What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, we've all done it, spent the day at Fraser or Robe and then felt too buggered to wash the car properly. I once left a Hilux unwashed for a week after a beach trip and the surface rust on the chassis was already starting to bite. This checklist is for the blokes and ladies who want to keep their rigs for more than two years without the floorboards falling out. This is my personal routine for getting every grain of sand and salt out of those annoying nooks and crannies.
The Gear You'll Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Pre-Start Checklist
What You'll Need
The Clean-Up Process
The Dry Vacuum
Before any water touches the car, vac the interior. If sand gets wet in your carpet, it's never coming out. Use a stiff brush to loosen the grains.
Underbody Flood
Get the hose and just flood the chassis rails. I usually spend 10 minutes just letting water run through the holes in the frame until it runs clear.
Salt Neutraliser Application
Spray your salt-dissolving wash everywhere under the car and in the wheel arches. Let it dwell for 5-10 minutes (don't let it dry) to break the salt bond.
The High-Pressure Blast
Work from the top down. Blast the wheel arches, behind the mudflaps, and inside the bumpers. Sand hides in the lips of the guards, so get right in there.
Engine Bay Dusting
Use a damp cloth or very light mist to clean the engine bay. Avoid direct high pressure on electrical bits. Red dust and salt here will corrode connectors fast.
Contact Wash
Now do a normal two-bucket wash. Sand is abrasive, so use heaps of soapy suds to lubricate the paint while you're wiping to avoid those nasty swirl marks.
Door Jams and Seals
Open every door. Use a wet microfibre to wipe the seals. I've found that sand in the seals acts like sandpaper and eats your paint over time.
Final Inspection Checklist
What You'll Need
Watch Out
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