Wash My New Prius Myself Or Go To A Car Wash?!

I use the Mr. Clean thing, too, I'm happy w/ the results. Seems fine, I'll pay someone to wax/seal my car I suppose a couple times a year, but I'm not going to obsess about it.

 

BTW, there are links in the first post of the first sticky in the Care and Maintenance Forum, "Detailing Your Vehicle." They may take a while to load.

 

I'm a Zaino man and am still happily stunned everytime I "Zaino" my Prius. Check out Zaino Store and see for yourself. Several other members here will attest to its quality.

I posted pictures of my Zaino'd Barcelona Baby on here somewhere.

 

I use a power washer every few weeks at home. It does a great job. First I clean off the dirt, then apply the special auto soap, then I use a soft lambswool mitt to wash the car, then blast it gently with the power washer. Then use a synthetic chamois. Works great.

 

Re: Two Bucket Method??

That is it in a nutshell.

... Brad

 

That's not true for rinseless washes, which don't require initial wetting, or rinsing. I washed our Camry today with Optimum No-Rinse and only used two gallons of water total.

 

I highly recommend the use of a good car wash shampoo when washing your car. A good shampoo will help float off the dirt and encapsulate it so it doesn't scratch your paint. Driftwood Pearl (I have this color) is really good at hiding scratches, so perhaps that is why you've been able to get away with just using water.

If you do a final rinse w/o a nozzle to sheet the water off, you'd never need to wring out your drying towel. My "Guzzler" waffle weave microfiber drying towel is barely damp after drying my Prius.

 

I park mine on the front lawn, yes the grass! The joys of having a house from the 1950's no rules! I use a simple microfiber sponge water and some soap....I am looking into detailers because my doggy does ride with me sometimes so might do the detail thing once and a while.....

 

I agree that rinseless washes usually use 5 gallons or so of water only, but that is not what most people are talking about here. They are using hoses, power washers, etc. Using a car wash uses a lot less water than these more traditional methods.

 

Another option in which I have used with excellent results is Protect All Quick & Easy Wash. 1 Gallon H2O. Car is done.......

 

If you have access to a garden hose Mr. Clean Autodry works great. It allows time for a minute inspection of the surface to remove bug spots with a thumbnail and the like. If you're careful it uses relatively little water, but I'd have to agree that a do-it-yourself commercial carwash probably uses even less.

 

I would like to see an analysis of "filtered" commercial car wash water. With all of the oil, chemicals and what not being washed off of the previously washed cars, I suspect that "filtered" water is not anything I would want to have come in contact with my vehicle.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on "Griot's Garage" products? I've used them on my 69 Nova before and I thought they worked OK. I've been thinking of switching to Maquires or something else though.

 

Please don't tell me you're scraping bugs off your car's finish with your fingernail. Is that what you mean?

... Brad

 

.
I wash mine myself, for the fun and attention to detail. My regimen is:


* Mr clean car wash
(Wet the car with full water spray then dial it over to the soap spray [any car soap works])



* Scrub with a soapy sheep's wool mit
(careful to keep the mit clean so as not to swirl dirt back on the paint job)



* Use a long handle brush and scrub the tires


* Rinse with full water spray then dial over to the 'Auto Dry' setting and rinse again


* Dry remaining water drops with a microfiber towel


* Apply Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant



* Apply P21S Concours Carnauba Car Wax



* Apply some type of wet black to the tires



Stand back and enjoy!!!
.

 

MMMBWWAAHAHA!! Ahem. I mean, Yes. It's the perfect tool for the job, once the bug has been softened up by the soap. The clearcoat is harder than my nail.

 

+1 Been going there for years...

 

I read that someone mentioned Ultima Paint Guard. Its pretty pricey and I was wondering if anyone else would recommend it?

 

I'm considering a paint sealant + touchless automated carwash. Any suggestions or comments?

 

You mean a touchless car was and THEN the paint sealer? Other way around you may end up with water spots (just a guess, I don't use touchless).

Anywho. Here's a VERY good deep gloss paint sealer (imo)
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant