Wax on, wax off

I have never hand waxed any of my cars. There was a thread that interested me to try, so I bought a few detailing goods, including spray wax that was recommended by fellow Prius owners. But I still have not waxed my 2020 PP. What I read was waxing twice a year is sufficient? But since I have never done it, I don't know. I plan to give my 2020 PP (now 8 mo old with 3K miles) a good wash and the first-ever wax before winter settles. All of our cars sit outside 24/7/365, subject to dust, dirt, mud, bugs, bird poops, tree sap, pollen, rain, snow, ice, salt, etc. Any effect of car wash and polish is very short-lived.

Here is the thread discussing various choices of waxes available on market. And there are tons of them...
Questions about cleaning and waxing the Prius Prime | PriusChat

 

FWIW
On a new car, some say the paint is fully cured, yet conservatively, there are solvents that are evaporating so you want the paint fully cured/ dry and IMO some additional time should be given.
I'd wait 3 month to six months from production date before waxing.
In that waiting time, wash the car to keep the paint surface extremely clean.

Then for members who are not wax hobbyists, waxing the car at the season changes it great protection and easy to remember schedule.
Here's a recommendation for Meguires products available at Wal Mart et al... #7 Mirror Glaze followed by # 26 Hi Tech yellow paste wax.
Always use new foam applicators and mirco fiber towels to reduce swirls and micro scratches.
But that's another long subject...search the 'net for detail forums...how to, recommendations etc.

Have fun

 

Spring and Fall here, just basic wash'n wax.

 

Many years ago I bought a claybar holder (pad with center hole for clay) for a Porter Cable random orbital from Griot's Garage. I just spray a little speed shine on the paint and the claybar just slides along and picks up everything. It's very easy.

 

I picked up a clay-bar when I bought recommended spray wax. The instruction said if I drop it on the ground then it is shot. I can't use it again. But if I used it on a car, can I use it over and over? Or is it good to use a new bar every time? If it can be used repeatedly, how do I tell when it is time to replace with a new one?

 

In For what it’s worth, I have been hand waxing my 2005 Prius 2x since it was new. 15 years and 245,000 miles later it’s still looking great. It’s never been garage kept. About a year ago the clear coat on the spoiler and mirrors has started to go. I have to keep applying Meguiar’s PlastX to the headlights to keep them crystal clear.

 

I've yet to wax on. Waxing off, well you gotta waxon first, no? ha ha??

I've yet to wax on becasue I have two areas - passenger door and hood near windscreen that need base color and final coat. So if I wax I'll have to take it off anyway and I'd rather have the entire body one shade of steel blonde metalic to match than have two different shades to try an match - blend to match.
The areas are so small I may be able to get away with touchup brushon base and clear. The deep sharp dents go all the way through the base coat, but the primer is still solid and appears to adaquite so far.
I've already done about - what I'd say is - 90% of the body work using amature paintless dent repair tools.
I have a few areas that need extra care to fix properly. One oil can in the door and the 2 inch gash in the hood where a brick that smashed the windscreen also dented the hood. Yes I got Brixed... by one of the friendly neighborhoos vandellas, got my front door with the same brix I imagine. We both heard the front door incident or we would have reported in the after sun up instead of 1 am. With snow on the ground it was still not clear from the one set of prints in the snow on the side walk whom might be the wonderful vandella that struck that night.
Shu - got that one off my chest a year later.
No need for pity, sfuff happens....
edit: the brixit happened the early morning after I responded to the the thread here about the cats being stolen in London or the UK. coincident? you decide, but to me, well whatevah...