Magnetic Gray...like Black to keep clean

[uclabruins]

I have been contemplating buying the Magnetic Gray Prius, but am concerned that it will be almost like a black car to upkeep and keep clean. For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean? Thanks in adavnce.

[StuartS]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Apr 22 2006, 03:05 PM) [snapback]243605[/snapback]</div>

I have been contemplating buying the Magnetic Gray Prius, but am concerned that it will be almost like a black car to upkeep and keep clean. For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean? Thanks in adavnce.
[/b]

Wash them regularly by hand with plenty of water and a little car shampoo. I prefer a soft sponge to a brush and both pre-rinse & final rinse with plenty of water. I don't bother to dry it, just let it drip dry. Mine gets washed at least once a week and takes no longer than 10 minutes. The more regularly it's washed the less time it takes.

StuartS

[catsbox]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Apr 22 2006, 10:05 AM) [snapback]243605[/snapback]</div>

I have been contemplating buying the Magnetic Gray Prius, but am concerned that it will be almost like a black car to upkeep and keep clean. For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean? Thanks in adavnce.
[/b]

I don't. I live in Seattle. What more do I need to say?

[RonH]

wash it every couple of weeks in the brushless auto wash and don't stress over the little stuff.

[Godiva]

I wash it.

But it depends on how anal you are about appearances.

I like to use the Meguiar's five step paint care system. I also use their products. I attended a class to learn how to properly maintain my car and I do that within reason. But I don't lose any sleep over it.

1. Wash
2. Clean/Prep
3. Polish
4. Protect
5. Maintain

Meguiar's five step paint care system.

I think it's easier to maintain a good finish than it is to repair,restore a finish that has been allowed to deteriorate.

Meguiar's list'o links

[danoday]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Apr 22 2006, 10:05 AM) [snapback]243605[/snapback]</div>

I have been contemplating buying the Magnetic Gray Prius, but am concerned that it will be almost like a black car to upkeep and keep clean. For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean? Thanks in adavnce.
[/b]

Embrace the dirtiness!

[cad2112]

I had a black Focus that was absolutely a chore to keep clean. I currently have a gray Focus that isn't nearly as bad. So I ordered my Prius with Magnetic Gray. I can't wait!

[kdmorse]

I've seen several grays', and none of them are as difficult to keep clean as black. Look at the dirt on a black car, what color is it? Gray... Fits right in on a gray car, makeing the dirt far less noticable. They also show salt spray far less dramatically than on a black vehicle.

Unless you're in a heavy pollen area. Then you need a dark green-ish/yelow color car...

-Ken

[ghostofjk]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Apr 22 2006, 07:05 AM) [snapback]243605[/snapback]</div>

For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean?
[/b]

The answer, of course, is "exactly the same as owners of silver, driftwood, blue and red Priuses"---only more often (as with the owners of white ones).

The best dirt colors are driftwood and gray.

[Rancid13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Apr 22 2006, 07:05 AM) [snapback]243605[/snapback]</div>

For those of you with Black cars, how do you keep them clean? Thanks in adavnce.
[/b]

I wash it or have it washed every week. We have a car wash service that comes to our office every Friday morning and washes our cars in the parking lot for us. On the days that he doesn't show up, or I miss him, I'll wash the car myself. Takes 30-45 minutes (I'm short so I have some difficulty washing and drying the very top of the car and the top-middle section on the front and rear windshields)...I had a black car before this one, so I've kind of perfected my dark-car-washing techniques.

1) Hose down the section I'm cleaning first
2) Drag out the bucket with car wash fluid + water and brush and start scrubbing
3) Hose down the section I just cleaned
4) Repeat 1-3 until the whole car is cleaned-I scrub the wheels dead last, as they're usually dirtiest part of the car
5) Take a large lint-free towel and begin drying the car off section-by-section, beginning with the first section I cleaned
6) Should any water spots or smudges remain on the paint, I take a slightly damp lint-free towel and towel off those spots
7) Clean the windows with an auto-glass cleaner
8) Spray tire shine on the tires

I also try to wash my car NOT during the middle of the day. I've found that the mid-day sun here in CA can help air-dry a car pretty darn quickly, leaving water spots all over the whole thing. Early morning (till ~10am) and later afternoon (3pm+) seem to be the best if you're outside, in an uncovered driveway/parking lot. Or pick a day that's slightly cloudy or overcast.