outside black prius.. car washing & paint damage.

[silversyren]

I've always had black cars and usually took them to a car wash twice a year. This was when there was regular rainfall and a nice, cozy garage to park my car at night.

Now I'm in Southern California, half a mile from the ocean, with street parking, and very large, aggressive birds. Who eat a lot.

My poor black prius almost needs a weekly wash to stay decent. If it's not salt, it's tree sap, or bird droppings, or hell, even the stupid sprinklers leave water spots on my car.

I took my Prius in for a wash two days ago and the guys recommended a wax .. which I did, and went without buying groceries for the day since I didn't have any more cash after that.

What can I do? My prius is three months old and I just want to keep it nice. I'm poor, just-graduated-from-college-looking-for-a-job, and I can't afford to keep washing my car! I plan on using a claybar myself but I don't wash cars in general.

[FloridaWen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Christina @ Aug 30 2007, 02:17 AM) [snapback]504189[/snapback]</div>

I've always had black cars and usually took them to a car wash twice a year. This was when there was regular rainfall and a nice, cozy garage to park my car at night.

Now I'm in Southern California, half a mile from the ocean, with street parking, and very large, aggressive birds. Who eat a lot.

My poor black prius almost needs a weekly wash to stay decent. If it's not salt, it's tree sap, or bird droppings, or hell, even the stupid sprinklers leave water spots on my car.

I took my Prius in for a wash two days ago and the guys recommended a wax .. which I did, and went without buying groceries for the day since I didn't have any more cash after that.

What can I do? My prius is three months old and I just want to keep it nice. I'm poor, just-graduated-from-college-looking-for-a-job, and I can't afford to keep washing my car! I plan on using a claybar myself but I don't wash cars in general.
[/b]

Now this is where a BOYFRIEND (or just a good friend) comes into play..... particularly one that knows (and wants) to give your Prius a good "detailing" with a quality wash, wax, sealant.... like ZAINO products. In return, make him a nice meal with a good (but inexpensive) bottle of wine. Seriously, Zaino products are NOT inexpensive, but last a long time and you don't need a lot, so in the long run they will "protect" the Prius as good as you can get without a garage !!

By the way, the bird droppings can do some SERIOUS damage to paint and tree sap isn't that good for paint either. We have been fortunate to always have a home with a two car garage and we have always used them faithfully.... now during the day in the parking lot at work is another "worry" !!

[patsparks]

Hand wash and hand wax. Girls do a better job of hand waxing than men so just make sure any man in your life has a cold beer in one hand and a remote control in the other hand before you head out with a bucket and cleaning and polishing cloths.
Use a car cover but never put a cover on a dirty car.

[FloridaWen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 30 2007, 06:22 AM) [snapback]504216[/snapback]</div>

Use a car cover but never put a cover on a dirty car.
[/b]

Unfortunately.... chances are it will be STOLEN off the vehicle in Los Angeles if parked on the street !!

[AOV]

I have had white and silver cars all my life, until 2 years ago I bought a black one. I was out there every other day washing it, and then I had to hand dry it - the water stains looked worse. The worse was during spring, with all the tree pollen on it. It was a black Mercedes - could not drive it if it wasn't clean looking. It's very time consuming, yet...the work was well worth it. So, when it was time to buy a Prius a few months ago...I bought a silver one. Now, I only wash it once a week

[patsparks]

Good car covers can be locked on. Pity about nasty thieving people!

[hoop]

I don't wash cars in general.
[/quote]


Give me a break...it only cost three dollars at a do it yourself car wash. Two times a year isn't really enough anyway. Wash it in the rain, then its free.

[AOV]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoop @ Aug 30 2007, 07:17 AM) [snapback]504227[/snapback]</div>

I don't wash cars in general.
Give me a break...it only cost three dollars at a do it yourself car wash. Two times a year isn't really enough anyway. Wash it in the rain, then its free.
[/b]

That's my husbands way of thinking....let the rain do all the work.

[patsparks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AOV @ Aug 30 2007, 08:51 PM) [snapback]504228[/snapback]</div>

That's my husbands way of thinking....let the rain do all the work.
[/b]

I do that sometimes. We have water restrictions here at the moment due to drought. If it rains I like to race out and wash the car in the rain then chamois it off in the garage.

[AOV]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 30 2007, 07:57 AM) [snapback]504238[/snapback]</div>

I do that sometimes. We have water restrictions here at the moment due to drought. If it rains I like to race out and wash the car in the rain then chamois it off in the garage.
[/b]

I guess you take it a step further than he would....he would let the sun/air do the rest of the work.