How to Get the Salt and Sand Out: Post-Beach Cleaning for Your 4WD

Don't wash your car on the grass if you can help it. The salt and sand you wash off will kill your lawn, and you don't want to be crawling around in the mud you've just created.

I learned this the hard way when I cracked a manifold on an old Patrol by spraying cold water on it while it was still piping hot from the highway. Give it 20 minutes.

Pop the bonnet, open all the doors, and clear out the rubbish. You need to see where the sand has 'migrated' to. Trust me, it gets everywhere.

Start with a plain water rinse of the whole car. Don't use the pressure washer too close yet; you don't want to blast sand into the paint. Just get the bulk of the crusty salt off.

Be careful here. Use low pressure to rinse the radiator and the corners of the engine bay. Salt spray sits on the aluminium components and causes that white powdery corrosion. (Your partner will thank you when the car actually starts next week).

This is where you spend 70% of your time. Use an underbody attachment or crawl under there. Flush out the chassis rails until the water runs crystal clear. If you think you're done, you're probably only halfway.

Mix up your salt-dissolving solution. I usually chuck it in a foam cannon or a pump sprayer. Coat the entire undercarriage, the suspension, and the lower panels. Let it dwell for 5-10 minutes (don't let it dry!).

Cover the whole car in a thick layer of snow foam. This helps lift the fine sand particles away from the paint so you don't scratch it when you start scrubbing. I reckon this is the only way to safely wash a car after the beach.

Old school but effective. One bucket with soapy water, one with clean rinse water. Wipe a panel, rinse the mitt, repeat. Start from the top and work down.

Sand loves to hide in the hinges and the rubber seals. Use a soft brush and some soapy water to get it all out. If you leave it, it'll grate away at your paint every time you close the door.

Take the time to clean the inside of the rims and around the brake calipers. Salt eats brake lines for breakfast. I've seen some shockers where the calipers have seized up after just one season of beach work.

Give everything one last thorough rinse with fresh water. Make sure there's no foam hiding in the wipers or the cowl under the windscreen.

Use a big microfibre drying towel. As you go, look for any spots you missed. If you feel a 'crunchy' sensation, there's still sand there.