New Prius--wax, sealant, clear 3M bra????

I don't think any sealant or wax available can prevent chips from stones. The best you can hope for is a slight reduction in chips because of the reduction in surface friction helping things slide off rather than dig in when the object strikes at a shallow angle (like when my SUV got pasted by a wall of sand from a CalTrans sand truck). But a rock strike at a near-perpendicular angle? Forget it.

I've had just about every high-end sealant on every car I've owned in the last ten years, and all my cars eventually got a few small pits in the (painted plastic) bumper from rock strikes.

You'll need a clear bra if you want to prevent all chips.

 

I don't know that any of the above suggestions will reduce the chance of chipped paint, etc., but I also don't think the Prius is more susceptible to paint damage than other vehicles. It just hasn't been my experience.

The only paint damage I have (1.5 years in) is on the rear bumper because somebody leaned something really heavy against it. I guess I should say it's the only paint damage I've had in the past -- It's being fixed as I type this by a body shop while they also remove a door ding.

As for wax - I received my Zaino products in the mail today and I hope to wax the car with them this weekend. Hopefully I remember to take before and after pictures. It's probably the only time I've ever been excited to wash and wax a car. We'll see how it turns out.

 

Whether or not Prius paint is thinner than on other cars aside, many of us do believe (I'll be brazen and say "know") that the front of the Prius IS more susceptible than average to stone chips. This is particularly true of the lower and middle hood, because of the hood's slant.

You do not mention a vinyl front end mask (or "bra") as an option. Why? If you've considered and rejected it, your only option is then the "clear bra". Several here have invested in it and seem to like it. It's quite a bit more expensive ($300-$1,000) than a two-piece removable vinyl bra ($115), depending on how much surface you have covered. Good installers don't seem to be in plentiful supply, either, though usually a handful can be found in large urban areas.

As stated, no wax or sealant will ward off stone chips well.

 

The subject of paint came up When I picked up my Prius from the body shop this evening (sans a door ding and chips in the paint). The shop owner said if the Prius is more susceptible to paint damage than other vehicles, it's not because of the paint, itself.

According to him, almost every major car manufacturer has gone to great lengths to use as little paint as possible as a way to cut costs. Several years ago, manufacturers began using paint that could be applied thinner than ever before, but they failed to provide adequate clearcoat protection for such a thin layer of paint, and there was a sharp increase in vehicles whose paint succumbed to the elements and just "flaked off." Newer vehicles are now better-protected by improvements in the clearcoat, but they still have very little paint on them.

I can see how the slant of the hood could allow the paint to be more easily damaged.

 

I can see how the slant of the hood could allow the paint to be more easily damaged.
[/quote]

Drive it a few weeks and you'll agree, the slanted hood is a magnet to things that without a bra or ClearBra would give you dings or worse. After three wee little dings I went for the ClearBra and am totally sold on it. Which brings me to my question. Posted earlier but never quiet answered.

After a ClearBra is installed I understand I should wax or apply sealer on it as well as the rest of the body. My question is MUST I put a coat of wax or polish first or can I just apply a sealer? Its been sugggestewd to me I could do the latter and be quite happy with the result. I have the Super White thus it not being a deep color such as the black,blues or similar so am not that concerned about that warm dark look.

All opinions are welcome.

And for those people that suggested I write to Zaino for a knowledgable and quick reply. It didn't happen. I never heard from them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger3125 @ May 18 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]257835[/snapback]</div>

Different experiences for different folks, I guess. Probably why this forum was invented! I've been driving my Prius for 82 weeks now and have yet to encounter any serious pitting or chipping problems. Do your roads have a lot of rocks and sand on them?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger3125 @ May 18 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]257835[/snapback]</div>

Don't take this as an authoritative answer, but functionally I don't know that it makes a difference. The bra effectively seals the painted area it covers. Personally, without any other direction I'd probably take it down to the clear coat and then apply the bra, since I'd have to remove the bra should I ever want to strip the wax underneath. That would allow me to keep a consistant coat of wax on top of the bra and across the entire surface of the car and wouldn't draw undue attention to the clear bra. I'm by no means an expert on the subject; it would just be my way of thought if I were doing it without experience looking over my shoulder.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger3125 @ May 18 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]257835[/snapback]</div>

Hmm. They don't have that reputation AFAIK. Maybe they don't feel comfortable answering a question about a product they don't make, or maybe they are researching it? do not know.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger3125 @ May 18 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]257835[/snapback]</div>

Do you have a photo of the clear bra? I can't find one by googling 3M.

 

I took some pictures of the clear bra and posted them here.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&showtopi...ndpost&p=232623

They were very hard to get because its hard to take pictures of "invisible" stuff.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dutch in dallas @ May 19 2006, 01:55 AM) [snapback]257940[/snapback]</div>

I had the 3m clear bra put on, don't even notice it. Must people whom look at the car do not see it.

