I can't go on like this!!

BellBoy · 05-11-2006, 02:55 PM

I haven't washed my car since I got it (March) and it looks like some time this weekend will have to be C-Day. I got a long hard look at her last night in some very un-flattering light and it looks like I'm driving a homelessmobile!

I call upon all Prius Primpers and Pimper-outers...what are you using to clean your car (inside and out)?? I've heard of terms like the Mr. Clean system, Zaino...all kinds of terms/products that are making me dizzy.

What do you clean the inside windows with tint applied?
How do you clean that textured stuff on the dash without leaving little linty thingies all over the place?
What do you clean the nav display with?
What's the best cloth products to use inside and out?

Ahhhhh...so many questions...and I have to get everything before the weekend!! My brain hurts...

Heeeelllp!

SomervillePrius · 05-11-2006, 03:11 PM

I have to 2nd your voice. I haven't clean my dear Prius since february....

aaf709 · 05-11-2006, 03:12 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ May 11 2006, 11:55 AM) [snapback]253631[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I call upon all Prius Primpers and Pimper-outers...what are you using to clean your car (inside and out)?? I've heard of terms like the Mr. Clean system, Zaino...all kinds of terms/products that are making me dizzy.

What do you clean the inside windows with tint applied?
How do you clean that textured stuff on the dash without leaving little linty thingies all over the place?
What do you clean the nav display with?
What's the best cloth products to use inside and out?
[/b]

1) I use the Mr. Clean system for cleaning outside.
2) I don't have tinted windows, but I use Invisible Glass for cleaning.
3) I have a dash cover so I don't have to clean the dash itself.
4) For the MFD I use the stuff (spray and cloth) I got to clean my LCD monitor.

I should be cleaning my car (and my wife's) this weekend.

subarutoo · 05-11-2006, 03:26 PM

Mine had 6000 miles before the first bath. Actually, I had freeway debris damage about 1200 miles, and the body shop washed it after new bumper, foglight, and repair to pass. side door. I now have over 8K and washed it again last week-end. I just used somekind of armorall product with wash and wax built in to a gel tab. ( I think it was Armorall). It worked OK.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-11-2006, 07:04 PM

For the windows:

pendetim · 05-11-2006, 07:46 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ May 11 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]253631[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I haven't washed my car since I got it (March) and it looks like some time this weekend will have to be C-

What do you clean the inside windows with tint applied?

Heeeelllp!
[/b]

For the tinted windows: use any window cleaner that DOES NOT contain Amonia. Amonia will cause damage to the plastic and weaken the adhesive.
Tim

rfred · 05-12-2006, 10:46 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 11 2006, 02:12 PM) [snapback]253646[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

1) I use the Mr. Clean system for cleaning outside.
2) I don't have tinted windows, but I use Invisible Glass for cleaning.
3) I have a dash cover so I don't have to clean the dash itself.
4) For the MFD I use the stuff (spray and cloth) I got to clean my LCD monitor.

I should be cleaning my car (and my wife's) this weekend.

[/b]

Just wanted to mention about #4 above - as with computer monitors please spray the cleaner on the cloth and then wipe the monitor clean; don't spray directly on the MFD.

john1701a · 05-12-2006, 12:12 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ May 11 2006, 01:55 PM) [snapback]253631[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I haven't washed my car since I got it (March) and it looks like some time this weekend will have to be C-Day. I got a long hard look at her last night in some very un-flattering light and it looks like I'm driving a homelessmobile![/b]

You have an interesting perspective... which would change after spending just 10 minutes in the north country during the winter. Pretty much all the vehicles here look like they've been having way too much fun. No showroom shine for us.

In fact, looking like they've engaged in battle is something to be proud of. Might as well make the best of an unbeatable situation, eh? Check out at my photo album. There are many shots like this...

...so many of us don't even try. We just learn to live with the fact that clean is only associated with the warm season.

BellBoy · 05-12-2006, 12:20 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 12 2006, 09:12 AM) [snapback]254114[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

You have an interesting perspective... which would change after spending just 10 minutes in the north country during the winter. Pretty much all the vehicles here look like they've been having way too much fun. No showroom shine for us.

