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

**BigAl3** · 06-09-2005, 10:12 PM

so im curious.... what`s the worst mistake you`ve made while detailing and learned from it?

**bigben21** · 06-09-2005, 10:17 PM

castrol all purpose cleaner is some really strong stuff

**SpoiledMan** · 06-09-2005, 10:23 PM

More polish /= better polishing

**imported_Burlyq** · 06-09-2005, 10:25 PM

Tried to polish the black part of the window frame, you know the 3 inch strip you usually grab onto when opening a door. Anyhow, I thought I could do it with the rotary and ended up paying for a shop to repaint the strip. Genuis? Lol.

**colche** · 06-09-2005, 10:33 PM

taking so long to discover autopia!!!

(practically everything i did beforehand)

**TW85 HHI** · 06-09-2005, 10:38 PM

I discovered I should not use Meguiar`s PlastX on interior plastics as it tends to dull the plastic/leave a haze that even a quality plastic cleaner will not remove. I DID discover in the process that a Dremel with a felt tip can remove/reduce minor scratches in plastic as long as great care is used. One moment of loss of concentration and/or too much pressure and you melt the plastic.

**Scottwax** · 06-09-2005, 10:54 PM

Taking on details early on that I didn`t have the ability, products or techniques to bring to their full potential and not turning down cars that were beyond hope (like cars with laquer checking).

**Jeff_M** · 06-09-2005, 11:04 PM

On my first detail with a PC, I had polished until I was satisfied. After washing, I thought I felft some grittiness that the initial claying didn`t take care of. This time when I clayed, I was really agressive and didn`t use enough lubrication. Ended up marring my entire vehicle!

**SayNoToPistons** · 06-09-2005, 11:13 PM

forgot to close my neighbors Jetta`s windows when i was rinsing the car down before the wash. everything inside got wet, but it was sunny out so it dried fast. im waiting for more mistakes ot be done when my PC kit arrives tomorrow.

**chevyguy28** · 06-09-2005, 11:39 PM

1) The first time I ever waxed a car about five years ago, I bought a brand new can of Meguiar`s Cleaner/Wax. Applied it more thickly than an Autopian would and did the entire car before stopping to buff. It took a long time to get off, but it didn`t seem bad at the time because I hadn`t met products like P21S, UPP, Zaino, FMJ, etc. yet.

Still think there`s some white chalk on the car around the emblems to this day.

2) On a car I actually care about. Was changing the chrome Mercedes hood ornament to a flat badge. Over tightened the flat badge, and since they don`t make a rubber matt for it, etched a slight ring into the clear coat. Went back to the ornament after a while. Was able to polish most of it out, but you can still see a bit of it under 500w halogens.

**JamRWS6** · 06-09-2005, 11:59 PM

Starting to wetsand my hood with what I thought was 2000 grit.....only to find out it was actually 1000.

Countless hours using a rotary finally brought it back

**imported_animes2k** · 06-10-2005, 12:02 AM

I thought I`d be slick and REALLY clean my car out, so I removed the seats. Not a problem - 4 bolts - done it before a few times (and removed the passenger seat a number of times to transport cargo). Well, this last time I neglected to put the inside seat rail "back" and clipped the side of the car, RIGHT behind the door jamb. NOT a good place for a ding. One shop told me they wouldn`t touch it, another got it 99%. $100.

Also, Castrol APC is strong stuff.

I now own a respirator.

**BigAl3** · 06-10-2005, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by Scottwax

Taking on details early on that I didn`t have the ability, products or techniques to bring to their full potential

that`s what i`m afraid of. one can only afford so many detailing products....