Common Car Detailing Mistakes

If you want to make your car look as good as new but don’t know where to start, car detailing is what you want to do. However, it’s easy for people to make mistakes when car detailing if they have never done it or know what’s involved in the process.

It’s important to know what to do and how to do it so you can avoid any mistakes that will damage your car or make the process longer than it needs to be. Read on for some of the most common car detailing errors and learn how to avoid them to give your vehicle the shine it deserves in no time.

Using Wrong Cleaning Detergent

Using the wrong cleaning detergent can harm your vehicle’s paint and even cause permanent damage. It’s best never to use dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, window cleaner, or any other household cleaning product designed for another type of surface. These products can strip the wax or sealant you have applied to your car and can even cause damage to the finish in some cases.

Detailing in Direct Sunlight

When waxing your car, make sure the vehicle is parked in a well-ventilated, shaded area. That is because direct sunlight can accelerate the aging of your car’s paint over time. The heat from the sun can also cause water spots and corrosion, which is another thing you don’t want to experience on your vehicle.

Using the Wrong Glass Cleaner

There are so many types of glass cleaner on the market that it can be hard to know which one to use. Some cleaners can damage the surface of your car’s windows, while others can leave a film that causes streaks.

Cleaning From Bottom to Top

It’s important not to clean tires, rims, or door jams before cleaning the rest of your vehicle. The reason is that grime tends to stick to these areas, so they will get dirty again as soon as you touch them.

Using the Same MF Towel for Different Purposes

If you use the same MF towel to wipe your windshield and then wipe your tires, you could transfer grime from one part of your vehicle to another. Each time you clean a different surface of your car, use a separate towel.

Driving the Car to Dry It

The most common mistake when car detailing is to drive it after washing it. It’s best to always leave your vehicle completely dry before taking it out on the road. The interior of a car can start to grow mold, which can harm you and your vehicle.

Over-Polishing the Car’s Paint

Over-polishing your vehicle’s paint will not only result in a dull finish but could also cause permanent damage to the finish. The best way to make your car’s paint look its best is by accepting that it won’t be perfect at first and giving the car time to dry between polishings fully.

Wiping Missed Spots With Drying Towel

If you leave a road rash, water spots, or any other spots from waxing on the towel you used to dry your paint, they will continue to appear. It’s best to only use the same towel for wet and dry tasks.

Pouring Waxes Directly to the Paint

It’s best not to pour your wax directly onto your vehicle’s paint. Better results are achieved when the wax is applied relatively thinly and evenly, so it can easily spread out over the car’s surface.

Using a Towel Paper Towel

If you use a drying towel to wipe down your vehicle, make sure that it’s clean and not used previously to clean another part of your car. Use towels designed for one purpose only and discard them when they’re finished being used.

Using Household Glass Cleaners

Not all glass cleaners are created equal. If you’re looking to get your vehicle’s windows as clean as possible, it’s best to use a commercial glass cleaner designed for cleaning auto glass.

Car detailing can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating task. It’s important to remember that everything happens in its own time, and there’s no need to hurry through the process to get your vehicle looking as good as new. It’s best to do things at your own pace and save money in the long run by doing things correctly from day one. If it’s too much, you can always opt to have your local car detailing shop – you can expect professionals won’t run into car detailing mistakes in comparison.