Washing a Prius at an apt complex

priora · 10-17-2009, 04:24 PM

Hello everyone,

I live in an apt complex and I'm wondering how I should be cleaning my car. My previous vehicle was a 2000 Honda CR-V which I only washed about twice a year when I drove to WV to visit family.

1) How often should I clean my vehicle?
2) How can I do it myself (preferred)?
3) If I cannot manage #2, what sort of a car wash facility should I look for?

jburns · 10-17-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by priora

Hello everyone,

I live in an apt complex and I'm wondering how I should be cleaning my car. My previous vehicle was a 2000 Honda CR-V which I only washed about twice a year when I drove to WV to visit family.

1) How often should I clean my vehicle?
2) How can I do it myself (preferred)?
3) If I cannot manage #2, what sort of a car wash facility
should I look for?

As far as keeping it clean the Prius is the same as any other car. Once the newness wears off most people revert to their own basic standard of cleanliness.

Salsawonder · 10-17-2009, 06:06 PM

In California we are in a water crunch so even though we have a designated spot for washing in our condo complex I prefer to use a car wash place that reclaims water.

Boo · 10-17-2009, 11:09 PM

I live in an apartment complex in Manhattan and do not have easy access to either a hose or a car wash.

I, and a lot of other people who are similarly situated or reside in water restricted areas (no car washing with a hose, no lawn watering, etc.), use Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine to hand wash our cars using either one bucket or two buckets of water.

Personally, I tend to use the one bucket method because I'm lazy and would rather lug only one bucket of water down from my apartment.

If you want to give it a go, I would suggest ordering the 1 quart size rather than the 1 gallon size.

Google Optimum No Rinse to find places that sell it online (I got mine from Amazon) as well as demonstration videos and reviews.

cpatch · 10-18-2009, 01:42 AM

Definitely Optimum No Rinse. A bucket, a couple of soft mitts, a few towels, and you're all set. Search YouTube for demos.

G3priusV · 10-18-2009, 02:22 AM

How should I get rid off bugs stuck on the hood and front of the car? I drive everyday on a highway that has tons of bugs. And every week when I wash it I see the front side of the car is almost covered by dead bugs dried up and and stuck on it. And I find it little difficult to get rid of them.

a64pilot · 10-18-2009, 04:08 AM

Sounds crazy, but spray the front of the car with armor all or similar product after washing and before hitting the bugs, Pam the vegetable cooking spray works as well, or at least it does for love bugs. Doesn't keep you from hitting them, but sure makes getting them off easier. Hasn't hurt paint either

Boo · 10-18-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G3priusV

How should I get rid off bugs stuck on the hood and front of the car? I drive everyday on a highway that has tons of bugs. And every week when I wash it I see the front side of the car is almost covered by dead bugs dried up and and stuck on it. And I find it little difficult to get rid of them.

Besides cooking spray oil, I understand that many car owners like Rejex -- a high polymer wax first developed for aviation (helps to keep bugs from sticking to or make bugs easier to clean off propellers/wings) -- including Floridians and other Southerners who use it on their cars in their fight against love bugs.

Here's one thread that talks about Rejex (I think it's also mentioned elsewhere on PriusChat):

Does anyone use RejeX on their Prius?

You can get it at Amazon, among other places:

Amazon.com: Corrosion Technologies #61002 Rejex 16OZ Car Wax: Automotive
Amazon.com: Corrosion Technologies #61002 Rejex 16OZ Car Wax: Automotive

SW03ES · 10-18-2009, 03:06 PM

I'd recommend ONR for your situation, its perfect for your needs.

I did a pretty extensive writeup about it and the process which can be found here:

Swirl free washing process without a hose...described inside...

G3priusV · 10-18-2009, 03:42 PM

Thanks, everyone for the advise! I'll definetely try them out soon. And I hope now the weather is getting colder and those bugs will go away for while! :-)

10-17-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
priora Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 52 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Washing a Prius at an apt complex Hello everyone, I live in an apt complex and I'm wondering how I should be cleaning my car. My previous vehicle was a 2000 Honda CR-V which I only washed about twice a year when I drove to WV to visit family. 1) How often should I clean my vehicle? 2) How can I do it myself (preferred)? 3) If I cannot manage #2, what sort of a car wash facility should I look for?

10-17-2009, 06:06 PM	#3
Salsawonder Silver Lining Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Mesa California Posts: 1,611 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 32 Thanked 22 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex In California we are in a water crunch so even though we have a designated spot for washing in our condo complex I prefer to use a car wash place that reclaims water.

10-17-2009, 11:09 PM	#4
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,296 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 167 Thanked 304 Times in 155 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex I live in an apartment complex in Manhattan and do not have easy access to either a hose or a car wash. I, and a lot of other people who are similarly situated or reside in water restricted areas (no car washing with a hose, no lawn watering, etc.), use Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine to hand wash our cars using either one bucket or two buckets of water. Personally, I tend to use the one bucket method because I'm lazy and would rather lug only one bucket of water down from my apartment. If you want to give it a go, I would suggest ordering the 1 quart size rather than the 1 gallon size. Google Optimum No Rinse to find places that sell it online (I got mine from Amazon) as well as demonstration videos and reviews. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheelskins Wheel Covers & Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Sheepskin Seat Cover, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

10-18-2009, 01:42 AM	#5
cpatch Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 371 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 10 Thanked 74 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex Definitely Optimum No Rinse. A bucket, a couple of soft mitts, a few towels, and you're all set. Search YouTube for demos.

10-18-2009, 04:08 AM	#7
a64pilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany Ga. Posts: 732 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: N/A Thanks: 19 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex Sounds crazy, but spray the front of the car with armor all or similar product after washing and before hitting the bugs, Pam the vegetable cooking spray works as well, or at least it does for love bugs. Doesn't keep you from hitting them, but sure makes getting them off easier. Hasn't hurt paint either

10-18-2009, 02:22 AM	#6
G3priusV Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UT Posts: 64 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex How should I get rid off bugs stuck on the hood and front of the car? I drive everyday on a highway that has tons of bugs. And every week when I wash it I see the front side of the car is almost covered by dead bugs dried up and and stuck on it. And I find it little difficult to get rid of them.

10-18-2009, 03:06 PM	#9
SW03ES Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 1,509 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 6 Thanked 41 Times in 28 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex I'd recommend ONR for your situation, its perfect for your needs. I did a pretty extensive writeup about it and the process which can be found here: Swirl free washing process without a hose...described inside...

10-18-2009, 03:42 PM	#10
G3priusV Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UT Posts: 64 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Washing a Prius at an apt complex Thanks, everyone for the advise! I'll definetely try them out soon. And I hope now the weather is getting colder and those bugs will go away for while! :-)

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