Washing the Prius

[NoVaSnow]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmccord @ Jun 9 2006, 01:21 PM) [snapback]268666[/snapback]</div>

2) The Absorber - a synthetic drying towel.
http://www.theabsorber.com/product.html

[/b]

I just bought The Absorber when I got my Prius. It is a great tool.

[hyo silver]

How To Wash a Car: Things I've Learned The Hard Way

Park it in the shade, but not under a tree that will drip sap on it.

Make sure your neighbour's bird feeder is full, and yours is empty.

Be sure all the windows are all the way up *before* you spray the car.

Use two buckets, and rinse the washcloth instead of putting the dirt back on the car.

Be sure your neighbour isn't going to use his leafblower until *after* you've moved the car.

*Don't* use dish soap unless you're going to wax it again right away.

When your wife complains you spend more time with the car than with her, suggest she go for a wash and wax more often. Then you'll have time to clean the inside too, because you won't be allowed back in the house anytime soon.

[koa]

I would suggest using some old terry cloth towels cut up so they are not to big and drag on the ground. Get some car wash soap from Pep Boys or Walmart, don't use dish soap. Mix up a bucket of soap, hose the car down, and use the rags to wash the car from the top down. When you hose off the car take the nozzle off and use just the hose with gentle full water flow. This will allow the water to sheet and pull a lot of the water off the car to make drying easier. One old large terry cloth towel should be able to dry the entire car. Should take about 20 mins.

You might consider waxing it with something, Nufinish for example. Anything is better than nothing. Also, call around to the detail shops and see what they charge to detail. A couple of hundred bucks once a year will make your car look like new.

[priusenvy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Jun 9 2006, 01:41 AM) [snapback]268498[/snapback]</div>

Doesn't anybody use those big automatic car-wash things with big revolving furry wheels above and on both sides?
[/b]

Those are an excellent way to put swirl marks in your paint. You'll then have to pay at least $200 US to get someone competent to buff them out with a rotary or orbital polisher.

[Oxo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Jun 9 2006, 01:50 PM) [snapback]268720[/snapback]</div>

Those are an excellent way to put swirl marks in your paint. You'll then have to pay at least $200 US to get someone competent to buff them out with a rotary or orbital polisher.
[/b]

I've never noticed any marks after about 20 years of using public auto car washes. And anyway why would I want to have them removed? I don't like driving about in a shiny new-looking car any more than I would always want to be dressed in a new suit with a bright tie and with highly polished shoes!

[IsrAmeriPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Jun 9 2006, 12:48 PM) [snapback]268779[/snapback]</div>

I don't like driving about in a shiny new-looking car any more than I would always want to be dressed in a new suit with a bright tie and with highly polished shoes!

[/b]

This reminds me of the story of the English gentlemen who had their butlers and footmen break in their new tailored suits so that when they finally started to wear them they would not look brand new.

[sunnysandiegan]

Okay, I found all the items on my shopping list today and I was able to park in the appropriate spot! When my child wakes up, I'll be washing my car!!!! YIPPEEEE!!!

Thank you for the helpful comments!

[Manksgloob]

Out of curiosity, what did you end up getting?

[barbaram]

Zaino has some good tips:
Dawn takes off grease and oily particulates, as well as much of the bug goo.
Use only 100% cotton made in USA to prevent scratching.
have an '06 and I only use the "touchless" car wash or wash by hand. the Zaino Z2 was super easy to apply and gave great results!

[brandon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ Jun 9 2006, 11:44 PM) [snapback]269055[/snapback]</div>

Zaino has some good tips:
Dawn takes off grease and oily particulates, as well as much of the bug goo.
[/b]

One note about the Dawn wash - it will strip off your wax! Do not wash with anything other than car wash soap on a regular basis. Zaino only intends the Dawn wash to be used when you are waxing (or more appropriately Zainoing) and want to start with a "clean slate."