Detailing Your Vehicle

[Anniee]

First I am not able to physically wash, wax, claybar ( whatever that is) and seal the paint on my car. I bought it in March and the salesperson did not say a word to me about getting any type of a paint sealant. So my question is this; Does Toyota even offer this sealant thing as an option when you buy the car. I guess the best thing for me to do is to call the dealer and find out if their service dept offers this. A lady that I work with bought a car about two months ago and it looks great. She says she has not had it washed since and it looks great.

Another question, is the paint so thin on the Prius that even the dust or particles in the air/wind can scratch it?

Thanks for your responses.

Annieeee

[Tideland Prius]

None of that sealant thing is offered by Toyota. It is always offered by the dealer. Big difference.

you can always go to a car wash place (a professional one of course) to get your car detailed and cleaned but it will cost you.

[Prius_Gnome]

About the Eco-friendly products:

I was browsing Amazon.com and I vaguely remember them adding a "green" section so I started looking. After a few submenu clicks, I discovered a brand called Green Earth Technologies. Just type that into their Search and a list will show up. I'm not vouching for them since I haven't tried their products or researched their earth-friendliness.

They offer, in no particular order (and prices, as of 7/13/08):
Car Wash, 16 oz, $3.88
Brakedust Remover Wheel Cleaner, 22 oz, $5.88
Organic Glass Cleaner, 22 oz, $3.88
Brake Dust Shield, 22 oz, 5.88
Ultimate Tire Shine Hi Shine Tire Cleaner, 22 oz, $5.88
Hydrophobic Rain Repellent, 3oz, $5.88
Odor Eliminator, 12 oz, $5.88, 4oz, 3.88
Anti-Fog, 4 oz, $4.88

The prices don't seem unreasonable.
Someone more adventurous and detailing-skilled than me is more than welcome to give those products a try and let us all know. There is a 5-Pack Car Care Kit With License Plate (Car Wash, Glass Cleaner, Wheel Cleaner, Tire Shine, BrakeDust Shield, license plate) for $12.88. Hopefully it's good so that eco-minded Prius owners have another option other than Mother Nature's rainwater.

Edit: 7/13/2008
You can check out their advertisement:
Green Earth Technologies

[GatorJZ]

Originally Posted by priusenvy

Zaino's instructions are exactly the same surface preparation you'd use for anyone's sealants. Your comment reveals you to be a total novice.

On all the detailing forums I hang out on (detailcity.org, autopia.org, roadfly.org), Optimum Opti-Seal and Zaino Clear Seal are the highest regarded wipe-on walk-away sealants. I don't know where you're getting your information. Biggest problem with all of them is correctly applying them (very, very thin coats, 1/4oz for whole car typically).

Ahh, another Zaino zombie. Read a bit more on Autopia and take off the Zaino glasses. Clear Seal is not particularly well received. Optimum is especially from its price point.

While surface prep is similar for both Ultima and Zaino (you do understand you have to correct the paint before you seal it?), that is where the similarity ends. Assuming without knowing you are using Z-2/ Z-2 Pro with ZFX, you are spending a heck of a lot more time applying a layer than I am with Ultima. Multiply that by 3 or 4 layers and the time savings is susbstantial. With Zaino you are getting more durability at the expense of appearance (by the judgement of most non-Zaino zombies) and ease of application. But the durability is not a big issue...I can layer a small SUV with Ultima before you can mix your acclerant in your sealant to get started.

Novice? I used Zaino for years before I finally tried Ultima. The Zaino products are going up on eBay.

[GatorJZ]

Originally Posted by priusenvy

NONSENSE. Orbital polishers don't require any special skills and cannot harm your paint. Anyone can use one.

It's rotary polishers that require skill. Orbital polishers just wiggle a free-spinning pad in little circles (orbits). A rotary actually spins, and the velocity of the pad at the outer edge is fast enough and can get hot enough to burn paint right through to the bare metal if you don't know what you're doing. Those tiny little orbits made by an orbital polisher - there isn't enough velocity there to even break down a lot of polishes, let alone harm your paint.

This post contains some very erroneous which needs to be corrected before folks run out and purchase a Porter Cable or Ultimate Detailing Machine and just charge in. The thought that you can't damage paint with an orbital polisher, while a common misconception among beginning detailers, is just that, a misconception. While it is much harder to damage paint using a PC or UDM, you definitely can.

To people just starting out, I would suggest buying one from a local detailing shop and request instruction or sign up for a detailing class either through a shop or car club. Meguiars, which also markets an orbital machine, frequently offers classes at car dealers throughout the country. You can sign up for their newsletter or check their website to find out when they will be in your area. These are all good ways to get some hands on experience before starting on your car. At the VERY least, there are several decent training videos available to watch on the internet.

You will also need some assistance in determining the proper combination of pads and polishing agents you should use. Here again, consult with your local shop or an internet forum such as Autopia. The first rule of thumb is to start with the least aggressive products and work your way backwards until you can correct your paint's defects.

[vetmann]

The detailing clay is used to get surface contaminants out of the paint surface. Usually takes a while to get that bad. It has nothing to do with wax. You need to use a wetting agent like fast shine from Griotas or some detailing spray to lubricate the surface so the clay bar glides over and will remove the paint contaminants. If the finish feels smooth when you run your fingers over it, you don't need clay. When the washed surface feels rough, time for clay.

[rigormortis]

how easy is it to remove and install the roof rubber rails? i do not know what they are called. they run along the roof on the left and right side above the doors its part of that prius sloping roof deal. im getting a lot wax resiudes down there and i want to clean under them

im able to lift small parts of it a little with my fingernail, to grab wax residues and little cotton bits