The Dos and Don'ts of Washing off Your Jeep

Jeeps were pretty much made to get dirty. However, that doesn’t mean they should stay that way for long. After a muddy off-roading session, it’s important to take some time to clean your vehicle properly. If you don’t, dirt, pollen, bugs, mud, or other contaminants can damage your Jeep’s finish and paint job over time. That said, cleaning your Jeep incorrectly can also do a fair amount of damage. To maintain the appearance and value of your vehicle, look at our list of the dos and don’ts of washing your Jeep.

The Dos of Washing Your Jeep

• Use a Pressure Washer: When cleaning a muddy Jeep, a normal garden hose typically won’t do the trick. Instead, consider using a power washer on the Jeep’s exterior to help blast away mud, dirt, and other gunk more easily.

• Clean the Undercarriage: When washing your Jeep, don’t forget to clean the undercarriage. Though the undercarriage may be hidden from sight, that doesn’t mean that you should just let it accumulate dirt and mud. Failing to scrub the underside of your Jeep with soap and water once in a while can cause rust to form over time. 

• Be Thorough: When washing your Jeep, don’t just do a quick power wash of the larger areas and call it a day. It’s important to be thorough and wash the smaller and less visible areas as well, such as behind the bumper and wheels or around the door handles. In addition, you may want to take a look under the hood and wipe off any dirt or mud that has made its way inside.

The Don’ts of Washing Your Jeep

• Wait To Wash Off Mud: The longer you wait after getting your Jeep dirty, the harder it usually is to clean it, especially if there is a lot of mud. Once mud hardens, it is extremely difficult to remove without damaging your vehicle’s finish.
• Use Cleaners With Ammonia or Alcohol: When choosing a cleaning agent for your Jeep, make sure to avoid any products that contain ammonia or alcohol. Such substances will discolor and deteriorate the plastic surfaces on your Jeep over time.
• Go Through a Carwash With a Soft Top: If your Jeep is outfitted with a soft top, make sure to steer clear of the car wash. Going through a car wash can tear the seams, scratch the windows, and otherwise damage a soft top. As such, it’s safest to wash your Jeep by hand.

In some cases, taking off your Jeep’s top can make it easier to thoroughly clean the interior of the vehicle. To remove your Jeep’s hardtop without the hassle, check out Top Lift Pros’ innovative Jeep roof hoist. Our high-quality tool is the only one of its kind that will allow you to remove your hardtop in two minutes or less without any help. To enjoy the convenience of removing your Jeep’s hardtop quickly and easily, shop Top Lift Pros today.