Saving Your Paint from the Brutal Aussie Sun

Never, ever wash or seal a car in direct Aussie sunlight. The water spots will dry faster than you can wipe them, and the chemicals can bake onto the surface. Wait until the panels are cool to the touch.

Don't just go in with a sponge. Hit the car with a hose or pressure washer first to get the loose grit off. If you've been in the outback, spend extra time in the wheel arches to get that red dust out.

Chuck some bug remover on the front bar and mirrors. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes (don't let it dry!) to soften up those baked-on grasshoppers.

Wash from the top down. Dip your mitt in the soap, wash a panel, then rinse it in the plain water bucket before going back for more soap. This keeps the dirt you just pulled off the car away from your paint.

Run your hand over the clean, wet 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 until it feels smooth as glass. This is the secret to making the sealant actually stick.

Don't use an old chamois; they're prehistoric. Use a large microfibre drying towel. Pat it dry rather than dragging it to avoid any swirl marks.

I reckon ceramic sprays are the way to go for most blokes. Apply your sealant (like Bead Machine or Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic) one panel at a time. A little goes a long way, don't drown the thing.

Use a fresh, dry microfibre to buff the sealant. You're looking for a high-gloss, slick finish. If it's streaky, you've used too much product or the panel was too warm.

Plastic trim turns grey in the sun faster than anything else. Use a dedicated trim restorer with UV blockers. Honestly, don't bother with the greasy 'wet look' stuff; it just attracts dust like a magnet.

Clean the windows inside and out. I usually put a rain repellent on the exterior glass, it helps salt spray and morning dew slide right off.

The dash is the most expensive part of your interior to fix. Wipe it down with 303 Protectant. It doesn't leave a shiny, distracting glare, but it stops the vinyl from cracking under the UV load.

A quick wipe of the rubber seals with a silicone-based protector stops them from sticking and tearing in the heat. Your partner will thank you when the doors don't 'groan' every time they open them.

Check for any high spots (leftover product) in the light. Once you're happy, leave the car to 'cure' in the garage or under a carport for an hour if you can.