Comprehensive Beach and Coastal Decontamination Guide

Never wash a vehicle that is hot to the touch. In Australian summer conditions, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C. Park the vehicle in a shaded area or under a carport and allow the brakes, engine, and panels to cool for at least 45 minutes. This prevents cleaning chemicals from flash-drying and causing permanent etching on the paintwork.

Open the bonnet and all doors. Use a vacuum or low-pressure compressed air to blow out loose, dry sand from the engine bay cowl, door jambs, and the area behind the fuel filler flap. Removing dry sand now prevents it from turning into a thick, abrasive mud once water is introduced.

Prepare your chemicals according to the severity of the salt exposure. For the salt neutraliser, a ratio of 1:100 is standard for maintenance, but for heavy beach use, 1:50 is recommended. Mix your snow foam at a 1:9 ratio in the foam cannon. Ensure you are using soft water if possible, as mineral-heavy 'hard' water reduces the effectiveness of the surfactants.

Ensure you are working on a concrete pad or a hardstand with adequate drainage. Avoid washing on grass as the salt runoff and degreasers will kill the lawn. Wear eye protection when using the underbody wand, as salt-laden water and grit will be deflected back toward your face at high velocity.

Begin with the undercarriage. Using an underbody water broom or an angled wand, perform a slow, systematic pass from the front bumper to the rear. Focus on the 'salt traps': the tops of the chassis rails, the cross-members, and the area above the fuel tank. Spend at least 10 minutes on this stage alone; you want to see the runoff water turn from brown/grey to completely clear.

Switch your pressure washer to the chemical injector or use a pump sprayer to apply the salt neutralising solution to the entire undercarriage. This chemical breaks the ionic bond between the salt and the metal. Let it dwell for 5-7 minutes, but do not allow it to dry. The solution will react with the sodium chloride, rendering it harmless and water-soluble.

Salt accumulates heavily in suspension coils and behind plastic wheel arch liners. Use a high-pressure 25-degree nozzle to flush out the 'cups' where the springs sit. Agitate the inner barrels of the wheels with a dedicated wheel brush and a PH-neutral cleaner to remove brake dust that has bonded with salt spray.

Cover the alternator and any exposed air intakes with plastic. Use a low-pressure setting to rinse the engine bay, focusing on the radiator fins and the firewall. Salt often crystallises on the radiator, which can lead to overheating in the Australian heat. Apply a mild degreaser, agitate with a soft brush, and rinse gently.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam to the entire exterior, starting from the bottom and working up. The foam should dwell for 5 minutes. This 'lifts' the abrasive sand particles away from the paint surface. Watch the foam; if it turns brown quickly, it is successfully pulling dirt and salt off the panels.

While the foam is dwelling, use a soft-bristle detailing brush to work into the window seals, door handles, badges, and the grille. These are the areas where sand hides and causes 'weeping' rust or scratches later. Be gentle; the goal is to lubricate and dislodge, not scrub.

Rinse the foam off using the pressure washer, starting from the roof and working down. Use long, sweeping motions. Pay particular attention to the roof gutters and the base of the windscreen where salt spray often settles during coastal drives.

Fill one bucket with wash shampoo and the other with clean rinse water. Use a high-quality microfibre wash mitt. Wash one panel at a time, rinsing the mitt in the plain water bucket after every pass to ensure no sand particles are being dragged across the paint. This is your final insurance against 'swirl marks'.

Coastal air carries a fine oily mist. Use a dedicated glass cleaner or a 50/50 mix of Isopropyl Alcohol and water to strip the salt film from the exterior glass. This ensures your wipers don't smear salt across the windscreen during the next rain event.

Perform a final flood rinse using a hose without a nozzle. This allows the water to 'sheet' off the vehicle, reducing the amount of drying required. Inspect the bottom of the doors and the sills for any remaining sand grit. If you feel any crunchiness when touching the paint, repeat the foam step.

Dry the vehicle using a large microfibre drying towel. In 40°C heat, work quickly to avoid water spots. If available, use a leaf blower or dedicated car dryer to blow water out of the wing mirrors, light housings, and wheel nuts. Stagnant salt water in these areas is a primary cause of 'run-down' stains.

Salt is often tracked inside on shoes and skin. Wipe down leather or vinyl seats with a damp microfibre cloth to remove salt crystals. Vacuum the carpets thoroughly; salt trapped in carpet fibres will absorb humidity and cause the floor pans to rust from the inside out.