Keeping the Prius shiny...

Applying Zaino Show Car Polish You should dawn, clay, and apply Z2. Skip the Z-AIO for now as it's brand new.

 

OK thanks much.

So even though the car is brand new should I still clay?

Thanks

 

Hi Gman777:

I got my 2010 October 31, and I dawn washed and then clayed the car before a regiment of Z-AIO, two coats of Z-5 w/ZFX, followed by a coat of Z-2 w/ZFX -- all the while spraying a layer of Z-6 between coats.

A bit of overkill? Perhaps. But, since the car is new, what better time to properly prep it and put protective layers of sealant on the paint?

I have the car outside and live in an area full of marinas, as such, if it's not raining, there's a lot of dirt in the air. So, I am not sorry that I took the extra effort to make sure the prep was right to begin with...:thumb:

As for the glass, I used a product called Aquapel, which is available through Amazon.

______________________________
Mark

Model V w/ATP, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Dark Grey Interior

 

Yes, you should still clay. You'll remove contaminants the car has accumulated since leaving the factory and prep the surface for the Zaino treatment. Z-AIO is overkill in my opinion, as it contains abrasive and I don't see the need for abrasive on new paint when you could remove contaminants using non-abrasive clay.

 

OK. Thanks for the help and advice folks.

I ordered the starter kit from Zaino's. I'll post some pics once I get them up to par!

Cheers

 

Great, have fun! By the way, allow yourself plenty of time for the first application. I see you live in Chicago, so it's going to be cold soon. Zaino, unlike other waxes, likes it warmer. Make sure you use the ZFX accelerant which comes with the kit otherwise each layer will take a very long time to dry.

 

I'd love to see pics of a Prius after being Zaino'ed!

 

Enjoy.

 

Re: Keeping the Prius shiny...in the Winter..

Now that Winter is almost here, what's your advice for keeping the Prius clean? I don't have a garage so it's subject to all the elements, plus nasty dirty snow mixed with road salt and sand. During the summer, I've been washing with Mr. Clean Autodry car wash system (dries without water spots), then wax it (started with Zaino, now added carnauba wax).

During the winter, when I turn the outside water off (or even when I haven't turn off the water but just don't feel like doing a full wash), what are my options? I could go to the automatic car wash, which is okay, but I'm always afraid will scratch my car, especially the winter grey. Would something like Optimum No Rinse work for me?

Is there any waterless way of cleaning it? If it's not too dirty, I sometimes just wipe it down with Zaino-Z-6. But I don't think that would be very good if there's a lot of dirt on the car. Any other suggestions?

 

Re: Keeping the Prius shiny...in the Winter..

You answered your own question, Optimum No Rinse for sure. I wouldn't Z-6 it unless you do it every night and certainly won't Z-6 it if there's any visible dust/dirt on it. Too much potential for scratching.

 

Re: Keeping the Prius shiny...in the Winter..

A couple of questions:

1. I'd never heard of Optimum No Rinse, but a little web checking indicates it's very well regarded. Any precautions in using it, like don't use it if there is a particular type of debris on the car?

2. I washed the car for the first time a few days ago (along with claying and an application of Klasse AIO, Glaze, and P21S). I found the wheel wells were very difficult to clean. After several days of rain, there was a layer of mud that I tried to rinse away with a garden wand, mostly unsuccessfully. I also had difficulty getting my hand and a wash rag into the wells due to the limited clearance. Part of the rear wells have textured surface that really retains debris. Does anyone have a technique or device (brush or whatever) for cleaning the wells? I don't need to keep them spotless, but I'd like to be able to clean the "visable" areas.

 

I just got my 2010 Prius White and like to give it a coat of wax before the winter. Should I use a straight Carb wax or a wax cleaner in one for the first wax?

 

If you plan on checking out Zaino or similiar that bonds with the paint, you'll have to use a strong dishwasher detergent wash to get the wax off first.


Wax is nice too.. but takes care more often.

Another thought... if its your passion to keep the car looking showroom, then claybar even though its new, but I would rather see someone go middle of the road than not do it at all because frankly its just too much time and hassle.

Many people need a way to keep the car looking nice without having to go crazy......I do Zaino.. that allows the car to shed dirt easily and the automatic "touchless" car washes knocks the dirt off well to get me by till I'm in the mood for a real wash.

Especially in the cold season.. I look for ways to not have to get out in the driveway and mess with water as much as I can.

Waxes are nice but take lots of attention and work to maintain... the protection doesn't last near as long as Zaino.

To each his own.

 

Re: Keeping the Prius shiny...in the Winter..

I've never used it, as I have easy access to water and I don't see the point in my case when it's safer to hose down first.

They sell wheel brushes, which you can find in the automobile section of Big Lot and other stores. What I've done right before a tire rotation is jack up and remove each wheel for an application of Zaino AIO and Clear Seal on the inside. Makes it much easier to rinse off and keep clean.

 

Same here. The thing I like about Zaino is also the selection of products I can use if I'm just in the mood for a little Z-6 shine between washes or add another layer of Z-5 or Z-2 if I'm in the mood to "baby" it a little more. I am impressed with how "relatively" clean it looks even after driving in the rain and traffic "mist".

 

Yep.. you can go hog wild and do a full showroom showcar type job or a practicle easy job.

Zaino goes on very easy and off very easy and its absolutely amazing what it does.
Its really hard for anything to stick to the surface..

At first glance it looks very complicated and expensive.. but I'm still using the same bottle I bought 2 years ago.

 

Wow! The pictures of the detailed cars are AWESOME!!! Too bad I'm waaaay too lazy to do that, I would love it!!

 

I have a bottle of NU FINISH. Is it ok to use on my new Prius?

 

Yes, I've used it in the past. Lasts a pretty long time. Not as easy to use nor does it last as long as Zaino though.