Mastering Exterior Car Care in the Australian Summer (Feb 2026)

Never, and I mean never, wash a car in direct midday sun in Australia. The water will flash-dry and leave mineral spots that are a nightmare to remove. If you don't have a carport, do it at 7am or after 5pm.

Give the panels a touch. If they're hot enough to fry an egg, hose the whole car down with cool water for 5 minutes before applying any chemicals.

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

Blast out the wheel arches, the door shuts, and the fuel cap. You want to remove as much loose 'grit' as possible before you touch the car with a mitt.

Fill your rinse bucket with plain water and your wash bucket with your soapy solution. Use the dosage on the bottle, more soap isn't always better.

Spray your wheel cleaner on cool rims. Use a brush to get into the barrels. Don't forget to scrub the tyre sidewalls with a stiff brush to get the brown 'blooming' off.

Cover the dry car in snow foam. Let it dwell for 4-5 minutes. This breaks down the static bond of the dust. Watch it pull the red dirt off the panels.

Rinse the foam off thoroughly. Start from the top and work down. Make sure you get into the window seals where the outback dust hides.

Dunk your mitt in the soapy water, wash a panel (no pressure, just gliding), then rinse the mitt in the plain water bucket before going back for more soap. This keeps your wash water clean.

While the car is wet, spray an Iron Remover on the paint. Let it sit for 2 minutes (don't let it dry!). It'll turn purple as it bleeds out the metal particles.

Put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and run it over the paint. If it feels bumpy, use a clay bar with plenty of soapy water as lube. This makes the paint smooth as glass.

One last rinse to get all the loosened crud off. Use a 'sheeting' motion with the hose (no nozzle) to let the water run off in a big sheet.

Lay your drying towel flat across the bonnet and pull it towards you. Don't scrub. Use a bit of 'drying aid' spray if you want extra lubricity.

Use a dedicated glass cleaner and two towels. One to wipe the dirt, one to buff the streaks. Do the inside too, your 'the missus' will appreciate it.

This is the most important step for Feb. Apply a high-quality sealant. If you're using a spray ceramic, do one panel at a time. Buff it off immediately.

Aussie sun destroys black plastic. Use a trim restorer with UV blockers on your mirrors and wipers so they don't turn grey.

Apply your tyre gel. Let it sit for 20 minutes before driving to avoid the dreaded 'black spots' on your paint.