Keeping the Rig Mint: My Go-To Weekly Maintenance Routine

Never wash a car in direct sunlight if you can help it. The water and soap will dry too fast and leave nasty spots. If you've just come off the highway, let the wheels and brakes cool down first.

Fill one bucket with clean water and the other with your soapy mix. If you've got grit guards, chuck 'em in. They're cheap insurance against swirl marks.

Walk around the car. Check for any fresh bird droppings or tree sap. If you find any, hit them with a bit of bug remover early so they can soften up while you do the wheels.

I always start with the wheels. Why? Because they're the filthiest part. If you do them last, you'll just splash brake dust and grime onto your clean paint. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner and a soft brush to get into the barrels.

Give the whole car a good hose down. You want to knock off as much loose grit, dust, and salt as possible before you actually touch the paint. Don't forget the wheel arches, that's where the mud and salt hide.

If you've got a pressure washer, hit it with some snow foam. Let it dwell for 5 minutes (don't let it dry!) to lift the dirt. It's satisfying as hell and makes the wash safer.

Start from the roof and work your way down. Use light pressure, you're not scrubbing a burnt pot. Dunk your mitt in the soapy bucket, wipe a panel, then rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket before going back for more soap.

The front bumper and side mirrors are usually caked in bugs. Use your wash mitt gently here. If they don't budge, don't use your fingernails! Use a proper bug sponge or just more soap and patience.

Rinse the soap off thoroughly. Start from the top and move down. Make sure you get it out of the window seals and door handles where it likes to hide.

Don't ever let the car air dry in the Aussie sun, you'll get water spots that are a nightmare to remove. Lay your big drying towel flat across the bonnet and just pull it towards you. Let the towel do the work.

Open the doors and wipe the sills. A customer once brought in a car that looked great outside but the door jams were full of red dust and grease. It ruins the whole look. Give 'em a quick wipe with a damp cloth.

While the car is clean and dry, I like to apply a quick spray sealant or topper. It takes 5 minutes and adds another layer of UV protection. Just spray on a microfiber and wipe over the panels.

Use a proper glass cleaner (avoid ammonia if you have tint!) and a waffle-weave towel. Clean glass is the difference between a 'washed car' and a 'detailed car'.

Since it's a weekly thing, just a quick vacuum and a wipe of the dash with an interior detailer is plenty. It stops the dust from building up in the vents.

Chuck some tyre dressing on. I prefer a water-based one so it doesn't sling black gunk all down the side of the car when you drive off. It's the finishing touch.