Hello all - first post, have been lurking around for a few months since I picked up this 05, new to the Chrysler, not the chassis though - as this replaced a 02 SLK320 that I had that was totaled - good story for some other time though.

I went through a car wash tonight, and one of the hydraulic hoses burst while in there, thoroughly soaking the car in oil, my main concern is the top. My plan is to bring it to a detail-er for a thorough cleaning in the morning. Does anyone have any thoughts about other ways of cleaning the top. The tab will be picked up by the car wash/station that I went through. My guess is the oil will not be able to be lifted out of the top and a replacement may be the answer.

Thanks.

 

I MIGHT go to a hand/wand wash and rinse the car off, then use my towels to dry it, but I usually just wash the car with a washglove, hose, some car shampoo and some car towels. It gets your car cleaner, does not subject you to those abusive soaps, and after hearing of all the damage done to cars at those mechanical places - I'd never consider going to one.


I really can't imagine what is going to take hydraulic fluid out. A real detailer may have an answer, and if they are successful, please come back here and enlighten us.
All I can say is, Dawn Dish soap is MY preferred degreaser for my hands or most hard surfaces.

I just don't think this is going to work out without a new top. I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

I'm curious why there was still pressure in the system.
I assume the top had been up for some time ( winter - Minnesota ), so why would a burst hose spray the top ?
How did a car wash manage to cause a burst hose in the first place ?

And like PG said above, AVOID CAR WASHES ALTOGETHER !!!

New top, you are looking at $1200 + $400 - $700 labor unless you DIY.

 

I think he means hydraulic fluid from the automated car wash equipment....not fluid from the top mechanism.

 

I would imagine that it will at least be stained. I've ruined clothing with hydraulic oil.

Make them replace it-they have insurance, I'm sure.

 

O ! - well, then that's different. Definitely new top time on their dime.

 

Yep.. Try dollar general dish soap.. then tell them new top time.. LOL


Did they put the "quest to clean" on you?


Seems to me it should all be in their lap unless you volunteered your time to see what you can do and hand them the bill for it.

 

My dime says whatever you find that is strong enough to purge the top of hydrolic fluid will certainly ruin any integrity the cloth has to repel water, even if you can get the stain out. I would tell them to replace your top. Otherwise you'll just go through the dance, give them an excape and by the time you get to find out the top is not as it was when you had them clean it and claim the new top, they will tell you it was done after their act was fixed and no longer their problem. Do you know a good lawyer? A new top, installed runs $1500-$2,000.
Rusty

 

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Let's face it your car was hosed, why should you be?

 

Finally getting back here, thought I posted an update a while ago. Played the game with the Convenience store chain, had the exterior detailed, then they wanted the top cleaned at another place which must have taken some of the oil out, but then the oil staining actually showed up more. Next step is the top will be replaced, it is ordered from the mfg. and will be replaced when it comes in. In the end it will all be fine, had to do some running around to get to this point.