Avoid These 5 Car Detailing Mistakes for Better Results!
Washing your car seems simple, but small mistakes can ruin your finish or waste your effort.
In this guide, we’ll cover five common beginner detailing mistakes and show how to avoid them for a shiny finish.
Below are our top 5 mistakes to avoid!
MISTAKE #1 NOT FOLLOWING THE CHEMICAL – RINSE – CHEMICAL APPROACH
The chemical–rinse–chemical method is one of the safest car wash techniques for protecting your vehicle’s paint. This process starts by pre-spraying your car with snow foam or a rinseless wash solution and letting it dwell for a few minutes. After the foam loosens dirt and grime, you rinse it off and then apply a second layer of soap or rinseless solution. This final layer adds lubrication for the contact wash, helping your mitt glide safely across the surface for a swirl-free wash.
Following this car washing method is extremely important if you want to prevent scratches and protect your clear coat. The pre-spray works by breaking down, encapsulating, and lifting large dirt and grit particles before you touch the paint. Once rinsed, only a thin layer of traffic film remains, which is much safer to remove during the contact wash. This detailing approach is one of the best ways to reduce swirls, marring, and other damage while keeping your paint glossy.
A common beginner car detailing mistake is starting a wash with just a pressure washer or hose. Spraying water first can push large grit across the surface, creating scratches. By pre-spraying with foam or rinseless solution, you create a protective barrier around dirt, allowing it to rinse off safely. This simple technique is the foundation of a safe wash and ensures your car maintains a flawless finish.
MISTAKE #2 NOT USING A DRYING AID
One of the biggest mistakes beginner detailers make is not using a drying aid after a wash. This step is especially important when using traditional car soap. Since soap must be rinsed off completely, you are left with plain water on your paint. Water alone provides no lubrication, so going in with a drying towel right away risks scratching or marring your clear coat. A drying aid adds slickness and protection, making the drying process safer and more effective.
There are many drying aids available on the market, and you should stick with brands you know and trust. Most work the same way: simply spray a few mists onto a panel, then wipe with a microfiber drying towel. For darker colors, like black cars, you may need to flip to a clean side of the towel and buff off any streaks. Repeat this process around the entire vehicle for a streak-free finish and added gloss.
If you wash your car with a rinseless wash solution, you technically don’t need a drying aid. Rinseless washes are already highly lubricated and designed not to require rinsing at the end. At the end of the wash, you can dry directly without worrying about marring, since the rinseless solution itself acts as a lubricant.
You can also use a rinseless wash as a dedicated drying aid, even if you stick to traditional car soap. After rinsing, spray a diluted rinseless solution across each panel and wipe it down with your drying towel. This method gives you the safety and lubrication of a drying aid while letting you keep traditional soap as your main wash method.
MISTAKE #3 WASHING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT
Washing your car in direct sunlight often makes the process far more frustrating than it needs to be. When the sun is beating down on your vehicle, water and soap dry much faster on the paint. This means you’ll have to wash panel by panel while constantly reapplying water to prevent spots, streaks, and soap residue from drying on the surface. Not only does this slow down your wash, but even if you work quickly, you still greatly increase the chances of water spotting.
While rinseless washes are technically safer to use in direct sunlight, it’s still not ideal. Rinseless solutions are designed to work without rinsing, which helps reduce the risk of spotting or streaking when used in bright sun. However, best practice is always to wash your car in the shade. Even with rinseless wash products, working in cooler, shaded conditions makes the process smoother, safer, and more efficient.
If possible, wait until the sun goes down or move your car to a shady area before starting your wash. Another option is investing in a portable canopy, detailing tent, or large umbrella to create shade wherever you are. This simple adjustment prevents water spots, reduces stress, and helps you achieve a cleaner, streak-free result every time. By avoiding direct sunlight, you set yourself up for a safer and more professional-quality car wash.
MISTAKE #4 NOT WASHING NEW MICROFIBER TOWELS BEFORE USE
Many beginner detailers make the mistake of using microfiber towels straight out of the package. While they may look clean, brand-new towels often contain lint, loose fibers, or residues from manufacturing. Washing them first ensures they are safe, effective, and won’t leave streaks or scratches on your paint.
Pre-washing microfiber towels also improves absorbency and overall performance. Washing helps open up the fibers, allowing them to hold more water, dirt, or detailing products. This makes drying more efficient, glass cleaning streak-free, and polishing much easier.
The process is simple: wash towels separately from cotton laundry, use a mild detergent or microfiber-safe wash, and avoid fabric softener or bleach. Always air-dry or use the lowest heat setting to maintain softness and durability.
MISTAKE #5 USING TOO MUCH PRESSURE DURING THE CONTACT WASH
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is applying too much pressure with a wash mitt during the contact wash. While it may feel like scrubbing harder cleans better, heavy pressure actually grinds dirt and grit into the paint. This creates swirl marks, scratches, and marring that dull your car’s finish.
Car shampoos are formulated to provide lubrication so dirt can glide off safely. Pressing harder defeats this barrier and forces contaminants against the clear coat. If light pressure doesn’t remove stubborn spots, it usually means you need chemical decontamination or a clay bar—not more scrubbing.
The safest way to wash is to glide a microfiber wash mitt lightly over the surface using straight lines. Rinse the mitt often in a dedicated rinse bucket, and let the soap do the work. By using minimal pressure, you protect your clear coat and maintain a swirl-free, glossy finish.