What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, I've spent 15 years polishing everything from dusty farm utes to show-quality HSVs, and the basics never change. This list is designed for the backyard warrior who wants a pro result without the fluff. We're focusing on stripping the summer grime and prepping for the wetter months ahead.
The Gear You Actually Need
What You'll Need
Pre-Start Sanity Check
What You'll Need
While you're here...
The Wash Process
Wheels First
Always do wheels while the car is dry. If you do them last, you'll splash dirty brake dust all over your clean panels.
The Big Rinse
Blast off the loose red dust and grit. Focus on wheel arches and the bottom of the doors where the road salt sits.
Contact Wash
Use the two-bucket method. Start from the roof and work down. Rinse your mitt in the 'clean' water bucket after every single panel.
Decontamination
If the paint feels rough, run a clay mitt over it with plenty of soapy water as lube. This pulls out embedded metallic fallout.
The Dry
Lay your drying towel flat and pull it across the surface. Don't scrub. You want to soak up the water before it bakes on.
Protect the Paint
Apply your sealant. I've found that in our 40 degree heat, synthetic sealants last heaps longer than natural carnauba waxes which just melt off.
Glass and Tyres
Clean the windows inside and out. Apply tyre shine last so you don't accidentally kick it up onto the clean paintwork.
The 'Mate's Coming Over' Inspection
What You'll Need
Expert Opinions
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