I'm sure there are many practices that yield poor or damaging results in the art of detailing. Can some of you experts chime in and let us novices know some things to avoid doing when starting out? I know there are several detailers that have businesses and frequent this forum and give great advice. Because of some certain guys great instructional manual that's stickied here, I've recently spent about $250 on detailing supplies to get started (as have many others after reading that tutorial). I plan on starting a small detailing service in my free time and don't want to mess up someone's car by a mistake that is well known and should have been avoided. Help a newbie out! Thank You

From experience:

Do NOT use amonina based cleaners on paint
Do NOT use dishwashing soap to clean the car
Watch out for " carpet cleaning " sprays on interior trim pieces. They will stain even plastic.

I am not a detailer, but I LEARN the hard way. :(

Oh boy, where to start...

This isn't a list of dont's as much as general things to keep in mind.
Just off the top of my head:
1. Above all things, TAKE YOUR TIME. Especially when doing more major work like buffing your car.
2. Research before you decide to try new things out on your expensive vehicle.
3. Don't skimp on quality products (be careful not to pay too much for the name either).
4. Keeping it clean makes for much less work in the long run. I only spend 5 minutes a month cleaning my engine compartment (usually hosing it down and drying it off) because I stay on top of it. Same with door jams.
5. Don't put cleaner wax on top of regular wax. It will strip it off (unless that's what you are trying to do).

Seth

Don't reuse a piece of clay after you've dropped it on the ground. Throw it away and start over with a fresh piece.

Don't use an ammonia-based glass cleaner on tinted glass.

Don't use a California Car Duster on any painted surface that is warm or wet.

Don't use a squeegee or towel to dry any painted surface that isn't completely clean.

Don't let bird poop or tree sap stay on your paint for too long.

Don't get your wax/polish removal towels and applicators mixed up. Keep them segregated by purpose. Wash your wax removal towels separate from polish removal towels to avoid cross-contamination.

Don't get rubber protectant on your tire treads! :stickoutt

Don't get your wax/polish removal towels and applicators mixed up. Keep them segregated by purpose. Wash your wax removal towels separate from polish removal towels to avoid cross-contamination.
Please explain to me why this is important, especially if you're washing them.

I think the wax caked on gets into the applicator towels.

It can contaminate the other

It's OK if you want to strip wax :)

From experience:

Do NOT use dishwashing soap to clean the car

Most of the ones I know have already been stated. Just a few more.

1. Do not use any type of degreaser on or near dark paint or glass (409, super clean, etc)
2. Don't use acidic wheel cleaners on polished wheels (this is pretty old, most newer cleaners are safe for all wheels).
3. Don't use toothbrushes in crevices, the nylon bristles will leave small scratches. There are specialty brushes available.
4. Don't use armor all on steeringwheels, shift knobs or pedals...in fact I would just stay away from AA completely.

Thats all I can come up with right now.

Never wax a car in direct sunlinght or very humid day. Propably you already know this anyway.

Don't wax your moldings!

Do not use the same sponges, applicators and towels that you use on the rims on any other surface. Keep 'em separate. Just my .02 worth...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158378

I read this sticky and it helped me out a lot. It pretty much covers the basics of what you need to know to detail a car properly.

It's OK if you want to strip wax :)

In the thread thats parked it says that dishwashing soap doesn't remove the wax..

there are so many don'ts I don't have time to say them all.
2 Big ones: Anything that touches your car should be extremely clean.
and, never touch your car if it's dusty or dirty.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER spray wheel cleaner onto a warm wheel.

It is advisable to always spray the rim first to get excess crap off and then spray wheel cleaner on the rim

Oh and don't let the cleaner sit on the wheel for very long.

don't let a dealer or a shop wash your car

You can also find alot of websites dedicated to detaliling cars. I don't remember the address but it should be on the top list in search enginges.

When trying to fix a blemish in your paint use the least aggressive product first.

In the thread thats parked it says that dishwashing soap doesn't remove the wax..

Jesus H! Let's get this straight once and for all.

Dishsoap will not harm your paint
Dishsoap will not remove wax
Dishsoap WILL remove grease and oil from the surface.

Therefore it is a perfect cleanser to use before waxing your car. Oils will cause the wax to smear and not bond evenly. Use dishsoap to remove the oils from the surface of your vehicle to properly prepare the paint. The reason Zaino directs you to use it only before you apply their product the first time is because after the application of Zaino the paint should be sealed from the elements an no longer require the deep cleaning. However, like any product Zaino will eventually wear off. So if you wait a year to do another application of Zaino, you can go ahead and use dishwashing soap to prep the surface.

And to be absolutely clear... THERE IS NOT NOW, NOR HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF DISHSOAP HARMING YOUR PAINT.

Do not wash your car with a pushbroom. :eyecrazy

Jesus H! Let's get this straight once and for all.

Dishsoap will not harm your paint
Dishsoap will not remove wax
Dishsoap WILL remove grease and oil from the surface.

Therefore it is a perfect cleanser to use before waxing your car. Oils will cause the wax to smear and not bond evenly. Use dishsoap to remove the oils from the surface of your vehicle to properly prepare the paint. The reason Zaino directs you to use it only before you apply their product the first time is because after the application of Zaino the paint should be sealed from the elements an no longer require the deep cleaning. However, like any product Zaino will eventually wear off. So if you wait a year to do another application of Zaino, you can go ahead and use dishwashing soap to prep the surface.

And to be absolutely clear... THERE IS NOT NOW, NOR HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF DISHSOAP HARMING YOUR PAINT.
dishsoap will not do anything that is productive, in fact, the surfectants that are used in dishsoap are so strong that they take off wax unevenly, but not completely. If you are going to wait a year between zaino coats, you should clay the surface to get rid of all the wax and the rest of the contaiminants on the paint.

dishsoap will not do anything that is productive, in fact, the surfectants that are used in dishsoap are so strong that they take off wax unevenly, but not completely. If you are going to wait a year between zaino coats, you should clay the surface to get rid of all the wax and the rest of the contaiminants on the paint.

Uh, removing oils is productive last I checked. If it was useless, then Zaino wouldn't recommend using it now would they. It's a soap, it cleans. I think cleaning is productive, no? :rolleyes

You should clay between coats of any wax or sealant if the surface requires it, regardless of the elapsed time.

there are more places that I have heard that don't recommend it, than actually recommend using it. It's a strong surfectant that strips a good caranuba wax unvevenly off. A good wax is made of fats and oils, both of which are attacked by dish soap. Car wash soap is more pH balanced in order to preserve the integrity of whatever wax you already have on, unless you wax everytime you wash.

http://www.autogeek.net/exterior.html

Don't buy cheap products like turtle wax etc.

Try new detailing products on your mother's car before you try it on yours. Haha true story

Try new detailing products on your mother's car before you try it on yours. Haha true story

So true. I use my old truck as a practice sheet.

Try new detailing products on your mother's car before you try it on yours. Haha true story


Yea, they think that you're just being nice cleaning their car for them. :rofl

Do not use Lugier's patented New Zealand method of debadging.

Good info, thanks.