Comprehensive Beach and Coastal Aftercare Guide

Never wash a vehicle that is hot to the touch. In Australian summer, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C. Move the vehicle to a shaded area or use a 3x3m gazebo. If the panels are hot, the water and chemicals will evaporate instantly, leaving behind concentrated salt deposits and 'water spots' (calcium carbonate deposits) that are harder to remove than the original salt.

Pop the bonnet and check for salt spray or sand ingress. Use compressed air or a soft brush to remove loose sand from the airbox intake and battery terminals. If the engine is warm, allow it to cool for at least 45 minutes before introducing any water to avoid thermal shock to the engine block or exhaust manifold.

Prepare your salt neutraliser and snow foam. For heavy beach use, a 1:500 ratio of salt neutraliser is standard for the underbody. Mix your snow foam at the manufacturer's recommended ratio (usually 100ml soap to 900ml water). Ensure you are using 'soft' water if possible, as hard water reduces the efficacy of the surfactants.

Apply a liberal coating of APC or dedicated wheel cleaner to the tyres and inner wheel arches. These areas collect the highest concentration of salt-laden mud. Let it dwell for 3-5 minutes, but do not allow it to dry. This softens the 'caked' sand before the high-pressure rinse.

Using an underbody wand, flush the entire chassis from front to back. Pay specific attention to 'trap' points: inside the chassis rails (use the holes provided by the manufacturer), on top of the fuel tank, inside the bumper bars, and around the spare tyre carrier. Continue flushing until the runoff water is clear of sand and brown tint.

Switch your pressure washer to the salt neutraliser injector. Coat the entire undercarriage and the exterior paintwork. The neutraliser works by breaking the ionic bond between the salt and the vehicle. Allow it to dwell for 5-10 minutes. This is a chemical process, not a mechanical one; patience here is vital for success.

Rinse the exterior of the vehicle starting from the roof, working your way down. This removes the neutralised salt and loose grit. Keep the nozzle at least 30cm away from the paint. Focus on window seals and door handles where salt crystals love to hide.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam to the entire vehicle. The foam's job is to encapsulate remaining sand particles and lift them away from the surface. In 35°C+ heat, you may need to work in sections to prevent the foam from drying. Let it dwell for 5 minutes.

Rinse the snow foam off thoroughly. By this stage, 95% of the abrasive sand should be gone. This is critical before you touch the paint with a wash mitt to prevent 'swirl marks' which are highly visible under the harsh Australian sun.

Using a high-quality microfibre mitt, wash the car section by section. Dip the mitt in the soapy water, wash a panel, then rinse the mitt in the 'rinse' bucket (with grit guard) before taking more soap. This ensures any remaining sand is trapped in the rinse bucket and not rubbed back into the paint.

Open all doors, the boot, and the bonnet. Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe away salt spray that has bypassed the outer seals. Salt left here will eventually cause the rubber seals to perish and the metal sills to rust from the inside out.

If the paint feels 'gritty' after washing, use a clay mitt with plenty of soapy water as lubricant. This removes embedded salt and mineral deposits. This is especially important for vehicles kept near the coast where 'salt air' is constant.

Using a low-pressure mist, rinse the engine bay. Avoid direct spray on the alternator, fuse box, or air intake. Wipe down plastic covers with an APC and apply a water-based dressing to protect hoses from heat-induced cracking.

Dry the vehicle immediately using a large twist-loop microfibre towel. Use a leaf blower or compressed air to blow water out of mirrors, badges, and lug nuts. This prevents 'weeping' which leaves unsightly salt streaks later.

Apply a high-quality sealant or ceramic spray. In Australia, look for products with 'UV Inhibitors'. Apply to one panel at a time, buffing off immediately. This provides a sacrificial layer that the sun will attack instead of your clear-coat.

Clean glass with an ammonia-free cleaner. Apply a trim restorer to black plastics. Coastal salt often 'whitens' plastic trim; a dedicated restorer will nourish the plastic and prevent it from becoming brittle in the heat.