Car Wash and my '08 Prius

[seekingsimplicity]

Two days ago on a very rainy day, I got my new black shiny BEAUTIFUL prius. I had the teflon coating put on it----the dealer told me it will really help with keeping the finish nice.

After the rainstorm, I went through a car wash that was the kind that sprays a wand all around the car.

Here is my question:

The part of the car near the hatchback and by the liscense plate was still dirty. Does the hatchback ledge ( I do not know what this part is called) keep the carwash from cleaning that area? If so, what a pain that will be.

My very knowledgeable, helpful dealer told me that because I have the teflon coating I do not need to be paranoid about ruining the black paint by going through an automatic carwash.

Anyone have experience with this?

Thank you!

[Tideland Prius]

Hmm.. well my touchless car wash is and L-shaped pipe that goes around the car so my lower rear window is soaped and rinsed.

So try another carwash??

No idea about the Teflon coating. I wax my own car.

[seekingsimplicity]

the part that was not clean on my Prius was the part below the little "ledge that juts out". The window was clean.

[firepa63]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seekingsimplicity @ Oct 20 2007, 07:31 PM) [snapback]528289[/snapback]</div>

the part that was not clean on my Prius was the part below the little "ledge that juts out". The window was clean.
[/b]

That's pretty normal when using a car wash. I just do the area by hand after going through the wash.

[SW03ES]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seekingsimplicity @ Oct 20 2007, 06:12 PM) [snapback]528269[/snapback]</div>

My very knowledgeable, helpful dealer told me that because I have the teflon coating I do not need to be paranoid about ruining the black paint by going through an automatic carwash.[/b]

Unfortunately the dealer is lying to you. The "teflon coating" is a gimmick dealers sell at sometimes 1,000% markups. Its no better than any sealant you can buy a pepboys and it will do absolutely nothing to prevent damage to the car from anything, including carwashes. Within 90 days it will be completely worn away from the paint.

[Green Hokie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Oct 21 2007, 02:23 PM) [snapback]528494[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately the dealer is lying to you. The "teflon coating" is a gimmick dealers sell at sometimes 1,000% markups. Its no better than any sealant you can buy a pepboys and it will do absolutely nothing to prevent damage to the car from anything, including carwashes. Within 90 days it will be completely worn away from the paint.
[/b]

Yes. I'm afraid the paint protection system these dealers sell is no better (& probably even worse in terms of durability) than many of the better sealants on the market. At minimum, the OP will definitely still need to perform the regular wash, polish & seal (semi-annually is usually recommended). It's a shame more consumers don't know the truth behind these paint protection systems sold by car dealers.

BTW, congratulations to the OP on the new Prius! Sorry, if I forgot my manners.

[skguh]

I'm glad to see someone's taken theirs through a drive-through (pull through) complete with brushes.

Green Hokie: What's

3M Ultrashield clear film on hood, front fenders, front bumper, side mirrors, headlights, foglights and top of rear bumper Covercraft UVS100 sunshield? [/b]

Is it like the clear 'orange peel' affect along the bottom of the chassis?

[mhawkin1]

..... even if you hand wash a black car the paint will still swirl with a little bit of time. I can't believe your dealer told you that Teflon® line with a straight face. In my experience the Prius paint wears much quicker than other cars. Black is definitely beautiful when it is new (IMHO) but gosh they are a nightmare to own... again... IMHO.

[Michgal007]

I had the same problem with the back of the hatchback below the window has not been washed off. Then I tried a new place with touch free washing where two stick thingys go all the way back and spray all over. Now it washes great.

Congrats on the new car. Nice color BTW. :P

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mhawkin1 @ Nov 20 2007, 11:40 AM) [snapback]542092[/snapback]</div>

..... even if you hand wash a black car the paint will still swirl with a little bit of time.[/b]

That is true if you wash your car with grime. <_<

The more care and precautions you take while washing your car, the longer you will go swirl free.

Even just the mention of "swirl" while talking about hand washing tells me mhawkin1 isn't doing a hand wash job properly.

NEVER, EVER WASH OR DRY YOUR CAR WITH A CIRCULAR MOTION!!!! Circular motions are for waxing only. Wash and dry only with straight line motions.

Swirl marks (circular scratch) will reflect sunlight from just about any direction. That is why you so often see the swirl marks.
A straight line scratch will only reflect sunlight from one or two directions, thereby making the marks much less noticeable.

1) I use a portable electric pressure washer for a pre-wash to remove as much dirt and grime as I can.
2) Use a car wash mitt. (I once saw someone using old blue jeans. )
3) Never apply more pressure to the mitt than it takes to slide it across the car surface . . . in a straight line.
4) Never use the same mitt for the very lowest part of the car or to wash the wheels.
5) Before returning the mitt to the soap bucket, I rinse the mitt from the inside out. I place the garden hose into the hand of the mitt and clamp down on the sleeve with one hand and rub the outside of the mitt with the other. If there is junk embedded in the wash mitt, it will be washed out, not pushed further in. My bucket of soapy water stays clean through the entire wash.
6) Use a proper drying cloth . . . soft cotton, microfiber or chamois . . . which you use ONLY for drying the car.