Comprehensive Sand and Salt Removal Techniques

Park the vehicle in a fully shaded area with a cool-to-the-touch surface. In Australian summer, surface temperatures on dark paint can exceed 70°C, causing cleaning chemicals to flash-dry instantly, leading to caustic etching. Ensure the ground is a hard surface (concrete or pavers) rather than grass or dirt to prevent re-introducing dust during the process.

Remove all floor mats, seat covers, and personal items. Shake out mats away from the vehicle. Use a stiff brush to move sand from the edges of the floor towards the centre of the footwell. This prevents sand from being pushed further into the crevices during the vacuuming phase.

Prepare your salt neutraliser and snow foam in dedicated pressurised sprayers. For Australian coastal salt, a slightly more concentrated mix of salt neutraliser (1:60) is recommended for the initial underbody soak. Ensure you are using demineralised water if your local tap water has a high mineral content (hard water), which is common in many regional Australian areas.

Use a high-lumen torch to inspect the chassis rails, wheel arches, and engine bay for 'salt crusting' or packed sand. Note any areas where grease has trapped sand, as these will require a degreaser (like Bowden’s Own Orange Agent) in addition to the salt neutraliser.

Begin by flushing the underbody with fresh water to remove bulk sand. Use an angled wand to spray inside the box sections of the chassis. Spend at least 10 minutes on this phase; sand often hides on top of the fuel tank and inside the suspension control arms. If you have been on the beach, this is the most critical step to prevent frame rot.

Apply the salt neutralising solution to the entire undercarriage, wheel wells, and lower 30cm of the exterior paintwork. Allow it to dwell for 5-7 minutes, but do not let it dry. The chemical reaction breaks the ionic bond between the salt and the metal, allowing it to be rinsed away completely.

Coat the entire vehicle in a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam. The foam's surfactants encapsulate the sharp sand grains on the paint. Leave for 5 minutes. As the foam slides down the panels, it safely carries the abrasive particles away without you having to touch the paint, which prevents 'swirl marks'.

Rinse the foam thoroughly from top to bottom. Pay special attention to window seals, door shuts, and the fuel filler cap. Use a soft detailing brush to agitate foam into the window rubbers where sand often lodges, then flush again. Ensure all 'hidden' sand is evacuated before any contact washing occurs.

Perform a traditional two-bucket wash using a high-lubricity car shampoo. Use horizontal strokes only. If you feel any grit under the mitt, stop immediately, rinse the mitt in your 'rinse' bucket, and re-evaluate the area. Use a fresh mitt for the lower sills where sand concentration is highest.

Dry the vehicle using a large, high-GSM microfibre drying towel. Once the surface is dry, use compressed air to blow out water and trapped sand from mirror housings, light clusters, and trim lines. In the Australian heat, water trapped in these areas can cause unsightly 'weeping' and water spots if not cleared.

Use a palm sander (without sandpaper) or a drill brush on the carpet while vacuuming. The high-frequency vibration 'jumps' the sand grains out from the base of the carpet pile to the surface, where the vacuum can grab them. This is the only way to remove 100% of 'beach sand' from deep-pile Australian SUV carpets.

Use compressed air to blow out the air conditioning vents and the gap between the dashboard and the windscreen. Fine red dust and sand often settle here. Follow up with a damp microfibre cloth to wipe down all hard surfaces, removing the film of salt air that can make plastics appear cloudy.

Clean the interior and exterior glass with an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Salt film on the inside of the windscreen is a common cause of 'ghosting' or glare during sunrise and sunset. Ensure you wind the windows down slightly to clean the 'salt line' that forms at the top of the glass.

Using a damp cloth (not a hose), wipe down the intake box, battery terminals, and strut towers. Salt air enters through the grille and settles on the engine components. A light application of a water-based dressing will help prevent the rubber hoses from cracking in the summer heat.

Apply a ceramic-infused spray sealant to the paintwork. This provides a sacrificial layer that makes future sand removal much easier. In Australia, look for a product with high UV blockers to prevent the clear coat from thinning due to solar degradation.

Walk around the vehicle with a bright light. Check the 'step-ins' and door hinges for any remaining white salt residue. Wipe these areas with a 1:10 dilution of salt neutraliser if found.