Comprehensive Summer Weekly Maintenance Routine (Jan 2026)

Before applying any water or chemicals, check the temperature of the panels. If the bonnet is too hot to touch, the vehicle must be moved to a shaded area or left to cool for at least 45 minutes. Applying cold water to a 60°C+ panel can cause thermal shock to glass and cause chemicals to flash-dry, leading to permanent staining.

Ensure your wash area has adequate drainage. In many Australian councils, washing on the lawn is preferred to prevent nutrient-rich soaps entering the stormwater system. Ensure your hoses are unkinked and your pressure washer is connected to a stable 240V power source away from water spray.

Mix your snow foam and car shampoo according to the manufacturer's Summer ratios. For high-heat days, increase the water-to-product ratio slightly (e.g., 1:9 for snow foam) to prevent the mixture from becoming too 'sticky' and drying prematurely on the paintwork.

Remove all rubbish and floor mats. Inspect for signs of red dust ingress around door seals. If dust is present inside the sills, it indicates the seals may need a silicone-based protectant application later in the process.

Always start with the wheels. They are the dirtiest part and require the strongest chemicals. Apply an alkaline wheel cleaner to dry wheels. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes (do not let it dry). Use a barrel brush for the inner rim and a soft brush for the face. Rinse thoroughly, ensuring all brake dust is flushed from the calipers.

Before applying soap, use a pressure washer to rinse the car from the top down. This removes the bulk of loose red dust and coastal salt. Pay particular attention to wheel arches, door sills, and window seals where salt and dust accumulate. This 'pre-rinse' significantly reduces the risk of swirl marks during the contact wash.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam to the entire vehicle. Starting from the bottom and working up ensures the thickest foam dwells on the dirtiest areas for longer. In a 30°C+ Australian morning, let it dwell for no more than 4-5 minutes. The foam encapsulates fine dust particles and lifts them away from the surface.

While the foam is dwelling, use a small, soft detailing brush to agitate areas where dust hides: around emblems, fuel filler caps, window trim, and plastic grilles. This prevents the 'grey' buildup common on older Australian vehicles. Rinse the entire car thoroughly once completed.

Inspect the front bumper and windscreen for baked-on insects or bat droppings. Spray a citrus-based remover directly onto the affected spots. Let it dwell for 60 seconds, then gently wipe with a dedicated microfibre. Never scrub these spots, as the chitin in insect shells is hard enough to scratch clear coat.

Fill one bucket with soapy water and one with clean rinse water. Dip your mitt in the soap, wash a single panel (starting from the roof), then rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket to release trapped grit. This 'Contact Wash' should be done with almost zero pressure; let the mitt glide over the lubricated surface.

Perform a final rinse using a 'sheeting' technique (removing the nozzle and letting a gentle stream of water flow over the panels). This encourages the water to sheet off, leaving less behind to dry. If you have a hard water supply (common in parts of SA and WA), consider an inline water softener to prevent water spotting.

Using a large twisted-loop microfibre towel, pat-dry the vehicle. Avoid dragging the towel excessively. In the Australian heat, work quickly to prevent water spots from forming. Use a cordless leaf blower or compressed air to blow water out of mirrors, door handles, and light housings to prevent 'run-down' streaks.

Clean the exterior glass using a dedicated automotive glass cleaner and a low-pile microfibre. For summer, ensure you clean the wipers as well; salt and heat cause the rubber to perish. Wipe the blades with a damp cloth until no black residue remains.

Apply a Si2-based spray sealant or ceramic detailer. Spray 2-3 mists per panel and buff immediately with a clean, dry microfibre. This adds a sacrificial layer of UV protection and restores the 'slickness' of the paint, making the next week's wash much easier as dust will struggle to bond.

Apply a water-based tyre dressing with UV inhibitors. Avoid solvent-based 'slingy' dressings which can brown the rubber over time in high heat. Apply a thin, even coat to the sidewalls. If the plastic trim looks faded from the sun, apply a trim restorer to prevent it from turning grey and brittle.