Questions about cleaning and waxing the Prius Prime

Where I live, it tends to rain in the end of fall into winter and early spring. In the spring through to fall season, its pretty sunny and good. So I try to time my wash/clay/wax at the start of the sunny season. Then I would just do hand washes whenever things get dirty? I don't have a set schedule. Sometime in the winter when the water/dirt mixes real good and starts to show a little bit on the bottom/sides, I would do another wash, then clay, and then wax just because I don't like the dirt showing up there.

For the wash, I recommend using two buckets with a dirt catch maybe. Use two microfibers. One to wash the top "clean" part of the car, and the other to wash the dirtier bottom half of the car. But really you just need two buckets. One with water to rinse and the other one with the soap.

Try to buy a foam blaster with hose attachment if you can. It just makes things easier and a lot more fun. =P

Then clay bar the car, and follow whatever procedure the mfr. of the clay recommends doing. Usually using the clay with a lubricant and frequently kneading the clay over itself.

Waxing is straight forward. Apply the wax and wait for haze, then wax off with another clean microfiber towel. A buffer will make things go much faster and easier.

In terms of schedule just wash/wax to whatever is convenient to your area. You can't go wrong.

 

I use a liquid wax, spring and fall. Once a year would likely be more than enough, with our low use, but meh.

 

I use a one-bottle wax, usually McGuires, that's all. I think doing it regularly is more important than multi-stage, clay and all that. But might be wrong lol.

 

I detail cars as a hobby but I have all of the professional gear and products, too. There are some very high quality spray waxes out there but you have to know how to discern good (shine, easy on/off, UV protection, durability, etc.) from not so good.

It really depends on how much time you want to spend on your car. To answer your question about waxing over sensors, don't worry about them.

I just picked up a 2020 Prime, clayed it (not necessary unless you care), polished it with an AIO (all-in-one) and then waxed it with a high-end paste wax. Weekly, I hand wash and use a high-quality spray wax as a drying agent. The spray wax requires very little effort and if you get a good one the durability is pretty good, more than a few months for sure. I spray wax weekly but this is overkill and I buy it by the gallon. I probably spend 15 minutes drying and waxing my Prime. The entire process is about an hour (wash, dry/wax, windows, interior, etc.). Spray wax speeds up this process greatly and you get a nice workout if you work fast.

For the casual owner who wants to take care of the clearcoat I would recommend a good spray wax, at least once a month. Invest in some microfiber towels and dedicate them for your car and wash them separately from your other laundry. The ones at Costco are fine (320GSM for those who know what that means) but you can buy better ones online. Don't waste your money unless you really start serious detailing.

Stay away from automatic car washes as they will add swirls to your clearcoat and once that happens you will need to have those polished out. It is better to let your car get dirty than sending it through an automatic car wash in my opinion. Handwash with a good pH-neutral car soap (don't use laundry or dish detergent) and don't expect those wash/wax soaps to add much protection to your paint.

That said, I can very highly recommend two spray waxes.

Optimum Car Wax
McKee's Fast Wax

Both are easy on, easy off and should be available on Amazon. Optimum Car Wax is the top of the heap when it comes to spray wax. It is $50/gallon retail and well worth it. The small spray bottles are cheaper online (I think $17 on Amazon). Both of these spray waxes have really good UV absorbers in them and should be used for your lights to protect the lenses from the sun, too.

The margin on spray waxes is enormous. I buy by the gallon because I use a lot but the cost savings is substantial if you're going to do this often.

Griots Garage Best of Show Wax and Griots Garage Spray Wax are also good products.

Meguiars has too many variants and most of their wax is not as durable as the aforementioned three brands.

I think if you get one of these spray waxes you will be amazed how easy they are to spray on and buff off, even in full sun. You will also be amazed how durable they are.

Detailing products have come a long way since Blue Coral and Turtle Wax in the '70s. You don't need to sweat up a storm anymore trying to remove wax from your car.

 

I use Collinite Insulator 845 wax, liquid after shaken.
Twice a year (spring, fall)

They also have the 476S double coat Paste wax, that I sometimes put on first.

Stuff is great.

I clayed my cars first time ever last year and wow!
Takes a while but worth it.
However it was after 5 years of ownership and I do not think I need to do it but once a year or two, if that.
It actually took off some marks I thought were mini scratches/gouges or even rust pitting!

 

What else are you going to do.

I guess you could polish the PIP rims and patiently await their removal from the shrine.

 

Humm, interesting thread. I have never waxed my car that is other than occasional automatic car wash applied one. Not really into detailing cars, but I just bought a small electric pressure washer from HF. Right now, I am not driving my car much. But just being parked on my driveway, my magnetic gray PRIME has hue of golden yellow from tree pollen. I usually just let the rain shower wash my cars naturally, but I am going to test the new pressure washer this weekend. Maybe, just maybe, I will pick up a bottle of liquid spray wax. I just googled the subject, and my head is spinning from vast numbers and arrays of auto detailing products on the market.

