How Often Should You Really Be Washing Your Car?

Callum Foster

It’s a question we get asked all the time at Spotless Detailing - how often should I wash my car? The truth is, the answer depends on a few key factors: how often you drive it, the conditions it’s exposed to, and how important long term protection and appearance are to you.

Whether your car’s coated in Gtechniq ceramic protection or it’s just your daily driver in need of care, here’s our guide to keeping your vehicle looking its best.

White sports car covered in foam suds outside a garage.

The Weekly Wash (or Fortnightly, at Minimum)

For most vehicles, a weekly or fortnightly wash is ideal. This helps remove road grime, salt, bugs, bird droppings, and other contaminants before they have a chance to etch into your paintwork or affect any protective coatings.

If your vehicle is protected with a Gtechniq ceramic coating, keeping to a regular wash schedule is even more important. While the coating helps repel dirt and makes cleaning easier, contaminants can still sit on the surface and dull the finish if left for too long.


We recommend starting with Gtechniq GWash to safely lift loose dirt and grime during the pre-wash stage. After a thorough rinse, apply the snow foam and gently work this in using a microfibre wash mitt to loosen any remaining debris - this step is key for reducing the risk of swirls or scratches.


Don’t skip drying! Air drying can cause water spotting, so use a soft microfibre towel to safely dry the car and protect the finish.


Recommended Gtechniq Products:

  • GWash – A pH-neutral shampoo safe for all surfaces
  • Citrus Snow Foam – For a powerful but safe wash
  • Microfibre Wash Mitt – Ultra soft for swirl free contact washing
  • ZeroR Microfibre Towel – Perfect for a streak-free, gentle dry


Tip: You don’t need to use the two-bucket method. As long as you’ve thoroughly rinsed during your pre-wash and use a grit guard in your wash bucket, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of introducing scratches while cleaning.

Washing a car wheel with a brush. The wheel is gold with white tire lettering and covered in foamy soap.

Every 3–6 Months: Decontamination Clean

Even with regular washing, your car will eventually need a deeper clean to remove bonded contaminants like tar, iron fallout, and tree sap. This is especially true if your vehicle is frequently parked outdoors.

We recommend a decontamination wash every couple of months, depending on your mileage and environment.


What this includes:

  • Citrus All Purpose Cleaner to break down surface grime
  • Iron Remover (W6) to safely lift iron particles from paint and wheels
  • Tar Remover (W7) for sticky tar spots


This process keeps your ceramic coating performing its best and ensures a smooth, slick surface.


If you notice your vehicle isn’t beading water as well as it used to, consider using Gtechniq’s Ceramic Sealant (C2v3) to top up the hydrophobic performance and gloss between major maintenance washes.

Grey Aston Martin being washed with a hose outside a building.

Make Maintenance Easy With the Right Products

To make regular washing easier and more effective, we stock a full range of Gtechniq maintenance products in both our Perth and Elgin branches. If you’re unsure what you need for your specific car or coating, just pop in as we’re always happy to help recommend the right products and techniques for your setup.

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