GO WITH THE FLOW – 2025 FLOWCHART GUIDE
We’ve created a set of fresh, easy to follow flowcharts to help you get the best from our Bowden's Own car care gear. Whether you're giving your daily driver a weekly wash, prepping your classic for a show, or cleaning down your mud-covered 4WD, these guides show you the right steps, in the right order, using the right products.
They're built from decades of hands on experience, real-world testing, and a whole lot of passion. No confusing jargon, just clear, simple systems that make car care enjoyable and effective.
THE SIMPLE MAINTENANCE SYSTEM
Our go to 5–6 step weekly wash system. It’s what we use ourselves for a quick, consistent clean that keeps your paint protected and looking schmick.
Extra tip:
Every few washes, add Step 4 – Wet Dreams or Happy Ending – just before drying. It’s a simple way to refresh your protection and make future washes quicker and easier.
🖨️ Download here to save or print this flowchart
THE GOING BIGGER SYSTEM
This one’s for the full exterior detail—perfect for new cars, yearly deep cleans, or when you just feel like giving the car a serious pamper session. It walks you through more of the Bowden’s range, in the right order, for top results.
Don’t feel like you need to do it every wash—the simple system above is your go-to for regular care.
🖨️ Download here to save or print this flowchart
THE 4WD & OFF-ROAD SYSTEM
Our new 4WD specific flowchart is made for the mud lovers and adventure seekers. It includes the key steps and gear we recommend for tougher cleans, think caked-on dirt, heavy duty bug splatter, and that glorious red dust. We’ve tailored this guide for paint, trims, and even underbody care, so you can keep your off-roader clean without damaging delicate surfaces.
If your pride and joy spends more time off the road than on it, this chart’s for you.
🖨️ Download here to save or print this flowchart
FINISHING OPTIONS – CHOOSE YOUR STYLE
At the tail end of the Going Bigger and 4WD systems, you’ll notice Steps 8 and 9 split into three finishing options. These let you choose the protection and finish that best suits your car, paint condition, and how you like it to look and feel.
OPTION 1 – SUPER HYDROPHOBIC
Best for: Daily drivers and modern cars
Our most durable protection. Great for newer paint or ceramic-coated surfaces, and for fans of extreme water beading. Bead Machine bonds beautifully to clean, well-sealed surfaces.
OPTION 2 – TRADITIONAL WAXES & SEALANTS
Best for: Older paint, single-stage finishes, or garage-kept classics
These give that deep, rich glow you can only get from a quality wax. Ideal for weekenders and enthusiast rides. Top it off with Fully Slick for that satisfyingly slick feel.
OPTION 3 – BEAUT BEADS SYSTEM
Best for: All paint types, especially if you love the richness of a wax with modern protection
Apply Beaut Beads straight to bare, clean paint. Let it cure for 12 hours before topping with Bead Machine (optional) for extra durability. We've flipped the usual "sealant before wax" rule here for a reason—our testing shows this way works better with our formulas.
BEAUT BEADS FLOWCHART
If you’ve picked up a jar of our super hydrophobic Beaut Beads paste wax, we’ve got a dedicated flowchart just for that. Follow it to get the best performance and finish from this epic product.
🖨️ Download here to save or print this flowchart
NEED MORE INFO?
Want to know which microfibre to use or get our exact techniques for application? Each product has a detailed guide available. Click through to learn what we do and why it works.
PUT IT ON THE WALL
All our flowcharts are available as downloadable, high-res files so you can print them out for your garage, detailing bay, or even your bedroom (go on, live a little) or simply save them on your phone.
📧 Email us at info@bowdensown.co.nz and we’ll send you the print files.
📞 Got a question? Give us a buzz on 0800 351 308.
Go with the flow,
Dan Bowden