I wonder which one is the best quick application (spray and done) wax? For me, quick and easy is the key.

 

I wash my Prime every few days (touchless monthly passes) during non-covid-19 days (shared with another car), to combat the salts during winter.

Then I use these twice a year the following:
1) https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sonax-fallout-cleaner-500-ml-0390505p.html#srp
2) https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/meguiars-ultimate-fast-finish-sealant-241-g-0396158p.html#srp

 

Detailing can be a fun, relaxing and rewarding hobby or task.
Here's my two cent comment.
1) Some say to wax at the season changes...4 times a year. One trick is to wax twice as with the first application you may have missed some areas, the second waxing usually covers everything. Some say wait 24 hours before the second application, but IMO that is debatable so you can do it all at one time.
2) Clay first is great prep....noting there are different grits of clay. New car, I'd use the finest clay.
3) Sensors I have never found an issue with wax over the sensors, yet when the wax dries getting the white residue out of the sensors can be time consuming, so tape over them first to prevent this.
4) Paste Wax, Meguires # 26 (I believe that's the number) Hi Tech Yellow Wax is a great was and available at WalMart etc.
5) Window cleaners, GM makes an aerosol spray that is fantastic (about $6) yet Windex may work fine, noting to protect your dash board from overspray.
6) Tips for inside. Open all the doors and hatch and use a leaf blower to remove dust. Again Meguires makes specific products for each type of interior material. If you have the Synthetic leather, I do not use leather products on these and use Meguares interior detail spray (can't recall the number)
7) Out of order comment, wash the car first with a wax removing soap before claying. Some say Dawn dishwashing soap will do this. You can also research what is termed the two bucket method with a grit guard and use a new wash mitt (or very well cleaned and maintained used one). Plus use one mitt for the paint and another for the wheels and another for the wheel fender liners.
8) Once fully paste waxed, IMO you can wash and then use a spray wax until the next seasons waxing.
9) Di-Electric grease or Gummi Fledge (spelling) are a great product for the weather stripe care.
In closing, there are many forums on detailing and many different manufacture's of products. I like being able to buy product at the store down the street. Many say Adam's brand, even Griots Garage brand products are great if buying over the internet. Then there is also debates about ceramic coatings, yet like you comment, I like to paste wax.
10) Lastly, use quality foam wax applicators and microfiber towels for buffing/ drying for all applications.
11) And if really insane, don't forget your car's undercarriage LOL.
Again can be a fun hobby.
So have great fun.

 

I use 476S. One of the most durable out there and fairly easy to remove. 845 is also great but a little more difficult to remove. I also use Wolfgang Fuzion ($200/can list but you can get it on sale).

Have you tried a high quality spray wax in between applications of Collinite? If you do it frequently after hand-washing it is very easy and can be done as part of your drying routine.

Clay makes a huge difference as you mention but many people don't feel it is necessary. It is a bit of a hassle but it really helps on paint and on glass.

 

All good comments, however #7 I really feel is unnecessary, but this is just my humble opinion. Stripping your paint before clay is not really necessary and using dishwashing soap is really harsh. If you really want to strip the easiest way is IPA (isopropyl alcohol) but a good wash is all that is needed. For clay you can use a good pH-neutral wash soap if you don't want to invest in a purpose-made clay lubricant.

 

Any of the ones I mentioned (Optimum Car Wax, McKee's 37 Fastwax, Griots Garage) are easy on, easy off and all can be done in full sun if you don't have shade available. Shade is best but not required with these. Minimal buffing is required. Look up all of these on YouTube for more information than you would ever need. LOL.

 

Also... resist the temptation to use dish washing soap, as they are formulated to remove grease and wax, the same wax you may have painstakingly rubbed on to protect your car. "Car Wash" soaps are available that have surfactants that help lift and remove crud while leaving the wax intact.

 

Thanks. I will check what is available on local store shelves. Planning to open box and try my new power washer tomorrow or sunday. Don't want to wait for the delivery next week. Unless it is cloudy, it will be under the sun. In our climate, washing cars on the driveway can be accomplished only 6 month of year from mid May to mid Nov. During other half, it's too cold or water hose is simply frozen shut. Of course that is the time I need to wash cars the most. The road salt makes my dark gray car into white.

 

I have seen Griots Garage at some retailers and auto parts stores. Check the "where to buy" link at the bottom Car Care Products, Detailing Supplies, Auto Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789 and be sure to search YouTube for whatever wax you choose.

As a last resort you can try one of the Meguiars spray waxes that are available everywhere. They are competent but in my experience don't have as much durability.

 

That's my go-to, before touch-up painting.

 

Thanks again. Just ordered Griot's Garage Best of Show Spray Wax (22 oz.) online at Advance Auto to be picked up later today at a local store. Just wondering what is the difference between this spray wax and Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax Spray Sealant which was also in stock and available for pick-up today?
Which is easier to use and what the benefit of ceramic wax? Needless to say, I know nothing about auto detailing and have no idea what the pros and cons of all the different types of waxes available. This was my very first ever purchase of car wax in my life.