What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, we all love bolting gear to our rigs, but most blokes forget that snorkels and roof racks are absolute magnets for the worst Australia has to throw at us. Whether it's red dust from a Kimberley trip or salt spray from a weekend at Fraser, this gear needs more than a quick splash at the servo. I'm going to show you how to deep clean these bits properly so they don't fade into a nasty grey mess by next season.
Real Talk About Off-Road Gear
The Gear You'll Actually Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Preparation
Cool it down
Never wash your gear when it's been sitting in the 40-degree sun. The chemicals will flash dry and leave spots. Move it into the shade or wait for the arvo.
Check your seals
Make sure your snorkel head is tight and the airbox drain plug is clear. You don't want to accidentally flood your intake while you're getting enthusiastic with the hose.
Dry brush first
If you've got thick red dust, use a vacuum or a dry brush to get the loose stuff off before adding water. Adding water to red dust just makes mud that hides in every crevice.
The Deep Clean Process
Rinse the heavy grit
Give the rack and snorkel a thorough rinse. Focus on the underside of the rack and the mounting brackets where salt and mud love to hide.
Snorkel head removal
Loosen the worm drive clamp and pop the snorkel head off. Trust me, it's the only way to clean the mesh properly. A customer once brought in a Ranger that had a literal bird's nest starting in there.
Degrease the rack
Spray your APC onto the roof rack. Work in sections. Use your long-handle brush to agitate the powder-coated surface. If you've got T-slots, run the brush right through them to clear out spiders and dirt.
The 'Red Dust' trick
If the rack still looks orange after a wash, spray some non-acidic wheel cleaner on a small patch. The iron-out properties often help lift that stubborn outback staining. Rinse quickly!
Cleaning the snorkel body
Use a wash mitt and a good car soap (like Bowden's Nanolicious). Don't use a scrubbing brush on the snorkel body or you'll scratch the plastic and make it look dull.
Detailing the mesh
Take that snorkel head you removed and use a soft brush with soapy water to clean every single hole in the grate. This is where the bugs live.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse everything until the water runs clear. Pay attention to the roof channels under the rack mounts, that's where rust starts if salt gets trapped.
Dry it off
Use a dedicated drying towel or a leaf blower. Don't let it air dry in the sun or you'll get water spots on your nice black finish.
Inspect for damage
While it's clean, check your rack bolts. Off-roading rattles everything loose. Give 'em a quick nip with a spanner if they've backed off.
Watch Out
The Gum Tree Nightmare
Protection is Everything
Common Questions
Can I go through an automatic car wash with a roof rack?
How do I get the 'chalky' look off my old snorkel?
Should I wax my roof rack?
Is red dust permanent?
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