1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

quick car wash - gas station ok?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by galacticenergy, Aug 15, 2016.

  1. D_n_D

    D_n_D Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2016
    42
    21
    0
    Location:
    Auburn, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I feel the brushless car washes are better then those with brushes. I have minimal new scratches and tons of water spots from a brand new quick quack car wash.

    Now I use optimum rinsless wash and wax and it does a great job. Avg 1g water and 1 gallon rinse water for the rags.

    Using bruces glass water spot remover to get rid of the water spots on the glass.(thanks to a pc user recommending it to me)

    2013 Prius v not V for the Prius v wagon 3

    Ps bring a good microfiber or towel to dry off the missed water. As they don't dry 100%
     
  2. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    2,267
    2,571
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Coast Highway
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    We all have time.... Nobody is running 24 hrs a day. :) But I can understand not having a driveway to wash a car. I lived in a condo at one time.

    I used those gas station car washes a few times with my Camry. You just sit there, and those awful plastic things whip over/around your car. It scratched the crap out of my Camry, especially the spoiler and bumpers where those plastic things linger for a minute. Never again.

    When I don't wash my Prius at home, I go to the "quarter" car wash, the do-it-yourself place, where you get out and spray down the car yourself. And dry it yourself. And vacuum it yourself. No brushes; No scratches. Get some exercise, and a job well done.
     
    GaryD1 and booke02 like this.
  3. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,389
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I'm a quarter car wash guy too. It's hell walking around wtih $5.00 in quarters...
     
    Coast Cruiser and GaryD1 like this.
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,796
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Mr. Supremely Cautious Says....

    If you've never force charged your Prius before?
    Trying it for the first time while in a tight line at a car wash, might not be the best idea.

    You're one slip on the brake or mistiming away from making the nightly local news. And NOT in a good way.

    So even though I'm aware of this process, I hesitate to recommend it.
     
    D_n_D likes this.
  5. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2016
    275
    126
    1
    Location:
    DC area
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I wish there were do it yourself car washes around here, I've looked. Closest one to me is like 50 miles.
     
  6. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    2,267
    2,571
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Coast Highway
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The place I use gives change in dollar coins. I have quite a collection of Sacajawea's! But I also just swipe my credit card... it gives you a couple extra bonus minutes for using your card. ;) I like the "Rain-X" spray wax. It seems to work well, in between the times when I do a hand-wax job.
     
  7. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    2,267
    2,571
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Coast Highway
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    :(

    Yeah, there's not as many around here, as there used to be.
     
  8. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,389
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a "container" in my prius that I bought on a Japanese autoparts site that sits in my door jamb. I keep about $50.00 in dollar coins there. Always have change for a car wash or a big gulp.
     
    Coast Cruiser likes this.
  9. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,389
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    It's funny, there are two within walking distance from my house. Only thing is that when you walk, you don't have the car to wash...
     
    pjm877 and Coast Cruiser like this.
  10. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    2,267
    2,571
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Coast Highway
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Good idea. There's no where in that car to keep change.

    I got bored the other day, and I lined the glove box, and the center console box with black stick-on felt. It keeps the rattles down, and now my flashlight doesn't slide around. And I ordered that stick-on sound-deadening material from eBay... I thought I would try that in the spare tire well.
     
    krmcg likes this.
  11. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    535
    402
    0
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I get washed every time it rains.
     
    Fanatic, krmcg and Coast Cruiser like this.
  12. Fanatic

    Fanatic Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2016
    56
    45
    0
    Location:
    Plano, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Natures magic, plus it's always complimentary... ; )
     
  13. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    NO Run Forest run.
     
  14. MichelleStone

    MichelleStone Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2016
    549
    817
    0
    Location:
    Mariposa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    When I brought my new car home this week I decided it sorely needed a wash and wax. It's so dry here and the car had collected more dust than my other cars usually get. I noticed it had lots of water spots. The dust just clings to those. It had probably been setting outside at a dealership since the first part of May when it was "dealer inspected." I didn't have any spot remover products here so I used some vinegar. I've used it before for this purpose. I don't know if will hurt the finish or not. But I put on three coats of Meguires spray wax afterwards. I've never used the spray wax. It was pretty easy. I think the next time I detail the car, I'll use a cream wax. The spray is good for quickies.