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Cleaning the spoiler and solar roof/panel

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PriusRos, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    After washing, what are the best products to use on the black plastic spoiler? Currently I am using Zaino All-In-One (AIO) on the painted surface. Is this suitable for the spoiler?

    What are the best products to use for the moon roof and solar panels?
     
    #1 PriusRos, Sep 6, 2009
  2. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    I just went over my car yesterday with a good wax job (not Zaino...).

    I use a microfibre to apply the wax, then a good orbital with very soft terry to take off, followed by a microfibre. I first did the spoiler, since it's black of course, as a test. It turned out perfectly - like glass.

    So, from one guy, a typical wax serves the purpose just fine.

    Oh Oh - just thought "Oh boy, am I going to catch hell for admitting I used an orbital polisher"???
     
    #2 DeanFL, Sep 6, 2009
  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I have been using 303 Aerospace Protectant on all the plastic stuff inside and outside, including the spoiler and the black plastic around the windows. Works great and offers UV protection. But if wax does a good job I think that would be OK too.
     
    #3 tumbleweed, Sep 7, 2009
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  4. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    I ended up using Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish on the spoiler and on the headlight/taillight covers. It is easy on and off and works very well.
     
    #4 PriusRos, Sep 27, 2009
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I Zaino right over the spoiler and it does the job...
     
    #5 Paradox, Sep 27, 2009
  6. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Thanks. So far, nobody's given you hell for the orbital polisher :D.
     
    #6 PriusRos, Sep 27, 2009
  7. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    By the way, I never did get any recommendations for the solar roof and panel. I'm looking for more than just an auto glass cleaner -- my problem is that I'm parked under a tree, which drops a lot of crap on it all the time. So I'm looking for something that would give it a slicker finish to help repel some of this crud and make it easier to clean. Would RainX help or Griot's glass polish help? I'd prefer something I can get from an auto supplies or department store rather than online.
     
    #7 PriusRos, Sep 27, 2009
  8. royzaboy

    royzaboy Junior Member

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    I, too, park under a sappy tree. I treated the solar roof and all other glass with Rain-X and it just washes clean, with little to no scrubbing. It also keeps bugs from sticking to the windshield. Long time user of Rain-X.
     
    #8 royzaboy, Sep 27, 2009
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  9. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I've got the ATP so no solar roof for me but I don't see a problem with Rain-X'ing the solar roof... If I had one I'd have done it to be honest.

    And if I had tree sap and stuff on it that wouldn't come off with just glass cleaner, maybe twice a year I'd use this on it:

    Glass Cleaning Clay, 3.5 Ounces - Whats New - Griot's Garage

    As long as it is properly used with speedshine to keep the surface slippery, it's just like claying the paint.
     
    #9 Paradox, Sep 27, 2009
  10. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Great, thanks. I actually bought some RainX foam glass cleaner in a spray can, which is supposed to both clean as well as treat the glass. I cleaned the windows and windshield but haven't done the solar roof yet. Seems pretty easy to work with (easier than regular RainX) but I have to take care to keep the foam from spraying on the paintwork.

    I hope using RainX on the water-repellant front side windows won't cause any problems...? BTW, I don't see any difference in the front and rear windows after they've been rained on. I think both seem to repel water fairly well, but they both feel equally dirty/sticky after being out in the weather for a while.
     
    #10 PriusRos, Sep 27, 2009
  11. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I have been using the Rain-X Window Cleaner for about a year and have been happy with it as well. I just saw the aerosol can version today and am sure it works just as well. It has been a practice of mine to always rain-x all the windows on my new car the day I bring it home. I did just that this time as well and after doing it forgot that this one had the water repellent front windows. No ill effect has been noticed making the mistake so while not necessary, it will not hurt anything.
     
    #11 Paradox, Sep 27, 2009
  12. pri-serious

    pri-serious New Member

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    Does it work better than just using clay bar?
     
    #12 pri-serious, Oct 1, 2009
  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Good question, I honestly do not know since I have not purchased it yet. It may be finer than regular car clay, not sure... As long as the surface is lubed properly I don't think it should harm it...
     
    #13 Paradox, Oct 1, 2009
  14. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    The glass can be waxed or sealed too just like the paint, thats what I would do to the solar roof in your situation.

    And whats wrong with an orbital polisher? Orbital polishers are great, very safe to use. I wouldn't use one with a terry bonnet to remove wax, I'd use a microfiber bonnet...but nothing wrong with an orbital polisher. Nothing wrong with a rotary polisher either provided you know how to use it.
     
    #14 SW03ES, Oct 1, 2009
  15. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    What's the difference between an orbital and a rotary polisher?
    (BTW, Steve, I had PM'd you)
     
    #15 PriusRos, Oct 1, 2009
  16. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    An orbital doesn't just spin in a circle which generates heat and can damage the paint. It spins in a circle which also spins in a circle.

    A rotary polisher spins in just a circle, which causes heat and can damage the paint if used incorrectly...

    And for orbital polishers there are standard and random orbital polishers...

    Here's a page with some basic info: http://truthindetailing.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=1444
     
    #16 Paradox, Oct 1, 2009
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  17. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Not much I can add to that...

    I got your PM Ros and responded...
     
    #17 SW03ES, Oct 1, 2009
  18. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Hmm..never got it.
     
    #18 PriusRos, Oct 1, 2009
  19. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Thats weird...lemme see if it actually sent...
     
    #19 SW03ES, Oct 1, 2009
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