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First thing is to find a suitable place to wash your pride and joy. This spot should really be in the shade, preferably under a car port. Sun shine will cause the wax and shampoo to streak. Avoid very hot temperatures and never wash hot paint work. Park the car in the shade and wait for it to cool. If possible, park facing up hill. Cars are designed so that water flows form front to rear. So this helps it the washing as well as the drying.

Using gentle hose pressure, wash off all the excess dust and bird droppings etc. Gentle pressure will stop the water from forcing dust particles into the paint work, thereby scratching it. Once the upper surfaces are done, you may need to turn up the pressure and wash out the underside muck.

Next grab the wash mit, bucket and shampoo. I prefer using a woolen mit to a sponge because they trap less dust and are easier to wash after wards. I use a good shampoo, not dishwashing detergent because I'd rather not risk my car's paint for the sake of a few dollars. Many dishwashing detergents contain salts or bleaches which can damage paint and strip wax. However you could argue that if the detergent is "mild on hands" it should also be mild on paint. In the end it's up to you.

Start at the roof and work down. Always follow the air flow over the car.

Metal polish such as Autosol is incredible stuff! Try using it on hard plastic such as door handles, exterior mirrors and Taillight lenses.

Scratched perspex. Just go to a plastic supplier (like a sign shop) and ask them for some plastic polish. There are several types, some for power buffers and others for hand application. They are very fine-grained abrasive polishes, and will remove small surface imperfections. For deeper scratches, get a stick of plastic buffing compound & put it on a wheel (wear a mask, it stinks.)

Any problems?, bertrand@omen.net.au.