Would it be safe to take my convertible through a car wash - instead of jet washing it all the time? I have been told that it would be ok to do so, but im not convinced.
Apart from the fact that a car wash may cause water to leak through your hood, they're also extremely bad for your bodywork, so i definitely wouldn't take a new car through one! Contrary to what the car wash people will tell you, plastic roller-brushes pounding on your bodywork dull the finish. Jet washing may be a bit of a chore, but you'll appreciate the effort in the long run.
I was told it was madness as you shouldn't really wash a hood. You should wipe clean, like leather and condition and water proof it - so when it does rain - the water beads off it.
The high pressure jets of a car wash and rotating brushes may well damage the hood.