Going to Zanio this weekend (finally) will also try to remember before and after pictures.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(notsure @ May 19 2006, 08:36 AM) [snapback]257989[/snapback]</div>

Please post your experience putting on the Zaino and which Zaino product(s) you used. Phtoos would be great but not absolutely ncessary.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger3125 @ May 18 2006, 07:50 PM) [snapback]257835[/snapback]</div>

You never apply sealant over wax, because most sealants won't bond when applied over wax. In most cases it's wax OR sealant, not wax AND sealant. Only real detailing nuts^H^H^H^Henthusiasts apply wax on top of sealant.

As far as applying a polish before a wax or sealant - that depends on the condition of whatever you're applying it to. Using the commonly accepted definition of a polish, a polish does one or more of the following: 1) Burnishes the finish to a high gloss using extremely fine abrasives, 2) Cleans the paint using a mild chemical cleaner, 3) Fills in minor swirls with clay, 4) Conditions paint and adds gloss through use of gloss enahancers and/or oils. A brand new clear bra on a new car probably doesn't need any of those things done to it, so you should be able to skip applying any kind of polish. At most (and you probably don't need to do this) you might apply a one-step product with a mild cleaner such as Klasse AIO, followed by sealant.

 

Long post...

Well, my muscles are a little sore, but I successfully Zainoed my 2005 Driftwood Pearl Prius last weekend. And, I brought pictures:
Pictures returning soon

Before Zaino: Front (after Dawn wash)
[img_brandon]http://priuschat.com/uploads/1147197480/gallery_3068_43_13994.jpg[/img_brandon]

After Zaino: Front
[img_brandon]http://priuschat.com/uploads/1147197480/gallery_3068_43_17760.jpg[/img_brandon]

Before Zaino: Back (before Dawn wash)
[img_brandon]http://priuschat.com/uploads/1147197480/gallery_3068_43_20290.jpg[/img_brandon]

After Zaino: Back
[img_brandon]http://priuschat.com/uploads/1147197480/gallery_3068_43_11104.jpg[/img_brandon]


As you can see, the finish was in pretty good shape before I applied the Zaino products, so the difference wasn't as dramatic as I had anticipated, but it was still very much worth the work in my opinion.

Here's how I spent my Saturday:

1. Washed the car using Dawn liquid dish soap. It's high alkaline content removed existing wax, oils, etc. but left the clearcoated paint unharmed.

*EDIT* I've done some research on pH levels of various soap products and talked to several knowledgeable chemistry-type people, and I'm no longer convinced the alkalinity of Dawn has anything to do with its ability to cut through wax. But in any case, the stuff works.

2. Used a claybar to remove contaminants from the front of the car and along the bottom edge, especially around the wheels. I can't remember the brand name, but I found a $10 box at the local AutoZone that contained a claybar and the lube.

3. Washed the car again, but this time used the Zaino Z-7 car wash. After washing it, I pulled into the shade and dried it off to prevent waterspotting.

4. Mixed one ounce of Zaino Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish with 4 drops of ZFX Cure Accelerator Additive per the included directions.

5. Applied Zaino Z-2 PRO to the car using the polish applicator pad (per included directions) and waited 20 minutes. Then I buffed it off using 100% cotton terry cloths (made in Pakistan). Then I applied the Z-6 Gloss Enhancer (per included directions).

6. Performed the above step two more times for a total of three coats of Zaino Z-2 PRO and Z-6. My arms and back were tired at this point. :wacko:

7. Applied the Zaino Z-12 Glass Polish, allowed to haze for 5 minutes, then buffed off. I was impressed with this stuff more than anything else. Do one window then compare it to one that hasn't been done and you'll see the difference.

8. Took a much-needed shower.

The next day I cleaned the dash and plastic interior by using a wet microfiber cloth, and then I vacuumed the rest of the interior.

I think I may add a few more coats in the near future. Other forum sites have said you'll use about half an ounce of Z-2 PRO per coat, but I was able to apply three coats using only about three-fourths of an ounce, so I think my coats may be somewhat thin. The directions simply say to use the product sparingly...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ May 22 2006, 01:57 PM) [snapback]259377[/snapback]</div>

Please stop spreading this misinformation. Dawn dishwashing soap has a pH of about 7.2, so it must have been something other than "high alkaline content" that cleaned your paint.

 

The pH of Dawn (10% solution) is actually 8-9 according to the MSDS (PDF). It is not pH neutral like some of the soaps hospitals use.

Alas, I'm no chemical engineer (although I work next door to one - maybe I'll ask him). I have found other car wash concentrates with even higher alkalinity and they don't harm the wax, so maybe it is something else. I just know what I've read from the Zaino website, PriusChat, and a great number of other forums that all say it is due to the alkaline properties of the product.

 

Look at the reflection those doors! Hoozah, that's nice.

 

I've been a NuFinish animal for many years and it really made my previous cars look great and it would last really well too.

With the Prius, I connected with a "Dealer Prep" guy at the local Toyota place and he charged me $60 for washing and "waxing" it with the professional stuff Toyota uses when prepping a car for sale.

The stuff has lasted well, although I can't tell the difference between that and what NuFinish would do. It's a new car and it's nice and shiny.

The guy said I was getting a great price at $60, it seemed kind of high to me.

I've only had that done once, I have only owned the car since November 2005. I'd be interested in comments about whether it's a good deal or not.