After a day of chasing apexes and pushing limits, your car deserves more than just a rinse. Track days are brutal on paint, wheels, and everything in between. At Pal Automotive Specialties, we know exactly what it takes to restore your ride after a day at the circuit — and we put that knowledge to the test on none other than a Porsche 911 GT3.
Here’s how to properly perform a post track-day wash and protection routine to keep your car looking and performing its best:
1. Cool Down
Before washing, let the car cool down completely. Hot surfaces can cause soaps and chemicals to evaporate too quickly, leading to water spots or chemical etching. Give your wheels, brakes, and bodywork time to settle down after their high-speed workout.
2. Start with a Pre-Rinse or Foam Cannon
Begin by blasting away loose dirt and track grime using a pressure washer or foam cannon. This helps lift debris without grinding it into your paint. We used our Sudz-Pro Cherry Glow Body Wash for a rich, safe pre-wash foam on the GT3.
3. Decontaminate with Iron Remover and Clay Bar (Optional)
If you notice any bonded contaminants or track debris, use an iron remover to dissolve embedded metals and contaminants, We used our Iron-Pro Decontamination spray as well as our Citra-Keel all purpose cleaner. If needed use a clay bar to remove deeper contaminants leaving behind a clean smooth surface. The GT3 picked up a surprising amount of fallout after its track session.
4. Contact Wash
Avoid swirl marks by using the tried-and-true two-bucket method: one bucket for soapy water, one for rinsing your mitt between panels. We recommend Sudz-EZE Shampoo concentrate for its slick, safe (ph neutral) suds.
5. Tackle the Wheels and Tires
Track driving means hot brake dust and rubber buildup. Use a pH-balanced wheel cleaner like Wheel-EZE and soft brushes to get into the barrels and calipers. Don’t forget the tire walls, which likely have rubber from the track surface built up but is easily taken care of with a wheel brush and our Citra-Kleen APC.
6. Dry, Protect, and Maintain
Use a high-quality microfiber drying towel or a blower to dry your car. No dragging bath towels here. Finish with Bead-Pro spray sealant to add gloss, slickness, and some quick protection to keep that hydrophobic effect strong.
7. Interior Wipe-Down
Track days aren’t just hard on the exterior. Wipe down the interior with an interior cleaner to remove sweat, dust, and grime. Focus on touch-points like the wheel, shifter, and seats and throw in a quick vacuum session if it needs it.
Final Thoughts
Our in-house Porsche 911 GT3 cleanup was a perfect showcase of how proper technique and premium products can bring a track-beaten car back to life. Whether it’s your daily driver or your weekend warrior, Pal Automotive Specialties has everything you need to clean, protect, and maintain your vehicle like a pro.
Stop by our store or check out our full lineup of products online.
Drive it hard. We’ll help you keep it shining!
Check out our video on the GT3 Detail: https://youtu.be/Tl_ivp8RJp0