Keeping Your Paint Prime: Exterior Care for the Aussie Climate

Never, ever wash your car in direct sunlight. If the panels are hot to the touch, the water and soap will dry instantly, leaving spots that are a nightmare to get off. I learned this the hard way on a black SUV once, had to polish the whole thing again just to get the water marks out.

Make sure the wheels and brakes are cool. Spraying cold water on hot rotors can warp them, and wheel cleaner can stain hot rims.

Fill one bucket with clean water and the other with your car wash solution. If you've got grit guards, chuck 'em in the bottom of both.

Always start with the wheels. They're usually the filthiest part. If you do them last, you'll likely splash brake dust back onto your clean paint. Use a dedicated wheel brush to get into the barrels.

Blast the car down with water. Your goal is to get as much loose dust and grit off as possible before you actually touch the paint. If you've been off-roading or near the beach, spend extra time in the wheel arches to get the salt and mud out.

If you've got a foam cannon, give it a crack now. Let it dwell for 5 minutes but don't let it dry. This helps break down the road film and that sticky Aussie gum sap.

Dunk your mitt in the soapy bucket, then start at the roof and work your way down. Use very light pressure. After each panel, rinse the mitt in your 'rinse' bucket to drop the dirt, then reload with soap.

In Autumn, we get a lot of bugs on the front bar. Don't scrub them hard. If they're stuck, lay a wet, soapy towel over them for a minute to soften them up first. My missus hates it when I 'borrow' her kitchen sponges for this, don't do that, they'll ruin the paint.

Rinse from the top down. Make sure you get all the soap out of the window seals, door handles, and around the badges.

If the paint feels rough like sandpaper, run a clay mitt over it while the car is still wet and soapy. This pulls out the embedded iron and fallout. You'll be amazed at how much smoother it feels.

One last pass with the hose to clear away any debris loosened by the clay process.

Lay your large microfibre towel flat on the bonnet and pull it towards you. Don't 'rub' like you're drying yourself after a shower. Use a dedicated drying aid or quick detailer spray to add some lubrication and avoid swirls.

Apply your sealant or wax. In our heat, I prefer synthetic sealants because they last longer than natural Carnauba wax, which can literally melt off on a 40-degree arvo.