I've been detailing cars for years and I see the same mistakes over and over from people just getting started. Here's the shortlist:

1. Using dish soap to wash your car. It strips wax, dries out trim, and leaves your paint unprotected. Use a pH-neutral car wash shampoo — it's like $10 and lasts months.

2. Wiping with a dry towel. Dragging dust and dirt across dry paint = scratches. Always use a damp microfiber or a quick detailer as lubricant.

3. Washing in direct sunlight. Water and soap dry too fast, leaving water spots baked into the clear coat. Wash in shade or early morning.

4. Skipping the clay bar. If your paint feels rough after washing, it's contaminated. A clay bar takes 20 minutes and makes your paint glass-smooth before waxing.

5. Going straight to compound. Most people don't need aggressive correction. Start with a polish, see if that's enough, and only step up to compound if you have deep scratches.

Master these basics and you're already ahead of 90% of people washing their cars.

I break down techniques like these every week inside The Detail Lab — from wash fundamentals to full paint correction workflows. If you're serious about learning this craft, come join us.