A process is described wherein a surface, for example the exterior surface of a vehicle, is contacted with a cleaning composition capable of rendering the surface treated hydrophilic and then rinsed with purified rinse water. Preferably the process also involves a pre-wetting step, wherein the surface is rinsed with water prior to being contacted with the cleaning composition, and/or an additional rinsing step, wherein the surface is rinsed with unpurified water prior to rinsing with the purified rinse water.