what`s the worst mistake you`ve made while detailing?

**imported_themightytimmah** · 06-28-2005, 09:51 PM

Got touchup paint from NAPA, what the guy suggusted. Sprayed it on. Waited for it to dry. Looked on bottle, it was the wrong color.

**Tasty** · 06-29-2005, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by waxnbuff

i did my mother-in-law`s toyota for the first time. car is 4 years old and never had a proper auto detail. it took about 3 hours to do it. it looked gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!my last step was the tires. and thats it. as i was shaking the NXT, my mom in law offers me a cold 25 oz. Labatt Ice. its 85 degrees outside. so i start shaking the labatts vigorously. not thinking what i was doing, i pop open the tab as i`m pointing the can at her car.....................................

:har: Hopefully you proceeded to chug what was left in the can.

**imported_JellyBean** · 06-29-2005, 08:34 AM

I accidentally discovered that Mr. Clean`s Magic Eraser actually erased some paint off my dashboard. I now rather live with the scuff marks.

**Reynar** · 06-29-2005, 08:42 AM

Closed the hood on a PT Cruser without putting down the prop stick

cost me $300 to get the hood repainted

**BlackCivic** · 09-16-2005, 02:39 AM

I was using a QD and I droppped my mf on the driveway, picked it back up and wiped nice little white swirls into my newly purchased black car. Looked down to find out the mf had picked up a 5" long twig. 3 years later and the scratch is still there.

(not for much longer though, now that I have Autopia.)

**foxtrapper** · 09-16-2005, 02:53 AM

At first I was agoing to say attempting to use a rotary buffer. I`ve only done it once, and proceeded to burn paint off on the high spots. Thank god it was my car and not someone elses.

But then I remembered washing a filthy vehicle down with citricolve. Took the paint right off. And that was a customers vehicle. "Oops" wasn`t adequate.

**White95Max** · 09-16-2005, 05:17 AM

BlackCivic - Don`t use MFs after they fall on the ground! Those tiny fibers pick up all kinds of crap from the ground.

**Louie** · 09-16-2005, 10:47 AM

Tomorrow I`m fixing a friend`s car. His mistake was using the cheap (red tub- Turtle Wax?) rubbing compund from K-mart to remove some minor branch scratches from backing down a driveway in his month old dark blue Huyandai (sp?). There are ugly swirls from headlight to tail light about 12 - 18" wide...

**Sveta** · 09-16-2005, 10:54 AM

Not pre-washing a new micro fiber bonnet before using VM and it on a "perfect" finish.

**imported_rfinkle2** · 09-16-2005, 11:05 AM

A few years ago, I quick detailed my car (@ the time) with a paper towel. Thank god it was silver.

**daystrom** · 09-16-2005, 01:28 PM

Way back when I had a black Geo Storm GSi. I touched up a paint chip with touch up paint and then tried to level it off with Meguiars #2. I rubbed it so hard that I took the clear coat off a 2" sq. area. Ouch.

**D Tailor** · 10-18-2005, 07:35 PM

Thinking all I needed was one of those "Exterior Kits" to perfectly detail my car. I now get Autogeek shipments nearly everyday!!

**OGauge4Me** · 10-19-2005, 08:12 AM

Using a clay bar over the badge on a Jeep Cherokee. Did you know that the badges have a cellophane covering that makes the badge shiny? I do now!

**imported_Luster** · 10-19-2005, 08:40 AM

Using a California Water Blade......... uh-ohhhh....

One little dirt particle = long deep scratch.

**mbcoops** · 10-19-2005, 06:00 PM

Autoglym Engine Degreaser is strong, just ask my engine bay. Sprayed everything down, let it work in, got rid of the dirt, hosed it all off, started wiping, WOOPS there goes the paint on all of the metal parts.

It is hideously ugly now.

mb