Comprehensive Beach and Coastal Aftercare Protocol

Ensure the vehicle has cooled for at least 60 minutes. Spraying cold water on a hot brake rotor or engine block in 40°C heat can cause thermal shock, leading to warped discs or cracked manifolds. Park the vehicle in a shaded area with a concrete or paved surface to avoid creating a mud bath.

Before wetting the car, use a soft brush or compressed air to blow out loose sand from window seals, door jambs, and the base of the windscreen (cowl). Wetting sand immediately turns it into a grit paste that can scratch surfaces if moved with a wash mitt later.

Prepare your salt neutraliser in a 1:10 ratio for heavy deposits or follow the manufacturer's instruction for foam cannon use. Mix your high-alkaline snow foam. Having these ready prevents the 'wash-dry-wash' cycle that occurs when chemicals dry on the paint in Australian heat.

If possible, safely jack up the vehicle and place it on stands, or drive the front wheels onto ramps. This provides the necessary clearance to effectively reach the 'salt traps'—the areas above the spare tyre, inside the chassis rails, and around the transmission crossmember.

Start from the bottom up. Use a high-volume hose or underbody broom to flush the entire undercarriage for at least 15 minutes. Focus on the 'V' sections of the chassis and the top of the fuel tank. Continue until the water running off the vehicle is crystal clear and free of sand particles.

Insert a hose or specialized chassis flushing nozzle into the drainage holes of the chassis rails. Run the water until it flows freely from the rear of the rail. Sand often settles inside these rails, holding moisture and salt against the untreated internal steel, causing 'inside-out' rusting.

Apply the salt neutralising solution to the entire undercarriage, suspension, and wheel arches using a pump sprayer or foam cannon. Let it dwell for 5-10 minutes (do not let it dry). This chemical stage is critical as water alone cannot always break the ionic bond of salt to metal.

Remove wheels if possible, or use a barrel brush to clean deep inside the rims. Salt accumulates heavily on brake calipers and backing plates. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner and follow with a salt neutraliser rinse to prevent corrosion of the brake lines and ABS sensors.

Cover sensitive electronics (alternator, air intake) with plastic. Use a low-pressure mist to rinse salt spray from the engine bay. Apply a diluted degreaser, agitate with a soft brush, and rinse. Salt spray often enters through the grille and settles on the radiator fins and electrical connectors.

Apply a thick layer of high-alkaline snow foam to the exterior. This encapsulates remaining sand and lifts salt from the paint surface. In 30°C+ weather, work in sections or keep the surface damp to prevent the foam from drying and leaving streaks.

Use two buckets (one with soapy water, one with clean rinse water) and a high-quality microfibre mitt. Wash from the roof down. Rinse the mitt after every panel to ensure no sand grains are trapped in the fibres, which would cause swirl marks in the clear coat.

Pay special attention to the window seals. Lower the windows and clean the felt/rubber tracks where sand grit hides. If left, this sand will scratch the glass every time the window is operated. Use a dedicated glass cleaner to remove the 'salt film' that often remains after a standard wash.

Open all doors, the bonnet, and the boot. Salt spray and fine dust settle in these shut-lines. Use a low-pressure spray to clean these areas, ensuring you don't flood the interior. Wipe dry immediately to prevent water spots.

Perform a final rinse of the entire vehicle. If you have access to a deionised water filter, use it here. This removes minerals from the water, which is vital in Australia's hard-water areas, preventing 'etching' as the water evaporates in the heat.

Dry the vehicle using a high-powered leaf blower or dedicated car dryer to push water out of crevices, light housings, and emblems. Follow up with a plush microfibre towel. Moisture trapped in these areas, combined with residual salt, is where corrosion typically starts.

Vacuum all carpets and seats thoroughly. If passengers were in wet swimwear, use a fabric extractor or a damp microfibre with a mild cleaner to pull salt out of the upholstery. Salt in fabrics will attract moisture on humid days, leading to a 'musty' smell and mould growth.