A catalytic reforming process comprising the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons to aromatics, said process comprising treating a halided zeolite catalyst (hiz-cat) containing a Group VIII metal at commercial startup conditions and then reforming hydrocarbons, wherein said catalyst is prepared by washing a bound zeolite catalyst base or a bound zeolite catalyst before halide addition. A preferred hiz-cat is a non-acidic Pt K L-zeolite catalyst prepared by a process that includes the steps of preparing a calcined silica-bound K L-zeolite catalyst base; washing said bound zeolite catalyst base with a liquid comprising water; and incorporating Pt and halogen-containing compound(s) comprising chlorine and fluorine into said washed catalyst base. Ammonium chloride and ammonium fluoride are preferred halide sources.