Keeping Your Paint Prime: Exterior Care Essentials for the Aussie Climate

Never, and I mean never, wash your car in direct Aussie sunlight. The water and soap will dry before you can even move your arm, leaving nasty water spots. Wait for the arvo or pull under a carport.

I always do the wheels before I touch the paint. Why? Because you'll be spraying grime and brake dust everywhere. If the paint is already clean, you'll just have to do it again. (The missus thinks I'm OCD, but it works).

Blast off the loose stuff first. If you've just come back from a dusty run, focus on the wheel arches and underbody. You want as little grit on the paint as possible before you touch it.

Fill one bucket with water and your soap, and the other with just plain water. Every time you wipe a panel, rinse the mitt in the plain water first to drop the dirt, then dunk it in the soapy stuff. It keeps your wash water clean.

Always start with the roof and work your way down. The bottom of the car is the filthiest part. If you start there, you're just dragging mud up to where your eyes see it most.

If you find a dried-on bird dropping or bat mess, don't scrub it. Lay a wet, soapy microfibre over it for a minute to soften it up. I've seen people gouge their paint trying to scratch these off with a fingernail. Don't be that bloke.

Don't let the soap dry on the car. Rinse each panel as you finish it, especially if there's a bit of a breeze blowing.

Run your hand over the clean paint. If it feels like sandpaper, you need to clay it. Use plenty of soapy water as lube and gently glide the clay over the surface. It pulls out the embedded iron and salt.

Ditch the old school chamois. Use a large, plush microfibre towel. I usually just 'drape' it over the panel and pat it. It sucks up the water without needing to rub the paint.

This is the most important part for our climate. Use a synthetic sealant or a ceramic spray. Following the bottle's instructions, wipe it on and buff it off. This creates a barrier against UV and makes the next wash easier.

Clean the windows with a dedicated glass cleaner. For the black plastic trims, use a UV protectant. If you leave them bare, they'll turn grey and chalky within a couple of summers.

Apply your tyre shine. A customer once told me 'A car without tyre shine is like a suit with dirty shoes.' I reckon he's spot on.

Open the doors and wipe the sills. Water loves to hide there and cause rust or just leave ugly drips down your clean doors later.