a few times a year to visit! Small world!

[jvilla107]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Question for you all, as this is will be my first convertible. I also realize I'm going to get flamed for this, but in a pinch is it ok to run it though a car wash on occasion?

I live in a high-rise with a shared parking garage, so I don't really have the option to hand wash the car myself. There are some places around me that do hand washes, and I will go to those 99% of the time. Just curious for a rare occasion.

I’ve had three Z4 that I purchased new. All three were Black. 2 soft tops and one hard top.
I’ve run everyone of them through the car wash on a regular basis.

I know some of you may feel like i desecrated the cars but running them 25k+ miles a year it was a necessity.

Never had any issues or leaks. JUST DONT FOLD THE TOP WET!

Love the car and am currently waiting on #4 to leave the port and get to Spartanburg.