WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CARE OF MY CAR?
When it comes to keeping your car looking its best, there’s no shortage of advice online, at meets, or from friends. The problem is that much of this “advice” is outdated or simply wrong.
From the idea that dish soap is safe for washing cars to the belief that automatic washes don’t damage paint, myths cause harm. Many car owners also think wax lasts for years, clay bars remove scratches, or ceramic coatings make vehicles completely scratch-proof.
In reality, falling for these misconceptions can leave your paint swirled, your protection weakened, and your detailing efforts wasted.
In this article, we’ll break down 10 common detailing myths, explain why they mislead, and give you the real facts.
Below are 10 of our top picks!
MYTH #1: DISH SOAP IS SAFE FOR WASHING CARS
Quite the opposite. This product should be kept where it belongs… the kitchen.
Dish soap is designed for kitchen grease removal, so it often contains surfactants, salts, and additives that don’t fully rinse away from automotive paint. When used on a car:
- It can leave behind a hazy film or residue on the clear coat.
- This film can make the surface look dull instead of glossy.
- Over time, it may interfere with how waxes, sealants, or ceramic coatings bond to the paint.
- On glass, it can also leave streaks or smears that affect visibility.
A proper pH-balanced car shampoo is made to rinse clean without residue, which is why it’s the safe choice.
MYTH #2 YOU CAN APPLY A CERAMIC COATING ON TOP OF A WAX OR VICE VERSA
Wrong!
Let’s talk about the first and most damaging mistake—applying ceramic coating on top of wax. As mentioned in our ceramic coating tutorial, you must completely clean and strip the paint before applying the coating. This is because ceramic coatings chemically bond to the paint’s surface.
Wax, being a sacrificial layer, creates a barrier between the coating and the paint. If the coating is applied on top of wax, it cannot bond properly. This drastically reduces its longevity and effectiveness. You might find that your coating peels, flakes, or wears away much sooner than expected.
What about a wax on top of an existing ceramic coating? While not as damaging, it is still not recommended. Why?
First, it is redundant. Ceramic coatings already offer an ultra-hard, protective layer that shields your paint from UV rays and contaminants. Wax is unnecessary when a ceramic coating is properly applied. It’s like putting a raincoat over a waterproof jacket — redundant and often counterproductive.
Secondly, wax can reduce hydrophobic properties. One of the main reasons people choose ceramic coatings is for the water-beading effect. Applying wax on top can actually interfere with this property. Waxes can fill in microscopic pores on the coating’s surface, reducing water sheeting and beading, which defeats one of the primary benefits of a ceramic coating.
Lastly, wax can lead to contamination and streaking. Wax is a softer product and can attract dirt, dust, and oils. When applied on top of a ceramic coating, it can create streaks and uneven gloss, especially if not buffed correctly. Over time, wax can also build up, making it difficult to maintain the coating’s pristine appearance.
MYTH #3 WAX LASTS FOR MONTHS
Unfortunately, this is false. Your typical Carnuba wax will not last more than a few weeks, maybe a month, depending on environmental conditions. Waxes are designed as a temporary protective layer for your car’s paint, and their short lifespan is largely due to their composition.
Most carnauba and synthetic waxes are made of soft, easily degradable oils and resins that shield paint from UV rays, contaminants, and light scratches. However, exposure to sun, rain, car washes, and environmental pollutants quickly wears them down, often within just a few weeks. Unlike ceramic coatings, waxes do not chemically bond to the paint. They gradually break down and wash away, requiring regular reapplication to maintain their shine and protection.
MYTH #4 MICROFIBER TOWELS DO NOT NEED ANY SPECIAL CARE WHEN WASHING
You guessed it… FALSE!
Knowing how to wash microfiber towels correctly is essential if you want them to last and perform at their best during car detailing.
Microfiber towels should always be washed separately from regular laundry to prevent lint transfer and damage from cotton fibers. Use a dedicated microfiber detergent or a mild, liquid, fragrance-free detergent—never fabric softeners or bleach, as they clog the fibers and reduce absorbency.
Wash in warm water (not hot) to release dirt, wax, and detailing chemicals without melting the delicate fibers.
For drying, use the lowest heat setting or air-dry, since high heat can ruin the softness and structure of the towel.
By following these microfiber care tips, your detailing towels will stay plush, absorbent, and safe for swirl-free, scratch-free results.
MYTH #5 SURFACE PREP IS OPTIONAL BEFORE APPLYING A CERAMIC COATING
Definitely not!
Proper surface preparation is the most important step before applying a ceramic coating to your vehicle.
Without the right prep, even the best ceramic coating will fail to bond correctly to the paint. Contaminants such as dirt, tar, iron particles, old wax, and polishing oils create a barrier that prevents the coating from adhering to the clear coat. This can lead to streaks, reduced durability, and premature failure.
