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How often do you wash your PiP, what precaution you take

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by rockfeller, Sep 10, 2012.

  1. rockfeller

    rockfeller Junior Member

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    Hello,
    I bought PiP 3weeks back, But I see there is lot of 'dust' and 'black suit' already.
    And now want to wash. Is there any precaution need be taken ?, Not self wash , but outside.

    Or is there a way to make car not go dirty with some magic wax , and worth it ?.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    brought her home april 24th. 3500 miles later, haven't washed her yet. probably should tho. cleaned some seagull poop off a couple times.:)
     
  3. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!

    You really should take better care of your PIP
     
  4. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

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    Waxing the front end helps alot with bugs in summer....they wash off much easier.

    You can use a car duster if you dont see rain for alongtime, but you want to dust it off frequently so the soot does not build up too thick.

    Dan
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mia culpa, i've never really been a car guy in that way.:(
     
  6. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    No car wash places near you?

    slip em five bucks n da car wash machine does da rest
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The big downside of dodging regular washing: you will be missing the inevitable minor dings and scratches that occur, and they will start quietly rusting. Mark my words, LOL.

    Not drying it by hand, just letting it drip-dry, is almost as bad: you don't spot the issues. Bi-yearly waxing too, better do it. ;)
     
  8. PRPrius

    PRPrius Active Member

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  9. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    I'm proud of you, not like that Bisco gal
     
  10. NinnJinn

    NinnJinn Member

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    I stopped hand washing my vehicles.. Every time I would wash them the madder I would get due to inconsiderate people banging the doors into my car.
     
  11. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    I just washed mine for the first time. Blizzard Pearl doesn't show the dirt that much, but once I started I could see just how dirty it was.

    And the doors kept locking and unlocking....lol. I thought that while I was scrunching over the Key Fob was doing it. Nope, I read a bit more of the manual and it says in there that will happen if you don't remove the Fob from your pocket while washing. Something to do with water on the door handle sensor.
     
  12. rockfeller

    rockfeller Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the nice replies.
    For now I will take my PiP to touch-free car wash which spray water, and air-blow dry to keep
    my cost less with some shampoo(mulit-colored feel good spray!.). Also I will get Coral Wax Spray, to avoid
    dust accumulating.
     
  13. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    I hand wash mine as needed, usually every two to three weeks, unless it rains. In between, I use a duster, window cleaner, and Maguires Quick Detail, which removes water spots, bird droppings, etc. Regular waxing makes it all easier.
    I take my clients' cars to carwashes if asked, but never my own.
     
  14. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Wash once, sometimes twice-weekly. 5k miles and have waxed once. I use a local car wash. They charge me $10 a wash plus tip


    iPhone ?
     
  15. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    Once a month. As for precautions, I go to hand wash places to avoid swirls/scratches on the paint. Also, I get the automatic wax which doesn't last long, but I believe last for my monthly wash/wax interval. The paint on my 2004 still looks quite good, but I also did annual hand waxes myself for the first few years before getting tired of it.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i washed my 08 probably twice in 4 years. i find that it gets to a certain level of dirty and kinda stays that way. not really noticeable cause it happens so gradually. after almost 5 years now, it still looks like new.:)
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wash it somewhere between 4~8 weeks, leaning toward 8 most times, most of the year. In dead of winter: whenever it warms up a bit, to get the salt off.

    Wheel wells always get special attention: in my experience that's the place rust will start. If you're just using a carwash, you're guaranteed to have a nice poultice of mud/salt in there...
     
  18. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Have they now started to sell PiP's in Canada?
     
  19. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    Yes although there are very limited numbers of them being delivered now.
     
  20. -Rozi-

    -Rozi- Member

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    So really ... Is there any precaution (other than with the regular cars) need be taken?
    I am getting mine next month and do not want to do something wrong at the very beginning.