Why washing causes scratches
Road grime contains fine grit. If a sponge or mitt picks that grit up and drags it across the car, it leaves very fine scratches in the clear coat. One wash won’t do much, but over months they build into the “spider web” swirls you see under direct sun or a servo’s LED lights.
So the whole method comes down to three things: get as much dirt off as possible before you touch the paint, keep the dirt you do pick up away from the paint, and use soft, clean materials.
What you need
- Two buckets — one for soapy water, one for rinsing the mitt. Grit guards in the bottom help keep dirt from getting picked back up.
- A dedicated car shampoo. Dishwashing liquid is a degreaser and will strip any wax or sealant off the paint.
- A microfibre or lambswool wash mitt rather than a sponge, which traps grit against the surface.
- Separate wheel brushes and a separate bucket for wheels, never used on paint.
- A large, plush drying towel.
- A hose, and optionally a pressure washer with a foam lance.
Step by step
- Work in the shade on cool panels. Soap and water drying on hot paint leaves spots and streaks.
- Do the wheels first. They’re the dirtiest part of the car. Clean them with their own brushes and rinse them off before you start on the body. Our brake dust guide covers this in detail.
- Rinse or pre-wash the whole car. A thorough rinse from the top down removes loose grit. If you have a foam lance, let snow foam dwell for a few minutes (without drying) and rinse it off — it softens road film before you touch anything.
- Two-bucket wash, top down. Load the mitt from the soap bucket, wash one panel with straight, light passes, then rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket before reloading. Roof, glass and bonnet first; lower doors, bumpers and sills last because they’re the dirtiest.
- Drop the mitt? Stop. Rinse it thoroughly or swap to a clean one. A mitt that’s been on the driveway is full of grit.
- Final rinse. Let the water sheet off from the top so less is left to dry.
- Dry straight away. Lay the towel on the panel and pat or gently drag it. Don’t scrub. Do door jambs and mirrors too, where water hides and runs out later.
Common mistakes
- Using one bucket — you’re just washing the car with diluted dirt
- Using the same mitt or towel on wheels and paint
- Washing in full sun in summer
- Wiping off dust or bird droppings with a dry cloth
- Letting the car air-dry in the sun
- Using household cleaners on paint or glass
Melbourne notes
Sun: a Melbourne summer afternoon will dry water on a dark bonnet in a minute or two. Wash early in the morning or later in the day, and work one panel at a time.
Water: Melbourne’s tap water is relatively soft compared with many parts of Australia, so mineral spotting is less severe — but water left to bake in the sun can still mark the paint and glass. Drying is what prevents it.
Drains: street drains in Melbourne flow to local creeks and the bay rather than to a treatment plant. Where you can, wash on grass or gravel instead of a driveway that runs into the gutter, and don’t overdo the shampoo.
Between washes
Bird droppings and tree sap shouldn’t wait for wash day, especially in summer. Here’s how to remove tree sap and bird droppings safely.
Rather not spend your Sunday on it? Our exterior hand wash follows exactly this order, and it’s part of every $150 full detail at your home.