Wait time for 1st wash and wax?

Wax it now, before it gets dirty! Wait until it cools down, maybe. The paint is baked and has a clearcoat, so whatever curing it needs has already happened. Soap can hurt, actually, if you use the wrong kind. The commonly used dish soap will strip the wax right off, so look for a premium 'automotive shampoo' instead.

 

Picked up mine last Thursday night, and got caught in one of our patented monsoon / dust storms here in Arizona on Saturday. Holy cow, mix dirt and rain and you get mud, looked like I had gone four-wheelin. Rained again Sunday, so I got to give my Prius its first loving wash after work yesterday. Meguire's is your friend

 

Ditto what others have said, the paint is hard cured from the factory and you can wax it now. In fact, they waxed it at the dealer before you took delivery of it.

 

Use to use Meguiars...just tried Nu Finish. What a difference! Went on easily...and did not have to have the car surface cool like with was. Also did not leave as much residue to find later.

Would highly recommend!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jul 18 2006, 09:24 PM) [snapback]288540[/snapback]</div>

I used to use Nu Finish on my Celica yearrrrrrrrrs ago, it did work great, and I'll probably use it again for the Prius. Just did the wash yesterday, figured I didn't need to wax it anytime soon. That, and it's 115 degrees out here, not exactly "take-your-time" waxing weather, you know. I just wanted to get the mud off and get back inside to my AC and cold beer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AZTriGuy @ Jul 18 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]288543[/snapback]</div>

I know, the heat is killing us here too! Stupid me in the garage last night polishing the wife's truck! I think I lost 10 pounds in water weight! You are right about that "not taking your time" weather...save a beer for me!

 

I wouldn't use NuFinish personally, its loaded with cleaners and abrasives. Its a very old wax.

If you want a good, easy to use, one step product and don't want to get into really detailing I'd reccomend something like Meguiars NXT or Eagle One's Nanowax.