In addition to chemical decontamination, paint correction is often necessary to remove swirls, scratches, and oxidation. Because ceramic coatings are semi-permanent, they will lock in whatever condition your paint is in—good or bad. By properly washing, claying, decontaminating, and polishing your car’s paint, you ensure maximum adhesion, stunning gloss, and long-lasting ceramic protection.
Check out our in-depth tutorial HERE!
MYTH #6 IT’S OKAY TO SKIP CLAYING BEFORE PAINT CORRECTION
This is a big no-no and could seriously damage your paint!
Using a clay bar before paint correction is a crucial step in professional car detailing. Even after a thorough wash, your vehicle’s paint often holds onto bonded contaminants like tree sap, tar, rail dust, and industrial fallout. If you skip the claying process and go straight to polishing, these particles can get caught in your polishing pad, causing scratches, swirl marks, and uneven correction.
A clay bar safely removes embedded contaminants, leaving the surface smooth and clean so your polish or compound can work directly on the clear coat. This not only improves the efficiency of your paint correction but also ensures a flawless, swirl-free finish. In short, claying is the foundation of proper paint decontamination and the key to achieving professional-level results with any paint correction.
Check out our in-depth paint decontamination tutorial HERE!
MYTH #7 YOU CAN USE ANY CAR SOAP YOU WANT WHEN PREPARING TO INSTALL A CERAMIC COATING
Nope! When preparing your car for a ceramic coating, not all car soaps are safe to use.
All-in-one car shampoos and waxes leave behind a thin film of wax as well as some oils or polymers. These can prevent the ceramic coating from properly bonding to your paint. Even SiO₂-infused shampoos can leave a thin protective layer, which reduces coating adhesion and longevity.
For the best results in ceramic coating prep, use a pH-neutral, residue-free car shampoo specifically designed to remove contaminants and leave NO form of protection behind. This will ensure your coating lasts longer and performs at its best.
MYTH #8 IT’S OKAY TO LET MY CAR AIR-DRY ONCE I FINISH WASHING
For the majority of car owners, the answer is NO! There is one small exception, however.
Letting your car air-dry after washing may seem convenient, but it’s one of the fastest ways to ruin your paint. Why is this? Most tap water is relatively hard, meaning it contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. As it evaporates, it leaves behind minerals and contaminants that create water spots, which can etch into your clear coat over time.
Luckily, water spots can usually be removed if they are treated within a week or two. However, if they are left for longer—especially in hot climates—these spots can etch deeper into your car’s clear coat. Once this happens, they become much harder to remove and may require a dedicated water spot remover spray, a paint decontamination treatment, or, in severe cases, machine polishing.
For optimal paint protection and a flawless finish, it’s best to dry your car with a microfiber towel or a blow dryer immediately after washing. Following this simple car washing tip helps maintain a smooth, glossy surface and prevents costly paint correction down the line.
So what is the exception?
A de-ionizing (DI) water system.
If you have a de-ionizing water system as part of your car washing setup, it is technically safe to let your car air-dry after washing. A
DI water system removes minerals and impurities from tap water, leaving behind ultra-pure water that won’t leave spots or streaks on your paint. This means you can skip towels or drying tools without worrying about water spots forming. Using a DI water system is especially useful for car enthusiasts and detailers who want a spotless finish with minimal effort, making air-drying a convenient and safe option.
MYTH #9 IT’S SAFE TO CLAY BAR MY VEHICLE OFTEN
While clay bars are a powerful tool for removing embedded contaminants from your car’s paint, using them too frequently can actually damage your clear coat. Over-claying can create tiny scratches and marring because the abrasive action of the clay removes more than just surface contaminants—it can also disturb the paint itself.
If you overuse a clay bar, you may notice fine swirl marks and micro-scratches appearing across your paint, which will later require correction through polishing or paint correction. For car enthusiasts and DIY detailers, it’s important to clay only when necessary and to follow proper lubrication techniques to maintain a smooth, flawless finish without introducing swirl marks or damage.
MYTH #10 NOT POLISHING AFTER CLAYING YOUR CAR
After clay barring, polishing your car is a crucial step for achieving a smooth, flawless finish.
While a clay bar effectively removes embedded contaminants like dirt, iron particles, and pollution, it can leave behind fine micro-marring or tiny swirl marks in your paint. Polishing after claying corrects these imperfections, restores gloss, and enhances the clarity of your paint.
For DIY detailers and car enthusiasts, skipping this step can result in a dull, uneven finish and make it difficult for waxes, sealants, or ceramic coatings to properly bond. By incorporating a post-clay polishing step, you ensure your paint is fully prepped, smooth, and ready for long-lasting protection, maximizing both appearance and durability.