Washing the Prius

[Kross]

For those of you that use the Mr. Clean Aut-dry system regularly. Does the soap strip off the wax on the car? I mean the soap that actually comes with the system (and refills).

[aaf709]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sunnysandiegan @ Jun 10 2006, 11:59 PM) [snapback]269435[/snapback]</div>

Thanks again for your reply way back at the beginning of this thread. I wouldn't have even known about nor given the Mr. Clean gizmo a shot without your detailed information.
[/b]

I used it last weekend and it didn't work as well. THEN I saw the "replace cartridge when brown" indicator. Of course it was brown. I'll have to do it again. :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kross @ Jun 12 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]269994[/snapback]</div>

For those of you that use the Mr. Clean Aut-dry system regularly. Does the soap strip off the wax on the car? I mean the soap that actually comes with the system (and refills).
[/b]

I find the soap is very mild.

[nerfer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jun 9 2006, 11:52 AM) [snapback]268651[/snapback]</div>

This is one thing that separates the "detail" guys from the "reasonably clean" guys.

For some, rain means the car is cleaned for free. For others (folks like me) rain means disaster - and a full detail is shortly in order.

[/b]

It could also be a difference in rain. I'm not sure how much rain you get in that part of Calif. but if it's just a light rain (<.1") after a week or so without rain, then it's going to make big messy raindrop patterns in your dust. But if you regularly get quarter-inch rainfalls or better, and it dries without the sun coming back out, then it'll be much cleaner.

Is all dishsoap the same? I don't use Dawn, it's something else, whatever the wife has, but I've been washing my car myself for years, and my '99 Subaru that I had for 6.5 years didn't need a single wax job, the water would still bead up on it. Maybe the finish is better nowadays (but thinner, from what I've heard), or maybe because I don't wash the car every other weekend (every 6 or 7 weeks is more like it). Also, for the first few years, I parked at work in a parking garage, so it kept the sun off of it (always garaged at home).

One thing I've noticed and it hasn't been mentioned here, is that black is the hardest color to get clean, every tiny imperfection shows up. A lighter color can handle more dust before it starts to show, and you don't notice imperfections as easily.

[TwelveInchPrius]

I thoroughly wash my Prius every day...rain or shine!!

[Bob Allen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Jun 10 2006, 02:50 AM) [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 go to a coin-op wash facility near work, about once a week. I add an extra quarter or two, for a few extra minutes on the wax cycle. As long as water beads up, you've got wax). I carry a few towels in the car and use them to wipe off the water drops especially on the windows and mirrors. Two or three times a year, I follow this up with a hand waxing at home, using paste wax. My car looks fine. I'm more concerned about keeping a wax finish than I am about every little spec of dirt. For the interior, I use Armor-all, a squirt spray plastic cleaner/polish on the dash, including the MFD screen (blot immediately, though), a nylon bristle brush on the carpeting, and a car-powered vacuum for light dirt and twigs. The fabric cleans easily with soap and water, and sometimes all I need is the nylon brush. One of those little foam paint brushes works well at removing dust specs from the MFD and dash panels.

B

[brandon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Jun 12 2006, 01:12 PM) [snapback]270025[/snapback]</div>

Is all dishsoap the same? I don't use Dawn, it's something else, whatever the wife has, but I've been washing my car myself for years, and my '99 Subaru that I had for 6.5 years didn't need a single wax job, the water would still bead up on it.[/b]

I don't know if it's all the same (I suspect it isn't), but the Zaino website is pretty specific about using blue Dawn dishsoap to strip the wax.

Now, if you've been washing your car with dishsoap all this time, there is very likely no wax on your car. The water may bead, but it's sitting directly on top of your squeaky-clean yet unprotected clearcoat. That ultra-thin clearcoat is the only thing between your ultra-thin paint and the elements - water, dirt, sun, pollution, etc.

[Porridge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TwelveInchPrius @ Jun 12 2006, 02:29 PM) [snapback]270033[/snapback]</div>

I thoroughly wash my Prius every day...rain or shine!!
[/b]

Very environmentally friendly In WA there is a campaign to encourage users to use car washes where the water is recycled and does not run off into the environment. Probably funded by same said car washes, but I think they have a point.