What are the risks of detailing? (Plus how to avoid them!)

You may think it's easy work, but improper detailing techniques can lead to risks and damage to your paintwork and other areas of the vehicle. It's important to be aware of these risks so you can avoid them and practice safe cleaning! From well-known risks like detailing in hot weather, to things you may not consider like dilution errors and hazards, familiarise yourself with our list below.

1. Detailing in the sun

One of the biggest risks to detailing is the sun. You might know that you should never clean in direct sunshine and you should never apply products to a hot panel, but you might not know why. 

You are almost guaranteed to leave behind unsightly water spots if cleaning under the sun, not to mention the increased risk of damage. Heat speeds up the drying time of chemicals, soap, and water causing streaks and leaving behind residue which can potentially damage paintwork. 

2. Letting chemicals dry on the surface

In addition to the above, allowing cleaning products to air dry prevents them from doing their job. Snow foams, pre-cleaners, and shampoos are all designed to lift contaminants from the surface so that they can be rinsed away for a scratch-free wash. When these products are left to dry naturally, they can etch into paintwork and cause staining.

Always keep your vehicle wet throughout the wash process until you're ready to dry. Your work time will vary depending on the weather - in warm weather, liquids will evaporate quicker and you may have to act faster to remove them before they dry. If you have the means, drying under a canopy or structure can help.

3. Using a sponge and chamois

Using the old sponge and leather shammy method gives you every chance to put scratches and swirls in your paintwork. Ditch them and get a wool or microfibre wash mitt and a dedicated drying towel to help eradicate scratching when washing the car. 

If you like the traditional sponge method, either because of the shape or the foam material, try using a wash pad instead of a mitt. Get the feel of a sponge without damaging your vehicle!

4. Scratches from clothing and accessories

Zips, buttons, belts, watches, and rings, all pose a threat to paintwork. Try not to wear clothing with a zipper or large buttons as you can scratch the surface when leaning over panels. You could consider wearing an apron or overalls to prevent clothing from catching.

You should also remove jewellery before detailing to avoid minor dents and scratches from accidental contact. Gloves can help and should always be worn when handling chemicals.

5. Dropping wash mitts and cloths

You've got your hands full, you're leaning over to pick up your wash bucket, and you drop your cloth or mitt. Butter fingers, we've all been there. One of the biggest mistakes we've witnessed people make is picking it back up and continuing to use it! 😭

It only takes one grain of grit to get stuck in the fibres and cause serious damage to your vehicle's surface. Do not use your dropped cloth or mitt again until you've put it through a wash cycle using CARPRO MFX or Malco Microfiber Refresh.

Try using an organiser that clips onto the side of your bucket to hold your wash mitt and brushes during the job. Our Handy Seat with 3-Drawer Storage is also a great solution for storing accessories, products, and tools, preventing you from dropping them between use.

6. Dropping clay

The rule for dropping clay bars is different. Essentially, drop it - bin it! The sticky surface of your clay is designed to pick up grime and dirt particles that may remain on your vehicle surface. Therefore you can imagine the abrasive particles it will collect from the floor! Using a dropped clay bar on your paint would be equivalent to rubbing sandpaper over it. 

Avoid the scratches and damage by binning your clay bar and starting anew. We recommend breaking off pieces of clay for use so you have more of the bar to work with if you drop some.

7. Watch out for hoses and cords

Dragging hoses and cords across your bonnet or other surfaces can cause scratches and other damage to paintwork. This is where cordless polishers come in handy and we highly recommend, especially for mobile detailers, individuals, and enthusiasts.

Detail Guardz Hose Guides are incredibly useful to help guide cords and hoses around the vehicle and to stop them from catching on wheels. Simply place on the outside corner of each tyre and allow the roller to guide your hose smoothly around your car.

8. Cleaning wheels and tyres last

Wheels and tyres are generally the dirtiest areas of your car. Cleaning these last risks grime, brake dust, road salt, and other dirt from splashing onto your freshly cleaned paintwork. 

Always clean wheels and tyres first with an appropriate wheel cleaner and designated tyre cleaner for thorough cleaning. Clean and dry the rest of your vehicle before applying a tyre dressing.

9. Using the pressure washer too close

Cleaning with your pressure washer too close to your car risks damaging paintwork and delicate areas such as trim and seals. You should maintain a safe distance of around 1-2 feet and use a flat jet nozzle or wide angle setting. When cleaning fragile areas, be aware of your distance and power and adjust accordingly. Try to keep the lance moving and avoid staying on one area continuously for too long.

You can always test the power of your jet by spraying on the ground before coming into contact with the vehicle. That way, you can adjust your distance per job.

10. Over- and under- diluting chemicals

Dilution ratios require precise measuring and differ per chemical. Over-diluting creates a watery, weak solution that will struggle to remove dirt, grime, and heavy contaminants. Under-diluting will result in a concentrated solution that may cause damage to surfaces, leave behind residues, and can also cause irritation to skin. 

To guarantee the correct dilution and ensure your solution is effective, safe, and cost-efficient, try using a measuring cup and our mixing ratio stickers.

If you have any additions you believe we should add to this, let us know! You can contact us via social or email marketing@slimsdetailing.co.uk.