Keeping the Rig Minto: Your Monthly Deep Clean Checklist

Never, ever wash a car in direct Aussie sun if you can help it. The water dries too fast, leaving water spots that are a nightmare to remove. If you've gotta do it outside, do it at first light or late arvo.

If you've just driven the car, the bonnet will be hot. Give it 20 minutes to cool down. Applying chemicals to a hot panel is a recipe for staining.

Always start with the wheels. They are the filthiest part. If you do them last, you'll splash brake dust and grime onto your clean paint.

Fill your rinse bucket with plain water and your wash bucket with a good quality pH-neutral soap. Use the recommended ratio, more soap isn't always better.

Don't be that bloke tripping over hoses. Lay your brushes out and have your chemicals ready to go.

Before you get anything wet, use a blower or vacuum to get the loose dust out. If you've been in the outback, that red dust becomes mud as soon as it hits water.

Spray your wheel cleaner on dry rims. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes (don't let it dry). Srub the tyres with a stiff brush to get the brown 'blooming' off, and use a soft brush for the rim faces.

Cover the whole car in a thick layer of foam. This softens the bug guts and lifts the dust. Let it dwell for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly from the bottom up (yeah, you heard me, bottom up for the rinse ensures the foam works longer on the dirtier bits).

Start from the roof and work down. Wash a panel, then rinse your mitt in the 'dirty' bucket before getting more soap. Light pressure only, the soap should do the work.

Once the car is clean but still wet, spray an Iron Remover over the paint. If you see purple streaks, that's the chemical reacting with brake dust and industrial fallout. Rinse it off thoroughly after 3 minutes.

Use a clay mitt with plenty of soapy water as lubricant. Run it over the paint until it feels smooth as glass. This is crucial for getting that 'deep' shine later.

Give the whole car a massive rinse, making sure to get into all the window seals and door jambs where soap likes to hide.

Lay your large drying towel flat across a panel and pull it towards you. Don't 'scrub' the car dry. Use a blower (or even a leaf blower) to get water out of the side mirrors and fuel cap.

You don't need to hose it every month, but a quick wipe with a damp microfibre and some APC keeps the dust from building up on your hoses and covers.

Wipe down all hard surfaces with APC. Use a detailing brush for the vents and cup holders. Don't forget the steering wheel, it's usually the grossest part of the car.

Use a dedicated glass cleaner and two towels. One to spread the product, one to buff it dry. This prevents those annoying streaks when you're driving into the sun.

Once the paint is dry and cool, apply your sealant or ceramic spray. This is your shield against the UV. Work one panel at a time.

Apply a water-based tyre shine. I hate the greasy, oily ones that sling all over your paint. Go for a 'satin' finish, looks more professional.

Quick wipe with a spray wax in the door shuts. Stops the red dust from sticking there next time.

Walk around the car with a fresh microfibre. Buff off any high spots from the sealant and check for any missed spots. Job's a good 'un.