Everyone has their own way they like to take care of their car. There is no inherently right or wrong way to do it as long as it works for you.
Unfortunately, however, some people in the detailing industry like to give advice that is either unnecessary for people who are just trying to detail their vehicles in their garages during their free time or is just wrong and potentially damaging to the car.
We want to take a little bit of time to help dispel some of the most common car detailing myths out there. When it comes to the detailing of your vehicle, if you have a method that works best for you, that’s great. We don’t want to change that; the purpose of this article is to help you become more knowledgeable about auto detailing and to help make detailing your car a more manageable task you can accomplish yourself.
Clean The Car At Any Time
While it is true that it is best not to wait until your vehicle is noticeably dirty before you decide to clean it, you want to avoid over-cleaning as well. Washing your car too excessively can lead to its own problems.
The main concern is avoiding washing in direct sunlight and high heat; washing directly after use can also cause damage to the finish of the car . It is best to clean your car in dry, cool shaded areas.
Make sure to invest in the correct cleaning materials. Using microfiber towels and proper soaps will ensure your car stays looking its best without causing harm.
Paint Will Last Forever
When they buy a car, many people think that the vehicle and its paint will stay in pristine condition for as long as they own it. While that would make all of our lives much easier, unfortunately, that is not the case.
Without protecting the vehicle's paint, things like dirt, mud, debris, and the elements, in general, will gradually wear on your car. Over time, the paint may begin to chip, scratch, and fade if it is not properly protected and maintained.
There are numerous ways we can keep this from happening. Waxes, sealants, and ceramic coatings are all options to help keep your car looking good for as long as possible.
Wax And Polish Are The Same
Many people believe wax and polish to be words used interchangeably in conversation. Wax is not a polish, and polish isn’t wax, and they should not be confused as such.
While both can help give the car’s paint a fresh look, their purposes are different. Wax is used to help add a protective layer to the paint and help with the longevity of the paint. The wax will form a protective layer over the car's clear coat to keep dirt, sticks, mud, and debris from scratching and sticking to the car and causing damage to the finish.
Polish is used to remove more minor scratches, whereas wax can help prevent or cover them in the first place. Polish is used to finish the paint before protecting it with wax, sealant, or ceramic coating. The latter mentioned products will also protect and give a glossy look to the car.
The Car Is Shiny So It Must Be Clean
This has to be the biggest misconception when it comes to the detailing of cars. Just because the car is shiny and sparkles in the sunlight does not mean the vehicle has been adequately cleaned.
Cleaning the car means using soaps, techniques, and resources to help get beneath all of the dirt and filth that will layer onto the car. Many people believe that things like dish soap can be used as an effective way to clean a vehicle because it produces suds and can remove the top layer of grime. While something such as dish soap will clean your car well it will also strip any wax or sealant on the vehicle.
Make sure to be using the right tools for the job to clean your ride effectively.
Conclusion
Most people who hear these car detailing myths and pass them off to others probably don’t do it to cause problems for people, but it is important to look out for these so you know which “methods” to avoid.
When choosing to detail your car yourself, you can always consult with a detail shop to answer any of your questions so you can avoid making these mistakes. If we can be of any help to you, please give us a call at 814-230-6991!
