Detailing mistakes to avoid
There isn’t a right way to detail but there definitely are some wrong ways, lets go over some together:)
Using a pressure washer on a dirty car
Most detailers get a customers vehicle and start by rinsing the car with a pressure washer. This is a problem because all that dirt on your car is now being hit with 1800 pounds per square inch of water, that can lead to scratching and marring your paint. So instead, use a foam cannon first; let it dwell, and then rinse it off and foam the car again and do your contact wash. That way when you rinse the car you’re not spraying 1800 psi of water on the dirt.
2. Over using the Extractor and Steamer
Yes I know they are fun and look like they are DEEP cleaning your car. But its actually the opposite and should only be used on very particular instances like stains or soiled fabrics. And all that dirt that the extractor sucks up, was dry, but since the extractor soaks the area it turns to mud that is pressed even deeper into your surfaces. You also want to be very careful using an Extractor on seats due to the technology in seats these days. You got Heated seats, Occupancy sensors and comfort modulation controls. Electronics do no like to be wet. The more moisture/water you bring into a vehicle, the more you have to remove from said vehicle. You can’t give a customer a wet interior. And if you shut the doors and don’t let it dry, its going to smell musty and cause fogging on all the glass surfaces due to the extra moisture. Instead just use a brush and vacuum to get the dirt out, and if there’s a stain just talk to the customer and see how much they really want it removed and then proceed with the Extractor.
3. Cleaning the headliner
Obviously you should clean the headliner; its how people do it that is wrong. When cleaning the headliner, you want to be VERY gentle. Use a soft bristle brush and a microfiber towel to try to remove the dirt mark or stain. You don’t want to get the headliner excessively wet because the adhesive that holds it to the ceiling of the car is very weak and easily warn out by strong chemicals and water.
4. Reusing/using dirty Microfiber towels
When detailing Interiors/Exteriors you want to make sure you are using CLEAN Microfiber towels. If you keep using a dirty towel; 1, you will just be spreading the dirt and germs you were cleaning off the other surface's. 2, your at a higher risk of scratching or marring the paint or interior plastics. 3, dirty towels can’t absorb the wash chemicals you are applying as well, leading to greasy surfaces. So just make sure you are using clan towels and dedicated stained or overly soiled rags for tires(not rims) or engine bays.
5. Not drying the vehicle after washing
If you don’t dry the vehicle after washing it, you will have a sea of water spots all over your car as the sun is baking the water into the paint. It can also cause streaks on glass and fogging on mirrors and glass.
5. Having a plethora of specialty chemicals
One guaranteed way to slow you down and make your detailing life way more stressful is to have a TON of chemicals. Research the chemicals you buy and you will see that those specialty tar removers, bug removers, and sap removers are just all purpose cleaners labeled differently. All you need to clean the exterior of a car is an all purpose cleaner, a soap or rinse-less wash, tire dressing, and your wash media(Sponge/brush/mitt). Boom. Look how simple and easy that is, so stress free.
6. Looking at the window that you are cleaning
I know that sounds weird; but hear me out. If you are going side to side looking the window while your cleaning it, it will look clean immediately after, but then it dries and you got streaks and dirt everywhere. Instead focus on how it feels, wipe until it feels smooth and silky with no grit. Then when it dries there will be no streaks or dirt. Also make sure to roll the windows down a little to get that lip that is under the window trim.
