A look back on the 10 years from well before I started professionally detailing to today.  When I produce content, the source of my work is not only from the observations of other people’s mistakes but my own errors.

Stained Glass

Stained glass from an all-purpose cleaner.  It was an easy fix for me, with some hand applied glass polish.  The product instructions on the label did not go into great detail where and how to be somewhat more cautious.  An all-purpose cleaner directly sprayed on glass in effort to remove excessive grime from a windshield, left some staining.  After I noticed the problem, through research I saw the disclaimer on the company website about not leaving a trace of the product on automotive glass for longer periods of time.  I learned over the years that this is not the only product that has more in depth instructions on different websites.  It is a reminder to you when you are using a detailing product to be mindful of not only the immediate effect a product has but also be mindful of excess dwell time and the surrounding areas.  This is also where I caution people to not try each and every product on a weekly basis and focus on the attributes for a select group of products.  This from experience is also important with Tar and Iron Removers.  There is something to be said about having certain products that you have a real understanding about how they work.

Humidity and SI02 Sealant

I did not close the garage door promptly enough during the evening, complicating the process of applying a more finicky SI02 Sealant.  This led to streaks across the paint.  Fixable but an embarrassing moment for me.  Granted it was one of the more challenging sealants to use at the time, it can be a great lesson for people who struggle with these products.  More humidity makes silica sealant applications much more difficult, similar to ceramic coatings.  If you are not familiar with these products, treat them with the same respect as a ceramic coating.  In fact, these kinds of products make for a great practice before using a real ceramic coating.  It is also important to know that not every silica sealant is a wipe on and wipe off type product.  Some spray sealants need time to set up and some may be exponentially more difficult to work in larger areas at a time.

Drill Brush Interior Error

It was a time very early on before I started a business, which I was not savvy about interior detailing.  But I am aware quite a few new detailers are in the same position I was in, being more advanced with exterior detailing from the start.  When I first started detailing I used speed setting 6 on a Porter Cable with a carpet attachment drill brush.  Part of the seat threading of a car interior came became loose.  I caution people to not keep the drill brush in the same place and dialing down the speed and perhaps density of the brush.  Put your focus on the appropriate cleaning product.

Battery Bloopers

Having the car not turned on periodically with one of the interior lights on for an all-day interior, led to a dead battery.  Recently I have heard about this from many detailers starting out.  It was a reminder of the little important things we are not told when we start detailing cars that are not our own.

Final Note

When someone puts their car in my hands or I am detailing my own car, my focus starts with safety.  I believe this foundation should be the starting point of any detailer.  I also believe it is important to acknowledge you are human.  Mistakes happen to the best of us, whether those people want to admit it or not.  Integrity, having a strong sense of self (self love), and learning from those mistakes, is what is really important.