Protecting Your New Prius' Exterior

I picked up some experience in 'Claying' my 1988 pickup this week. Clay-barring removes 'stuff' bonded to the exterior making the finish smooth so waxing is more effective.

My 10-month old Prius will need claying before next wax, and it has been in the garage a lot. Has just a little over 6k miles.

I recommend watching some online videos on how to clay. Helped me learn how to shape the clay and to use light pressure. Good idea to practice on an older car or try a small area of a newer car first.

 

Mine needed a good "Claying" right off the ship. I haven't done it yet out of concern referred to in the first post. I can't wait to get her smooth and silky and wax her up right

Lee

 

There's no need to wait to detail your car--modern paints aren't like the old ones where you had to wait for the paint to cure.

I clayed & waxed my Prius as soon as I got it (as I do with all new cars).

Claying is very easy:
--kneed the clay bar in you hands for a minute or so, to allow the clay to soften a bit from your body heat
--form the clay into a bar shape
--spray lubricant on a 2' x 2' area, then--with very slight pressure--glide the clay over the lubricated surface
--dry area with a clean cloth
--fold the bar in half to conceal the dirty surface and reshape
--repeat

The key is to use plenty of lubricant, and not apply too much pressure. Naturally, claying should be done after washing the car (no need to dry it), and you need to wax afterwards.

It's amazing how it works (you'll see the surface contaminents on the bar as you go). To really get an appreciation, before starting, put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and gently rub a surface--you'll feel the little bumps. Try again after claying--smooth as silk.

 

Yes. I had to get my car clayed after it had gotten some paint overspray on it. It came out like glass. Was great.

 

I'm getting ready to trade-in my 10-year-old Saab (for my new Prius) and see there's a sizable smudge of whiteish paint on the side view mirror where some inconsiderate soul swiped me up against me. Would using a clay bar take that off??

thanks!

 

I've had similar white marks on the front facing sides of my mirrors.

Some light rubbing compound or even a good cleaning wax with a microfiber cloth should run the marks out (if they are light surface marks)

Good luck!

 

I have a question about waxing my new Prius in the heat of summer. I live in North Texas (Dallas area) and the average temp these days is around 100. Is it even possible or advised to clean/wax your car with this kind of heat? I don't have any way to do this in a covered area. I just noticed in directions to Zaino products (perhaps others as well?) they do not advocate waxing your car in the sun/heat. I really want to protect my new investment and keep her looking good for years to come! I suppose I can do this in the late evening, but the heat is still pretty intense and evaporation occurs quickly.

Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks!

 

Do it in the evening or where you have shade, not in direct sunlight and after the surface of the metal has cooled from exposure in direct sunlight. The high temperature of the ambient air should not adversely affect the treatment.

 

I must say, before coming to Prius Chat I never heard of "clay bar".

 

Agreed--or you could do it early in the morning.

 

I'd never heard of "fallout" before working at the dealership. I still get a lot of weird looks when I tell people about the metal particles that can get embedded in the paint. Clay treatments are great.

The paint sealant can really help in my experience. But for those of you who have covered garages and like to detail/polish the vehicles, it will be much more rewarding to DIY.

 

So what I'm getting here is it IS safe and a good idea to clay and/or wax your new car? Mine is coming up on a month old. Should I contact a good auto detailer and get the works?

Also, any suggestions for a detailer in LA would be appreciated.

 

What do you use as a lubricant?

 

For the clay bar, I presume? The bars I've bought come in a package with a spray bottle of lubricant.

 

I mixed a half cap of my car wash (Zaino's Z-7) into 12 oz of water, and used a spray bottle I picked up at Target. It's nice to keep a rag in your pocket to wipe up any excess spray.

The claybar is really slick, I've heard that using a rubber glove will help to hold onto it. Don't drop it; if you do it will pick up all the dirt on the ground!

 

Absolutely. My car is a month old. A few days after I took delivery, I clayed and waxed it, and a few days ago waxed it again.

 

Me either Pat - Now I have a chunk of clay sitting here along with oodles of cleaning and polishing potions - all thanks to PriusChat.

 

Thanks. Getting a clay and wax on Wed.