How to maintain a black Prius?

Best help to get is over on Auto Detailing 101 - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
I got a lot of info and help from these guys. They all do detailing for a living. The toyota paint is very soft and can get mess up fast. The correct towels just to dry is important, not just any micro fibre. The more you drive it the more it is going to take on. Black is a lot of work and over working it doesnt help, and dont use the dusting feathers!

 

Black is certainly more work than other colors. You have to wash it a lot more often and keep it waxed, etc.

 

I used to have a black Prius and now I have a white one

 

I've started using Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax 32 oz : Amazon.com : Automotive on almost a weekly basis. Saves water and seems to work pretty good instead of washing, which uses a lot of water.

 

Arnie...
Is this you first black car?
I've had two and will never own one again due to what you've now discovered. All the very dark colors are like that- they look great when just washed/waxed- but get filthy quickly. You have to use lots of soap and water to prevent scratches and swirl marks during washing and a water blade and microfiber towels to prevent water spots.

 

Did you wax it yet? Unless your dealer did so, it's not waxed. Mine wasn't and scratched very easily until I did so.

Keep a good coat of wax on it and also invest in some polish to polish out swirls and scratches as needed.

 

BTW, one of my neighbors also has a black Prius and he doesn't do anything to it and just doesn't care. It still looks good from a slight distance. It's only until you get up close to the paint that you can see all the imperfections.

So, a black car can still look pretty good if not maintained pristinely, it's just a matter of how picky you are. I myself am used to being picky about it since this is my third black car!

 

First thing is to quit using microfibre cloth and use only 100% Egyptian cotton, Terrycloth towel. Cut all the hems and any embroidering off and use only the filet mingon. For cleaner I use Smartwax waterless wash and wax sealant. I'm sure you will find this product to be the answer to your problem.

 

I will never, ever get a black car again. It looks great when I've just washed and waxed it, but the next day it's getting dirty again. It's also a real bugger to keep cool on a hot day, even with the a/c on.

You'd also be shocked at how easily it scratches OR how easily the scratches show, though mine has had a hard life.

I wouldn't worry about it though. It's still a nice colour and it's still a nice car. Enjoy it until the next one.

 

Light scratches can be polished out. I have the solar sunroof and a windshield screen so the heat is not an issue for me. In terms of dust, I've had good luck with Amazon.com: California Car Duster 62443 Car Duster: Automotive in between washes. You have to be careful and only use it very lightly, but it does work well.

 

For great protection and ease of use I really like the Finish Kare products. The Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax and 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine are an excellent combination. The wax can last 6 months, and maintaining the surface with quick applications of the detailer puts on such a shinny and slippery coating that it's easy to keep the surface clean.

 

The very first thing after getting black Prius was to switch to the touchless car wash, using at the end of the cycle the de-mineralised water. I wipe my car only after waxing or polishing with silicone shine. Anyway - after couple of hours outside - especially during the summer (dust, pollens) the shine is gone. We have to live with it enjoying the nice apperance of the Prius-in-black.
Recently I found the ad of the company, which offers the entire body maintenance using some sort of quartz layer. There is a shop near my place offering the treatment, but when they told me the price of it, I gave up as for now

Official Zymol Website - Home

 

Jeweler's Rouge?

 

See if they have this in your area .. makes your life easier with cleaning the car

Welcome to PermaFinish

 

Use a 2 bucket wash method with a proper soft mitt and grit guards in buckets. Buy excellent drying towels. You want to minimize swirls when cleaning. Spend an hour and read this... Auto Detailing Guide - Detailed Image


iPhone ?

 

Try drying it with an electric leaf blower instead of towels. It really helps. Don't use a gas one though, as that can put an exhaust film on the paint. This is what I do when I can. I just spot pat dry the remaining water drops with a microfiber towel afterwards

Another thing you can do is get a water deionizer system for your hose. Then you can just allow it to air dry and there would be no water spots.

Basically the less you touch the paint, the better. Yet you still have to keep it clean etc.

 

Another life's lesson learned !
I owned one black car in the 60's What a PITA. Always had towels and spray wax in the trunk to clean up after a rain. Silver,gray or tan are the best for hiding dirt! I am now 65 years old and have found that unless your Friends are body men or detail freaks the average car owner does not pay any attention to your car.!! ( unless there is several weeks of salt on it !)

 

I forget where I saw this recommendation but I've been using a leaf blower for the last few years. It's amazing how good the car looks when using it. And no more scratches.