Cleaning the bottom edge of hatch window

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by daisy555, May 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM.

  1. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    1,615
    678
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Has anyone figured out a way to clean out the bottom edge of the rear window along that very fragile rubber strip? Poorly executed design. Water collects there and now within two weeks of ownership it’s filled with pollen. We just had hours of heavy rain which only added to the problem. Soon it will be a sticky paste of pollen and water.

    One person suggested a power washer. The rubber strip along the edge is so fragile that I’m concerned it will tear plus I don’t have access to a power washer. A few people have already reported their rubber strip is torn. One torn by a dealership delivery prep tech and the other torn by brushing snow off the window. Fortunately it’s supposedly only $15 to replace the rubber strip. This might be the only way to really clean the area.
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    1,810
    1,203
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    Can of compressed air?
     
  3. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    1,615
    678
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I guess I can give it a try but it’s a pretty tight space. Here’s a photo including cobwebs. Opened the hatch and I guess I missed that the car came with two big scratches on the black plastic. The panel that some people have had to get replaced due to it cracking. Oh well. Maybe mine will crack before the warranty is up but I’m guessing they resolved the issue. Seems more solid than what others have reported on 2023 model. IMG_7149.jpeg
     
    #3 daisy555, May 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
    Last edited: May 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM