/*! elementor – v3.18.0 – 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} 10 tips that will save you from destroying your car. Plus tools and products that will help you detail your car safely. /*! elementor – v3.18.0 – 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(–spacer-size)}.e-con{–container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(–container-widget-width,var(–spacer-size));–align-self:var(–container-widget-align-self,initial);–flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(–container-widget-height,var(–spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px} 1. NEVER use Dish Soap to Clean your car. /*! elementor – v3.18.0 – 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} A Novice car washer might opt to use dish soap to wash their car. “Hey, it cleans my dishes pretty darn well. So there’s no way it won’t clean my car!” While that is a fair line of reasoning we are here to stop you right there. While dish soap effectively cuts through grease on dishes, it’s not suitable for your car’s finish. Dish soap is often way too harsh for automotive paint and can strip away protective wax layers and in some extreme cases, your paints clear coat! This leaves your vehicle vulnerable to environmental contaminants, UV rays, and other elements that can dull the paint and contribute to quicker wear and tear. Leaving your paint looking dull. Opt for a pH-balanced car wash shampoo designed specifically for automotive surfaces to maintain your car’s shine and protection. Some of our favorites are Meguiars’ Gold Class or Adam’s Polishes Car Shampoo. These can be found at Major Retailers such as Walmart or AutoZone Dish soap should also never be used on interiors. Interiors are often coated with thin oil layers that protect and maintain your interior. Everything from plastics to leather can be harmed by dish soaps’ harsh properties. Without this layer, the sun will leave your interior looking faded and dull only after a few years. It is best to go for a Dedicated Interior Cleaner or a mild citrus Degreaser we recommend P&S Xpress Interior or 3D Orange Degreaser 2. Don’t Skip The Pre-rinse. Ever wonder how your cars paint got those tiny little scratches on the paint? Those come from grit and improper washing methods. Neglecting to rinse your car thoroughly before washing is a critical oversight. Rinsing helps remove loose dirt and debris that can scratch the paint during the wash. Causing your paint to go from looking shiny and beautiful to dull and unappealing. Imagine washing a sandy surface – the grit can act like abrasive sandpaper, causing swirls and scratches. A pre-rinse is a simple yet effective step in preventing unnecessary damage. You wouldn’t run sandpaper across your paint would you? So why Skip the Pre-rinse? Take the time to hose down your car, focusing on areas where dirt accumulates, such as the lower panels and wheel wells. This preliminary rinse sets the stage for a safer and more effective washing process, preserving the integrity of your vehicle’s paintwork. You can use a Rinseless Wash as a prewash to loosen up dirt and grit on your vehicle. A great choice is Optimum No Rinse! For many, it is already too late to prevent micro-scratches like in the picture listed above. No need to worry! Many detailers offer Paint Corrections and Polishing to fix the damage that has been done and revitalize your paint. Check out our Paint Correction Service to learn more on how it’s done! 3. Don’t Neglect cleaning your wheels. Overlooking the cleanliness of your wheels is a common mistake that can lead to both aesthetic and functional issues. Brake dust, a byproduct of brake pad wear, accumulates on wheels and, if left untreated, can cause long-term damage to the finish. Brake dust is not just unsightly; it contains metal particles that, when exposed to heat and moisture, can become corrosive. This corrosion can eat into the wheel’s coating and even penetrate the metal, resulting in pitting and permanent damage. Regular wheel cleaning is essential to prevent this buildup. Use a designated wheel cleaner that is safe for your wheel’s finish, as some formulations are tailored for specific materials like alloy, chrome, or painted wheels. We recommend P&S Brake Buster A soft brush or wheel-cleaning tool can help reach intricate areas. Neglecting wheel maintenance not only impacts the appearance of your car but also jeopardizes the longevity and structural integrity of your wheels. By incorporating wheel cleaning into your detailing routine, you ensure a comprehensive and protective approach to maintaining your vehicle’s overall aesthetic appeal and functionality. 4.Don’t Detail in direct sunlight Detailing your car in direct sunlight may seem convenient. After all there’s nothing quite like feeling that refreshing water on your skin on a hot day! However direct sunlight poses risks to the effectiveness of the products used and the overall finish. Sunlight causes products like wax, sealant, or detailing sprays to dry too quickly, leaving behind streaks, uneven coverage, and residues. Moreover, water spots become a significant concern. When water droplets containing minerals are left on the surface and exposed to direct sunlight, they evaporate, leaving behind these minerals known as Water Spots. These spots can etch into the paint or glass, becoming more challenging to remove over time. To avoid these issues, choose a shaded or indoor area for detailing. This not only allows for proper application and drying of products but also minimizes the risk of water spots. Patience in finding the right conditions for detailing ensures a smoother application process and a more polished, spot-free finish for your vehicle. If your vehicle has water spots, don’t worry! There are multiple methods to remove spots from your vehicle! The best and most reliable way to remove Water Spots is to give your car a polish! Check out our polishing process to learn more on how its done! Another Method is to use a Quick Detail spray or a Water Spot remover spray. Adams Polishes makes the best sprays! 5.Use the 2 Bucket Wash Method The two-bucket wash method is a popular and effective technique in car detailing that aims to minimize the risk of swirls and scratches during the washing process. It involves using two separate buckets –