Protecting Your New Prius' Exterior

[PriusCrazy]

This is kind of a similar post to the excellent detailing products thread here:

My Favorite Detailing Products

but wanted to report good results with waxing my Pearl the first week of ownership. I was especially concerned with the front bumper area as it seems to collect bugs easily. After the waxing, I'm happy to report there are less bugs day-to-day and the ones that do stay on the bumper are easily flicked off with a rag or water knocks them off quickly too.

There is traditional wisdom that says you shouldn't wax your new car for 60-90 days after purchase to allow for the paint to cure. After some research, it turns out that new car's paint is completely cured by the time it rolls off the assembly line due to the fact that the paint can be baked at a very high temperature since there are no seats, wires, etc... when it's painted. Having a car repainted is another matter as it can't be baked at the higher temperatures.

Anyway, hope this is useful info. and will motivate everyone to clean up the new baby. If you haven't already checked out the detailing products thread above, give it a look.

Happy detailing!

[cycledrum]

I picked up some experience in 'Claying' my 1988 pickup this week. Clay-barring removes 'stuff' bonded to the exterior making the finish smooth so waxing is more effective.

My 10-month old Prius will need claying before next wax, and it has been in the garage a lot. Has just a little over 6k miles.

I recommend watching some online videos on how to clay. Helped me learn how to shape the clay and to use light pressure. Good idea to practice on an older car or try a small area of a newer car first.

[Gadgetdad]

Originally Posted by cycledrum

I picked up some experience in 'Claying' my 1988 pickup this week. Clay-barring removes 'stuff' bonded to the exterior making the finish smooth so waxing is more effective.

My 10-month old Prius will need claying before next wax, and it has been in the garage a lot. Has just a little over 6k miles.

I recommend watching some online videos on how to clay. Helped me learn how to shape the clay and to use light pressure. Good idea to practice on an older car or try a small area of a newer car first.

Mine needed a good "Claying" right off the ship. I haven't done it yet out of concern referred to in the first post. I can't wait to get her smooth and silky and wax her up right

Lee

[stream]

Originally Posted by Gadgetdad

Mine needed a good "Claying" right off the ship. I haven't done it yet out of concern referred to in the first post. I can't wait to get her smooth and silky and wax her up right

Lee

There's no need to wait to detail your car--modern paints aren't like the old ones where you had to wait for the paint to cure.

I clayed & waxed my Prius as soon as I got it (as I do with all new cars).

Claying is very easy:
--kneed the clay bar in you hands for a minute or so, to allow the clay to soften a bit from your body heat
--form the clay into a bar shape
--spray lubricant on a 2' x 2' area, then--with very slight pressure--glide the clay over the lubricated surface
--dry area with a clean cloth
--fold the bar in half to conceal the dirty surface and reshape
--repeat

The key is to use plenty of lubricant, and not apply too much pressure. Naturally, claying should be done after washing the car (no need to dry it), and you need to wax afterwards.

It's amazing how it works (you'll see the surface contaminents on the bar as you go). To really get an appreciation, before starting, put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and gently rub a surface--you'll feel the little bumps. Try again after claying--smooth as silk.

[rlr66]

Originally Posted by stream

There's no need to wait to detail your car--modern paints aren't like the old ones where you had to wait for the paint to cure.

I clayed & waxed my Prius as soon as I got it (as I do with all new cars).

Claying is very easy:
--kneed the clay bar in you hands for a minute or so, to allow the clay to soften a bit from your body heat
--form the clay into a bar shape
--spray lubricant on a 2' x 2' area, then--with very slight pressure--glide the clay over the lubricated surface
--dry area with a clean cloth
--fold the bar in half to conceal the dirty surface and reshape
--repeat

The key is to use plenty of lubricant, and not apply too much pressure. Naturally, claying should be done after washing the car (no need to dry it), and you need to wax afterwards.

It's amazing how it works (you'll see the surface contaminents on the bar as you go). To really get an appreciation, before starting, put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and gently rub a surface--you'll feel the little bumps. Try again after claying--smooth as silk.

Yes. I had to get my car clayed after it had gotten some paint overspray on it. It came out like glass. Was great.

[MaggieMay]

Originally Posted by stream

There's no need to wait to detail your car--modern paints aren't like the old ones where you had to wait for the paint to cure.

I clayed & waxed my Prius as soon as I got it (as I do with all new cars).

Claying is very easy:
--kneed the clay bar in you hands for a minute or so, to allow the clay to soften a bit from your body heat
--form the clay into a bar shape
--spray lubricant on a 2' x 2' area, then--with very slight pressure--glide the clay over the lubricated surface
--dry area with a clean cloth
--fold the bar in half to conceal the dirty surface and reshape
--repeat

The key is to use plenty of lubricant, and not apply too much pressure. Naturally, claying should be done after washing the car (no need to dry it), and you need to wax afterwards.

It's amazing how it works (you'll see the surface contaminents on the bar as you go). To really get an appreciation, before starting, put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and gently rub a surface--you'll feel the little bumps. Try again after claying--smooth as silk.

I'm getting ready to trade-in my 10-year-old Saab (for my new Prius) and see there's a sizable smudge of whiteish paint on the side view mirror where some inconsiderate soul swiped me up against me. Would using a clay bar take that off??

thanks!

[925PriusGuy]

I've had similar white marks on the front facing sides of my mirrors.

Some light rubbing compound or even a good cleaning wax with a microfiber cloth should run the marks out (if they are light surface marks)

Good luck!

[claridiva]

I have a question about waxing my new Prius in the heat of summer. I live in North Texas (Dallas area) and the average temp these days is around 100. Is it even possible or advised to clean/wax your car with this kind of heat? I don't have any way to do this in a covered area. I just noticed in directions to Zaino products (perhaps others as well?) they do not advocate waxing your car in the sun/heat. I really want to protect my new investment and keep her looking good for years to come! I suppose I can do this in the late evening, but the heat is still pretty intense and evaporation occurs quickly.

Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks!

[dc202]

Do it in the evening or where you have shade, not in direct sunlight and after the surface of the metal has cooled from exposure in direct sunlight. The high temperature of the ambient air should not adversely affect the treatment.

[patsparks]

I must say, before coming to Prius Chat I never heard of "clay bar".