Car Washing Mistakes: What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Car

Most swirl marks, dull paint and faded trim aren't caused by age. They're caused by washing. The good news is that the biggest mistakes are easy to avoid once you know them. Here's what not to do when detailing or cleaning your car.

What not to do when detailing a car

Don't use dish soap, household sponges or brushes, and don't wash in direct sun or on hot panels. Don't use one bucket for the whole car, scrub in circles, or dry with a bath towel or squeegee. Inside, avoid household cleaners and glossy dressings on the steering wheel and pedals. Each of these scratches, stains or strips the protection off your car.

Washing mistakes that damage paint

• Using dish soap. It strips wax and sealant and dries out rubber. Use a pH-neutral car wash.
• Using one bucket. The grit you take off the car goes back into the water and onto the paint. Use one bucket for soapy water and one for rinsing the mitt.
• Using a sponge or brush. Sponges trap grit against the paint. A microfibre mitt pulls it away from the surface.
• Washing in direct sun. Soap and water dry on hot panels and leave spots and streaks that can etch into the clear coat.
• Doing the wheels last. Brake dust is abrasive. Clean the wheels first with separate tools so it doesn't end up in your wash mitt.
• Scrubbing in circles. Circular scrubbing creates swirl marks. Wash in straight lines with light pressure.
• Dropping the mitt and carrying on. If it hits the ground, rinse it thoroughly or swap to a clean one.
• Drying with a chamois, squeegee or old towel. These drag any missed grit across the paint. Use a clean, soft microfibre drying towel.
• Using brush car washes. The brushes clean hundreds of dirty cars a day and are a major cause of swirl marks, especially on dark paint.

Interior cleaning mistakes

• Household cleaners with bleach or ammonia. They can fade plastics, dry out leather and damage window tint.
• Too much water on seats and carpets. If it isn't extracted, it soaks into the foam and can cause smells and mould.
• Shiny dressing on the steering wheel, gear knob and pedals. It makes them slippery.
• Air freshener instead of cleaning. Smells come from something in the car. Remove the source and the smell goes with it.

Mistakes between washes

• Leaving bird droppings and tree sap. In Sydney's summer sun they can etch the clear coat within days. Soften them with water and lift them off gently as soon as you can.
• Wiping a dusty car with a dry cloth. The dust acts like sandpaper on the paint.
• Waiting too long between washes. Built-up grime needs more scrubbing, and more scrubbing means more scratches.

Why shouldn't you wash your car at night?

Washing at night won't hurt your paint, but it's hard to do a good job. In poor light you miss dirt and can't see if you're creating scratches, and overnight dew can leave water spots on a car that hasn't been fully dried. The best time to wash is early morning or late afternoon in the shade, when the panels are cool and there's plenty of light.

Want it done properly?

Our exterior detailing uses the two-bucket method, a pH-neutral wash and clean microfibre, and finishes with a ceramic sealant. If your paint already has swirl marks, paint correction can remove them. If your car is ceramic coated, see our aftercare guide.

Common questions

Is it bad to wash your car in the sun?

Yes, if the panels are hot. Water and soap dry too quickly and leave spots and streaks. Wash in the shade, or early or late in the day.

How often should I wash my car?

Every one to two weeks for a daily driver, or sooner if it's covered in bird droppings, sap or salt.

Do automatic car washes damage paint?

Brush car washes are a common cause of swirl marks. Touchless washes are gentler, but their strong chemicals can wear down wax and sealants faster.

Is it OK to use household glass cleaner on my car?

Avoid cleaners with ammonia, especially if your windows are tinted, as ammonia can damage tint film. Use a car glass cleaner instead.