Proper way to wash Prius 5

Not the way to treat the paint. If you just want to keep the car for 2-3 yrs, then keep doing what you’re doing. Car maintenance isn’t for everyone but you can always tell which cars are neglected

 

I usually wax my vehicles yearly with Nu Finish and was going to this year but found Mequiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax in a spray bottle and researched it on YouTube. I applied it to our two Priis and very pleased with how shiny they are. It's warmer today so re-washing mine and, for maintenance, you just spray a little bit while the car is wet and dry with a microfiber cloth.

Here's a detailer testing it out...he liked it, too....

Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax : Spray & Rinse Protection! NEW !!! - YouTube

 

Just got my second 2023 Prius. First one is Supersonic Red LE, second one is Wind Chill Pearl. Traded 2021 Silver for LE. Traded 2018 One for XLE. Promised wife would buy anything for a while. I have an exceptional car care wash and detail place here in Decorah, Iowa. The touchless car wash has 5 levels. I was using the $12 one with 2 coats of wax (11 coupons for $100) on the trade-ins. Now I moved up the one that has a last coat of ceramic wax. $18 (7 coupons for $100). Steve will also do a complete ceramic coating for $750 - guaranteed for 5 years with touch-up each year for $100. Since I've only had the LE since 6/3/23 and XLE since 10/10/23, I don't have much history to share. I have not opted for the full ceramic coating but they can do it later for same price by cleaning the car thoroughly. The "touchless" car wash id the most fantastic operation I've ever seen. I'll probably leave out some steps if I try to decscibe. I'll find the makers name and post again. I lucked out to find the LE available in Rochester MN. Really happy with the new platform, but it is dam# hard to get in at 83 years old. Absolutely love the way it drives and new dashboard layout. Unfortunately, a big buck deer got his antlers in the drivers side mirror and $12,000 later it's back on the road. 2023 Prius Pictures
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Just got my second 2023 Prius. First one is Supersonic Red LE, second one is Wind Chill Pearl. Traded 2021 Silver for LE. Traded 2018 One for XLE. Promised wife would buy anything for a while. I have an exceptional car care wash and detail place here in Decorah, Iowa. The touchless car wash has 5 levels. I was using the $12 one with 2 coats of wax (11 coupons for $100) on the trade-ins. Now I moved up the one that has a last coat of ceramic wax. $18 (7 coupons for $100). Steve will also do a complete ceramic coating for $750 - guaranteed for 5 years with touch-up each year for $100. Since I've only had the LE since 6/3/23 and XLE since 10/10/23, I don't have much history to share. I have not opted for the full ceramic coating but they can do it later for same price by cleaning the car thoroughly. The "touchless" car wash id the most fantastic operation I've ever seen. I'll probably leave out some steps if I try to decscibe. I'll find the makers name and post again. I lucked out to find the LE available in Rochester MN. Really happy with the new platform, but it is dam# hard to get in at 83 years old. Absolutely love the way it drives and new dashboard layout. Unfortunately, a big buck deer got his antlers in the drivers side mirror and $12,000 later it's back on the road. 2023 Prius Pictures
I wanted to get another LE but Rochester said all they were getting was all wheel drive cars. I found the XLE in Winona MN at Dahl Toyota. Has a glass roof and 21" wheels but the other stuff it has I like. Looking forward to the power seat, etc. 2023 Prius XLE Pictures
I'll try to let you know how I like the ceramic car washes. Do not do car washes with brushes or rags.

 

Don't want to talk about how much I spent, but my order of ~2 years worth of detailing supplies is (mostly) arriving today. (A couple stragglers from Amazon are coming tomorrow and next week.)

About 75% of the order is coming from Car Supplies Warehouse and another 20% is coming from Sky's the Limit Car Care. Almost everything is either from CarPro(chemicals) or The Rag Company(towels/applicators). My brain likes as much consistency as possible, so sticking to one company per side was a big plus for me. I ended up going with CarPro over Gtechniq, Gyeon, Koch-Chemie, P/S, etc. mostly because of their clear naming, labeling, instructions, and website.

The total price got pretty high because I'm going to coat pretty much the entire car in semi-permanent products. Almost all those products come in glass bottles, and if you know detailing products, products in glass bottles = expensive. lol

Why am I doing this? Mostly because I'm lazy. The coatings will generally last 6 months to 2 years depending on the product/surface. The paint is already protected for 5-10 years. Tires, wheels, and glass will be 6 months. Seats, trim, exterior plastics will be closer to 2 years. Interior plastics and carpets will probably be around 1 year. Once they're all on, cleaning the car will only take a few minutes every few weeks. A quick wash with my pressure washer and foam cannon, maybe a little scrubbing to get the bugs off, then a rinse and quick blow off with my leaf blower, and a quick wipe down of the interior to finish it off. Perfect for a lazy guy like me that also wants his car to look good for the next 15 years.

 

That was the first thing I did when I bought my truck a year ago - and it's lasted......well, as advertised.
It was a whopping $7 last year, but.....inflated to $8 in today dollars.
That, an every now and then wash with whatever liquid carwash is on sale, and some swiffers for the inside and I'm good.

I've always been a little suspicious of the spray, rinse and dry products, but the Meguiar's is fairly well thought of - so I may have to check it out - AFTER this year's hand waxing.
I take no chances when it comes to Lovebugs, Cicadas, tree sap, pine pollen, etc....etc....