Car washing paranoia

[paulisme]

I've had my Black Prius for a week now and decided to wash it for the first time today (pollen is still in full force here in South Carolina). I had already washed my wife's car and her friend's car earlier with the same sponge I used to wash my car and it was feeling kinda oily. After I got done washing it I dried it somewhat with a cotton towel. We all went out to eat, and when I came out of the restaurant to get back in the car, I noticed water spots all over the paint. After I got home, I examined the hood and saw all these little pinpoint-type spots that won't wipe off with my finger, along with the swirl marks that were already there when I bought the car. Now I'm freaking out thinking I may have screwed up the paint. What can I do to make my car look good? I'm not used to having a black car, and I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to make it look good like I could with my red Mustang.

[Smooth Operator]

I too have a black '04.

Even before I received my Prius I ordered a starter kit from Zaino (www.zainostore.com). I had to wait until the temperature was warm enough (+10 C) before I could apply it. That was Easter weekend.

The Zaino kit comes with a "claybar". After first washing with dish detergent to take off any existing wax, you use the claybar. The claybar takes off fine surface material that doesn't come off with washing. I'm confident it would take off your small particulate material.

The first application of Zaino took a while as it consists of washing with Dawn dish detergent, then claybarring, then washing again. This is followed by one or more applications of Zaino. (I did six layers over two days). Subsequent coats are much easier as they consist of one washing with however many applications of Zaino you want.

After I finished my final coat of Zaino, someone actually came up to me to comment ask what I was using as he had never seen a car that shining.

If you decide to not go the Zaino route, you can claybar anyway. Stop in at any decent place that sells auto cleaning products and waxes. They will likely sell claybar products both alone and packaged with other supplies.

[Brian]

I wash my Silver '04 every Saturday. I use a nice are washing soap, but use close to none, not even enough to make sudds on the car. When I am all done, I dry it with two great chamois. They work like a charm. No water spots, whatsoever. I decided to buy that thing from Target, the Mr. Clean Autodry Car Wash. It is very nice for washing and rinsing the car. But then came the test to so called "Auto Dry" the car. I sprayed the water on the car. Went inside, then went back outside and looked nice. When I got close, Terrible. Dried the car, but with spots. Returned it and am now back to my chamois.

[amped]

Please download and read the 60 page .pdf Detailers Handbook from Griot's Garage. It's particularly important for your Prius because Black, like White, does not have a clearcoat topcoat and should have polish and wax applied soon after delivery. All of the other colors have clearcoat, although it's still important to detail them, too.

The Handbook talks about a random orbital polisher. Don't fear these, you can't burn your paint. They work wonders, are available at Lowes (Porter-Cable 6") on sale for $80, and do a better job than any hand technique, IMHO Zaino people. Use the Griot's backing plate and special applicator pads, and you'll be amazed in every way.

Honestly, I'd ditch the sponge now. It's only holding in contaminants no matter how well you rinse, and is probably acting as a swirl inducing abrasive. I use a genuine sheepskin wash mitt from, get this, Wal-Mart. It's the Eurow brand, cost $5, and works well. Get two, one for upper surfaces, the other reserved for lower, dirtier areas.

For polish or wax removal, I use the 100% cotton USA made Cannon/Fieldcrest hand towels from Bed, Bath & Beyond, $2/ea. Wash them prior to first use with a liquid detergent, no softener, remove tags, and buy a half-dozen for drying and shining.

That's it in a nutshell. Read the rest in the link and put on your sunglasses when you're done!

[DaveG]

I usually wash mine every other week - nothing too fancy at this point - because of the great aerodynamics of the car, it stays pretty clean all by itself.

Typically I just give it a good rinse with the sprayer set to low-power, then go over with two mitts - one for the top, front, back, and upper-side panels, then one to do the windows, lower bumpers, lower sides, and finally the wheel covers.

Another rinse, then I take the nozzle off of the end of the hose and just use a low-power stream of water to remove the water droplets (the stream causes the water to sheet-off as opposed to bead from a spray-head). Then a super-absorbant car drying cloth to dry the car.

All in all, takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to do a good job of it. I usually also clean the door frame out and spray-off the rubber mats inside the car as well.

I've waxed mine once with regular car wax (be really careful to keep the wax away from the black trim/rubber, it can be a real pain to get off). Once it gets a little nicer, I'll probably zaino mine as well.

Dave.

[paulisme]

Wow, thanks for all the advice. I think I'll go to Target today and get a chamois and a new sponge/wash mitt.

[Brian]

Target has some great chamois. There are some in a tube that work real good, after they are wet, though.

[Smooth Operator]

Please download and read the 60 page .pdf Detailers Handbook from Griot's Garage. It's particularly important for your Prius because Black, like White, does not have a clearcoat topcoat and should have polish and wax applied soon after delivery. All of the other colors have clearcoat, although it's still important to detail them, too.

I believe the Black Prius is clearcoated.

I enquired about that before I ordered my Black '04 Prius. The dealership confirmed that Black is clearcoated.

I had cause to have a spot of body work done on my Black '04 Prius already. The paint price included clearcoating. It looks exactly the same as the rest of the car.

[amped]

Would someone with a Black kindly check the color code? Open the driver's door and look at the build label. The Ext/Int codes are listed. Does it say 202 as the exterior color? If so, it's the classic Toyota black in use for at least the last fifty years, and isn't clearcoated. Please post here with what you find.

I haven't heard of a change in the non-metallic Black formula. I believe it's the same non-clearcoated 202 Black in use throughout the Toyota and Lexus lineup, although Lexus "adds value" by calling it Onyx. If you're brave enough, prove it to yourself with a mild polish and white applicator pad or cloth. The Black paint will transfer to the applicator. Clearcoated finishes won't transfer color.

[paulisme]

amped, in the door jamb it says "C/TR 202/" and then some other number. Is that the one you're talking about?