Friday, December 12, 2025

Car Cleaner Solution 101 - Top Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Cars

Every car owner wants their car to look pristine and sparkling, but they make common car cleaning errors that make it difficult to leave the car looking showroom-ready after a cleaning session. You might be making them too if you haven’t achieved a sparkling car even after thoroughly cleaning it. These simple mistakes not only make your car look old or worn-out, but they can also cause serious, long-term damage to the interior body, the metal paintwork, and lead to your car losing its market value. You keep your car spick and span, not just for aesthetics but also to preserve its value.  Improper cleaning methods can leave swirl marks, dull your auto paint, leave sticky residues, and cause your upholstery to degrade, due to mistakes ranging from using the wrong Car Cleaner Solution to the wrong cleaning techniques or supplies. Although doing your own car cleaning might be satisfying to you, many car owners make blunders that result in long-term damage. 

Read this blog to steer clear of these mistakes during DIY car cleaning to keep your car in top condition. 

Using Non-Auto Cleaning Products

Avoid using harsh cleaners since they can dry out plastic and rubber trim, harm the clear coat, and peel wax. Also, avoid glass cleaners that include ammonia because they might damage the window tints. For cleaning the exterior and car wheels, always use pH-neutral cleansers made specifically for cars. 

Washing Your Car in Direct Sunlight

We know you might like taking your car out on your lawn or driveway while giving it a good wash, but it’s absolutely inadvisable according to car experts. The heat of the sun reduces the effectiveness of cleaning products, and also washing your car under the sun leads to rapid drying of water and soap, leaving stubborn water spots, streaks, and a hazy finish on the car.  Always wash your car in the shade, preferably while the temperature is cooler outside.  

Skipping the Pre-Wash Rinse

You might be asking, you're already giving your car a wash, what's the need for a pre-rinse? Well, when scrubbing your car, dry dirt, dust, and coarse grit behave like sandpaper and leave swirl patterns and scratches on the metal body. To lower the risk of scratches, you should always start your car cleaning session with a thorough pre-rinse from top to bottom to loosen and wash away dirt and dust that can harm your car’s metal bodywork. 

Using Too Much Wax or Polish

Overuse of the after-wash products, such as wax, polish, or dressing, sometimes results in ugly product sling on the paint, foggy residue, and sticky surfaces that cause dust to stick to your car’s exterior. When applying car waxes or polishes, always apply thin, even coats, buffing away excess right away. For dressings, put a small amount on an applicator pad and wipe evenly to give your car a just off the showroom look. 

Using Dirty Cleaning Supplies 

If you use unclean cleaning tools and supplies, your car paint will be scratched by brushes that are either embedded with dirt or contain abrasive fibers. Use clean, good-quality microfiber towels and wash mitts every time you’re cleaning your car, even if you’re giving it a quick wiped own. Also, always use specialized car cleaning brushes for wheels and soft brushes for interiors, if you can. And, make sure that all of your car washing supplies are kept well-maintained. 

Although washing your car can appear straightforward and easy, it's one of those jobs where a few simple mistakes can do more harm to your vehicle. Avoid these mistakes to keep your car looking good for years to come when you DIY car cleaning. If you want to add that just-detailed and years of shine to your car, you can ask the experts at Superior Exotics Color and Paint.

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