How to Give Your New Car Its Very First Wash (The Right Way)

Never, ever wash your car in direct Aussie sun if you can help it. The water dries too fast and leaves spots. If you don't have a carport, do it early morning or late arvo.

Touch the bonnet with the back of your hand. If it's too hot to keep your hand there, it's too hot to wash. You'll just bake the soap onto the paint.

I always start with wheels. Why? Because they're the filthiest part. If you do them last, you'll splash dirty water all over your clean car.

Blast it with the hose to get the loose stuff off. If you've got a foam cannon, use it now. If you've been out near the beach, pay extra attention to the wheel arches to get that salt out.

Spray your wheel cleaner on cool rims. Let it sit for a minute (don't let it dry!), then scrub with your brush and rinse. Easy as.

Dunk your mitt in the soapy bucket, wash a panel (start from the roof and work down), then rinse the mitt in the plain water bucket before going back for more soap. This keeps the dirt in the rinse bucket, not on your car.

After washing but before drying, run your hand over the wet paint. Does it feel like sandpaper? That's rail dust and fallout. Use a clay mitt with plenty of soapy water as lube to glide over the surface until it feels glass-smooth.

Take the nozzle off the hose and let the water just 'sheet' over the car. If the paint is clean, most of the water will just fall off, making drying heaps easier.

Lay your big microfibre towel across the bonnet and just pull it towards you. Don't scrub. You want to blot or glide. Use a bit of 'drying aid' spray if you want extra lubricity.

Don't forget these. Use an old microfibre to dry the insides of the doors. It's the mark of a pro (and stops drips later).

Now the paint is naked. Apply your spray sealant. Work one panel at a time, buffing it in. This is your shield against the March sun and any bird or bat bombs that might land on it tonight.