When can you wax a new Prius?

lotto · 04-24-2007, 09:44 AM

Hello! I took the plunge and traded in my gas-guzzling 2000 Buick (an inheritance from my grandfather) for a 2007 Prius. I love the car and want to keep it looking pretty. I'd like to wax it but have read from some sources that it's best to wait a few months to let the paint "set." Is this true? How soon can you wax a new Prius? And what is the best type of wax to use -- I'm a little nervous about using the waxes with abrasive materials that eliminate scratches, because my new Prius doesn't have any scratches yet.

Thanks!

acdii · 04-24-2007, 10:56 AM

Check the build date of the car. If it just rolled off the line, then wait a month, if not, go right ahead and wax it.

Unlike repair finishes, factory finishes are fully cured when they are applied. They have huge ovens that bake the paint to full cure. If they didnt, then there would be issues with soft paint when they ship the cars as most of the cars I have seen shipped are wrapped up with self stick plastic sheets to protect the paint from scratches.

richard schumacher · 04-24-2007, 11:05 AM

It's fine to wax immediately. The car spent at least a month in shipping after it was painted.

This subject is a hobby or a religion for some. I waxed mine one day after taking delivery, three years ago, and never since. I wash it using Mr. Clean Autodry and it still looks new. No scratches, and minimal time spent on it.

darelldd · 04-24-2007, 11:08 AM

1. You may wax immediately.
2. Don't use a wax with any abrasives in it.
3. Many of the synthetic "waxes" are easier and longer-lasting than the real stuff.
4. The real stuff tends to look a bit better for a MUCH shorter time.

hycamguy07 · 04-24-2007, 11:43 AM

Welcome to the Hybrid club, once you go hybrid you'll never want to go back to driving anything else! (Ahh smugness)

I used Maguires Carnuba wax or if in a hurry Dupont spray no wipe off teflon wax every 6-8 months.

The car looked brand new, when I traded for the Hycam.

darelldd · 04-24-2007, 12:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hycamguy07 @ Apr 24 2007, 08:43 AM) [snapback]429015[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Welcome to the Hybrid club, once you go hybrid you'll never want to go back to driving anything else! (Ahh smugness)

[/b]

Uh.... not when you are coming from an electric car - today's hybrid is like driving any other gasoline car to me! But that's not the point here, and I'll shut up.

**Tideland Prius** · 04-25-2007, 02:28 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 24 2007, 09:11 AM) [snapback]429032[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Uh.... not when you are coming from an electric car - today's hybrid is like driving any other gasoline car to me! But that's not the point here, and I'll shut up.
[/b]

04-24-2007, 09:44 AM	#1
lotto Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hello! I took the plunge and traded in my gas-guzzling 2000 Buick (an inheritance from my grandfather) for a 2007 Prius. I love the car and want to keep it looking pretty. I'd like to wax it but have read from some sources that it's best to wait a few months to let the paint "set." Is this true? How soon can you wax a new Prius? And what is the best type of wax to use -- I'm a little nervous about using the waxes with abrasive materials that eliminate scratches, because my new Prius doesn't have any scratches yet. Thanks!

04-24-2007, 10:56 AM	#2
acdii Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 591 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 12 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts Friends: 0	Check the build date of the car. If it just rolled off the line, then wait a month, if not, go right ahead and wax it. Unlike repair finishes, factory finishes are fully cured when they are applied. They have huge ovens that bake the paint to full cure. If they didnt, then there would be issues with soft paint when they ship the cars as most of the cars I have seen shipped are wrapped up with self stick plastic sheets to protect the paint from scratches.

04-24-2007, 11:05 AM	#3
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,515 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 100 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	It's fine to wax immediately. The car spent at least a month in shipping after it was painted. This subject is a hobby or a religion for some. I waxed mine one day after taking delivery, three years ago, and never since. I wash it using Mr. Clean Autodry and it still looks new. No scratches, and minimal time spent on it.

04-24-2007, 11:08 AM	#4
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	1. You may wax immediately. 2. Don't use a wax with any abrasives in it. 3. Many of the synthetic "waxes" are easier and longer-lasting than the real stuff. 4. The real stuff tends to look a bit better for a MUCH shorter time.

04-24-2007, 11:43 AM	#5
hycamguy07 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,707 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Welcome to the Hybrid club, once you go hybrid you'll never want to go back to driving anything else! (Ahh smugness) I used Maguires Carnuba wax or if in a hurry Dupont spray no wipe off teflon wax every 6-8 months. The car looked brand new, when I traded for the Hycam.