In fact, looking like they've engaged in battle is something to be proud of. Might as well make the best of an unbeatable situation, eh? Check out at my photo album. There are many shots like this...

...so many of us don't even try. We just learn to live with the fact that clean is only associated with the warm season.
[/b]

I would think it would be an even greater priority for you guys up there to keep your cars protected from the salt and sand that's tossed around in winter. I've lived in St. Louis and Chicago, so I know what damage that crap can do. I used to borrow a friend's heated garage to wash/wax my car when it got really bad.

However, I digress...now back on track!

I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. More, more! I want to pick up a bunch of stuff after work today and I'm still missing some crucial elements...like most of the products I need. Washing, waxing/sealing, detailing. What I godda buy?

galaxee · 05-12-2006, 12:24 PM

wash: once a week (unless something comes up like the current situation) blue coral concentrate... don't know if i'll continue using it once i run out
sponge: microfiber covered sponge
dry: the absorber/aqua dry towel
wax: we had zaino on it, then some $(*&^^ construction company got paint overspray on the car, we had it claybarred and re-waxed and i HATE the stuff they put on it, so we're going to re-zaino sometime soon.
dash: i have an 05 so the dash doesn't have that texture to it, but i use mother's back to black and it makes it look nice- not that dull look it has from the factory
windows: tinted windows are wiped down with a wet (water only) paper towel, windshield with stoner's invisible glass a couple of times (also use this on outside glass)
mfd: water on a soft cloth- i use a t-shirt rag
i vacuum with a shop vac now and again, and spray off the a/w mats when they start to look dirty.

05-11-2006, 02:55 PM	#1
BellBoy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 198 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I haven't washed my car since I got it (March) and it looks like some time this weekend will have to be C-Day. I got a long hard look at her last night in some very un-flattering light and it looks like I'm driving a homelessmobile! I call upon all Prius Primpers and Pimper-outers...what are you using to clean your car (inside and out)?? I've heard of terms like the Mr. Clean system, Zaino...all kinds of terms/products that are making me dizzy. What do you clean the inside windows with tint applied? How do you clean that textured stuff on the dash without leaving little linty thingies all over the place? What do you clean the nav display with? What's the best cloth products to use inside and out? Ahhhhh...so many questions...and I have to get everything before the weekend!! My brain hurts... Heeeelllp! __________________ Additions: Glass breakage sensor (FI) - dealer installed Tinted windows 3M paint protection film NEW!: Sirius Radio (SC-C1/TOY-SC1 combo) Born: March 1, 2006 Died: Never Hopefully! Current MPG: Approx. 43

05-12-2006, 12:24 PM	#10
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	wash: once a week (unless something comes up like the current situation) blue coral concentrate... don't know if i'll continue using it once i run out sponge: microfiber covered sponge dry: the absorber/aqua dry towel wax: we had zaino on it, then some $(&^^ construction company got paint overspray on the car, we had it claybarred and re-waxed and i HATE the stuff they put on it, so we're going to re-zaino sometime soon. dash: i have an 05 so the dash doesn't have that texture to it, but i use mother's back to black and it makes it look nice- not that dull look it has from the factory windows: tinted windows are wiped down with a wet (water only) paper towel, windshield with stoner's invisible glass a couple of times (also use this on outside glass) mfd: water on a soft cloth- i use a t-shirt rag i vacuum with a shop vac now and again, and spray off the a/w mats when they start to look dirty. __________________ black* 2005 prius, a few mods that make me happy g: class of '09 in intense science DH: class of '09 in medical equipment hoping to discover the 'reward' part of the sacrifice-reward cycle soon!

05-11-2006, 03:11 PM	#2
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I have to 2nd your voice. I haven't clean my dear Prius since february....

05-11-2006, 03:26 PM	#4
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,176 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Mine had 6000 miles before the first bath. Actually, I had freeway debris damage about 1200 miles, and the body shop washed it after new bumper, foglight, and repair to pass. side door. I now have over 8K and washed it again last week-end. I just used somekind of armorall product with wash and wax built in to a gel tab. ( I think it was Armorall). It worked OK.

05-11-2006, 07:04 PM	#5
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	For the windows: