AUTOGLYM, the UK's largest car care brand, is warning car owners to exercise particular caution when clearing ‘Saharan dust' from their vehicles.

Conventional washing techniques could lead to fine scratches and swirls being etched permanently into paintwork.

Weather experts are reporting that the dust, which comprises ultra-fine sand and mineral particles, is currently being carried on warm southerly air currents that have travelled from the deserts of North Africa, and will fall across most of the UK.

Autoglym warns that a conventional ‘contact wash', where a sponge and soapy water are applied direct to the dirty surface, could easily cause more harm than good.

Autoglym's technical director, Paul Coley, said: "If you find your once clean car suddenly covered in a fine layer of red dust, you are not alone. The dust won't harm your car if left alone, but if you are too eager to remove it, you may cause long-term damage to your paintwork. That will be very difficult to correct, potentially requiring a costly machine polish."

Autoglym's top tips for removing ‘Saharan dust':

Tip 1: Don't write your name in it!Sand and other large particles are abrasive, so wiping with your finger or a cloth is highly likely to cause fine scratches that will then require polishing later.

Tip 2:The safest way to wash a car is to ‘pre-wash', removing as much of the dirt as possible before physically touching the panels during the ‘contact wash' stage. If you have a pressure washer, soak the car with a thick layer of snow foam, such as Autoglym Polar Blast. Leave it to dwell for several minutes before using lots of water to rinse it away, working from the bottom of the car upwards. If you don't have the facility to apply a snow foam, use a pressure washer to remove as much of the dusty residues as possible before washing, again working from the bottom of the car upwards.

Tip 3: Complete a safe contact wash.Be sure to use a dedicated car shampoo (such as Autoglym Polar Wash, which is applied through a pressure washer) and wash mitt to lift and capture any particles rather than pushing them across the surface. All Autoglym shampoos are formulated to break the bond between dirt particles and paintwork, suspending it in the solution so it can be easily rinsed away at the end of the wash. If possible, use a large-capacity bucket with a grit guard, which avoids the mitt or sponge coming into contact with particles that settle to the bottom of the bucket. For best results, the ‘two bucket method' is ideal - after each pass across the dirty car, dip the wash mitt into a second bucket filled with clean water to rinse away particles before immersing the mitt back in the wash solution, minimising contamination.

Tip 4: Correct the swirls.After drying the car, inspect for any paintwork damage. If you find any marks or light scratches you can use products that either ‘correct' or cover the blemishes. For example, AutoglymAdvanced Paint Restorer is a new compound polish that can permanently remove haze, swirls and light scratches, either by hand or by using a machine polisher. Alternatively, AutoglymPaint Reviver is a new easy-to-use coating that conceals the appearance of paint swirls and fine scratches by filling fine imperfections in the clear coat.

Tip 5: Apply a barrier to future fallout.Adding a layer of protection to the paintwork will limit the adhesion of deposits and make future washing processes much easier. This won't stop the car from getting dirty if there is more dusty rain, but it will make removing it much simpler. Autoglym's Rapid Ceramic Spray is very quick and easy to apply and provides three months of protection. Those with a pressure washer can quickly and easily apply a durable sealant in the form of Polar Seal.

The latest range of Autoglym products are available now from Autoglym.com, Amazon.co.uk, Halfords stores, and independent retailers.

Autoglym has also launched two new surface correction products that tackle unsightly defects such as fine scratches and swirls to significantly improve the appearance of a vehicle's paintwork.

Autoglym Advanced Paint Restorer(£21.99) is a new compound polish that can permanently remove haze, swirls and light scratches, either by hand or by using a machine polisher. The new product gently abrades surface-level imperfections to remove blemishes with minimal effort, and its ‘cutting' ingredient breaks down progressively during application to eliminate the potential for accidental damage. Suitable to apply to whole panels or isolated areas, Advanced Paint Restorer safely delivers permanent, professional-grade results at home.

To make applying the new product even easier, Autoglym has launched the Hand Polishing Puck at £9.99, for two applicators, which sits neatly in the user's palm and facilitates consistent, strain-free application. Also new is the Autoglym Dual Action Machine Pad at £12.99, a safe and effective accessory for those who wish to apply Advanced Paint Restorer using a dual-action machine polisher.

Autoglym PaintReviver(£16.99) is an easy-to-use coating that conceals the appearance of paint swirls and fine scratches by filling fine imperfections in the clear coat. The non-abrasive formulation, which uses advanced polymer technology, revives paint colour and enhances gloss for over three months. The product can be applied quickly and easily in three steps by simply wiping, drying and buffing the affected areas. The product does not require a polish or wax to be applied to achieve a long-lasting effect.

Autoglym recently commissioned a consumer survey that found that a majority of car owners are unsure how to tackle minor scratches and swirls on their vehicle paintwork, and most would be put off from buying a used vehicle where such blemishes are evident.

When asked:"Have you avoided fixing minor paint scratches or swirls yourself because you feared making them worse?",67 per cent said ‘yes'. Among those looking to buy a used vehicle, 57 per cent of those surveyed say they would be put off if the car had minor scratches or swirls (20 per cent ‘strongly agreeing' and 37 per cent ‘somewhat agreeing').

Mark Knowles, product manager at Autoglym said: "We've developed these two new paint enhancement products to suit the needs of car care enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, including those who might be nervous about using ‘paint correction' products with an abrasive ingredient. Having imperfections in paintwork can be an annoyance for many, but now they have the tools to improve it quickly, easily and safely at home."

To complete the revival of a car's-tired exterior, Autoglym recently launched a new Exterior Trim Restorer, a premium-grade product that transforms dull and faded plastics back to their original factory-fresh condition and protects against fading for at least three months. The easy-to-use all-in-one kit includes enough product to treat around five mid-sized family cars.