Comprehensive Summer Weekly Maintenance Routine

Never wash a vehicle when the panels are hot to the touch. In the Australian summer, this means working before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. If you must work during the day, use a 3x3m marquee. Check panel temperature with the back of your hand; if it's too hot to hold your hand there for 5 seconds, the chemicals will flash-dry and cause chemical staining.

Prepare your snow foam lance with a 1:9 ratio (100ml product to 900ml water). For the wash buckets, use 50ml of car shampoo per 10L of water. Using the correct ratios ensures enough lubrication to float red dust particles away from the paint surface without stripping existing waxes or sealants.

Inspect wheel arches for heavy mud or salt crusting. Use a torch to check the back of the spokes and brake calipers. If you have been driving on the beach or in the outback, these areas will require the most intensive pre-rinsing to prevent cross-contamination during the paint wash phase.

Remove floor mats and shake them out away from the vehicle. Use a soft brush to agitate dust in the air vents and dash crevices. In Australia, red dust often penetrates door seals; identify these areas now so you can target them with the vacuum and damp microfibers later.

Start from the bottom. Use your pressure washer to flush the chassis rails, wheel arches, and suspension components. This is critical for coastal drivers to remove salt and for 4x4 owners to dislodge red dust. Spend at least 2 minutes per arch ensuring the water runs clear. This prevents abrasive particles from blowing back onto the paint during the wash.

Apply your dedicated wheel cleaner to dry wheels. In a 35°C+ climate, applying to a wet wheel dilutes the product too much. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes, but do not let it dry. Agitate with a soft brush to break down brake dust and road film, then rinse thoroughly. Work one wheel at a time to prevent product drying.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam to the entire vehicle, starting from the bottom and working up. The foam encapsulates loose grit and dust. Let it dwell for 4-5 minutes. In high heat, you may need to lightly mist the foam with water to keep it 'wet.' This step is vital for preventing 'love marks' (swirls) during the contact wash.

Rinse the snow foam off, starting from the top. Focus on window seals, door handles, and badges where red dust hides. Use a 40-degree nozzle tip held 30cm away from the surface. Ensure all 'suds' are gone before moving to the contact wash.

Use the two-bucket method: one with soapy water, one with clean rinse water. Dip your wash mitt in the soap, wash a panel using straight-line motions (never circular), then rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket to drop the grit. Start at the roof and work down. The bottom 20cm of the car should be done last as it holds the most contaminants.

Inspect for bird droppings or bat guano. If the wash didn't remove them, do not scrub. Apply a dedicated bug and tar remover or a wet paper towel soaked in warm soapy water. Let it sit for 2 minutes to soften the uric acid before gently wiping. This prevents the 'etched' rings common on Australian vehicles.

Run your hand (inside a plastic sandwich bag) over the paint. If it feels like sandpaper, bonded contaminants remain. Use a clay mitt with plenty of soapy water as lubricant to gently glide over the surface. This is usually only needed once a month, but weekly checks are necessary if driving in industrial or outback areas.

Perform a final rinse. Then, remove the nozzle from your hose and let a steady stream of water 'flood' the panels. This 'sheeting' technique uses surface tension to pull 80% of the water off the car, significantly reducing the amount of physical touching required during drying.

Use a large, clean 1200gsm microfiber towel. Drape it over the flat surfaces and pull it towards you. Do not rub. For vertical surfaces, pat dry. Use a cordless blower or compressed air to blow water out of wing mirrors, fuel caps, and light clusters to prevent 'weeping' streaks later.

Apply an Si02 ceramic detailer. Spray 2-3 mists per panel and buff immediately with a fresh microfiber. This adds a sacrificial layer of UV protection and creates a hydrophobic surface that makes next week's wash easier. This is your primary defense against the Australian sun.

Wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel, and door cards with a damp microfiber to remove dust. Apply a UV-inhibitor protectant to all vinyl and plastic surfaces. This prevents the plasticizers from evaporating in the heat, which causes dash cracking and a 'foggy' film on the inside of the windscreen.

Clean windows with an alcohol-based glass cleaner and a waffle-weave towel. Work in the shade. Clean the interior glass to remove the 'outgassing' film caused by summer heat. Ensure no streaks remain, as these cause dangerous glare during the low-angle morning and evening sun.