I have mastered the art of creating more scratches than I correct when detailing.

TL;DW 1) Protect your skin/hands 2) Clay bar won't remove scratches, don't need to always use clay bar 3) Don't use all purpose cleaners on interior 4) Keep wax/sealer off trim 5) Keep vacuum hose off fabric 6) Don't use dish soap 7) Wash towels properly 8) Avoid direct sunlight when washing car 9) Don't dry-wipe paint 10) Clean your wheels first 11) Don't use a duster on paint

this is why i keep my trucks rusty. everything you do scratches your paint so i save myself time and hassle by letting oxides simply remove the body panels for me to let me know when its time to replace things.

I'm 74 and my first car was a 63 VW. I was so proud of that car that I compounded it every weekend. After looking back almost 60 years, the one I enjoyed the most was a beat up, rusty Chevy 4 x 4 truck. I never washed it and never cleaned it out. That vehicle gave me more emotional pleasure than any other that I've owned and I did the least maintenance on it. Wished I had it back.

As a detailer of 15 years I wish so much I could show others this without offending them because it seems like common sense but it clearly isn’t! Great tips!😊

Larry.Youre certainly the Dr of detailing and I love all the knowledge you pass on. Thing is I cannot resist stroking my car once its been polished, sealed and waxed, its soooo nice lol

You caught me Larry. I'm guilty of three mistakes I didn't even know I was making. You just educated me, thank you.

So many times I see videos like this that go over the same old "tips that have been covered hundreds of times. You actually mentioned a few that I've not heard of before and added some good input to the others. As always, production is top notch!

Wow bro. You are on a different level. You really know your stuff. I’m always learning from your videos. Thanks Keep up the good work.

Watching this in 2020 envious of the nitrile gloves

This guy!!! I love his passion and knowledge, I have no interest in cars, This guy makes me interested in cars, I learn so much from him and I only came across his videos because I wanted to clean my leather couch! An hour later my husband is asking me, you still watching these car videos? I'm like yeah...did you know? And spouting off all the stuff I've learnt. You're amazing.

This guy is a detailing god. He doesn’t waste time and gives great advice. If I can be 1/10 the detailer, I would be the best in the area. I learn so much that I wish I could go back to my first car and start all over again.

I can’t wait for the day when someone invents something stronger than clear-coat.

People think clay REMOVES scratches? Who are these people?

Another great quick video. I truly consider AMMO NYC to be the standard for all others to be measured against. If I ever hear info that raises a question mark, I come here to find an answer and trust that the methods learned here are going to steer me in the proper direction. I have not been let down yet. Great website. Great tutorials. Great videos with instruction and pictures. The perfect place to come for professional detailers as well as for the beginner or after a long winter where you may have forgotten something. Keep the great "instructionals" coming. Tens of thousands of us depend on your info to keep our rides looking amazing!

Thanks for pointing out the reasons WHY to avoid these mistakes. I hate when people regurgitate the rules without being reasonably aware of the logic behind it

How to wash microfiber was a great tip. I just detailed my car and Happy to say I hit most of these

Remember guys, if you aren't willing to drink it, don't put soap on your skin. Make sure your hand soap is consumable

I usually only clay on the first clean of the year, after the winter. I clayed just this weekend gone.

Clothes. You missed clothes. I don't trust a detailer who wears a watch, or a top that zips up, or any jewelry.

Wow, I’m so impressed with your work and obsession with detail. I am guilty of about 10% of the things you did and thought I was a perfectionist. Great job

Ive always washed wheels last. Thank you!! Most think im too uptight for how i expect my car/things to be cared for. Lots of "donts" but quality deserves proper attention, imo. Im subbing :)

I have been using a duster for years it def has its place in the detail world... I use it after I’m done compounding a vehicle I use the duster to remove all the dust before removing the compound to prevent getting it all over the place or even Potential scratching

When I buff a car, I always put the cord over my shoulder when doing a hood or roof so the cord doesn't rub against the side of car.

Larry you are the Master, I'm detailing my convertible GT Mustang with your vídeos and it's getting beautiful thank you!

Great video.. much has ben learned here- Thank you. However, you neglected to mention the removal of jewelry (i.e., watches, rings, etc.). Belt buckles are also a huge no-no.

Wow, I'm impressed. The only thing on this list that applied to me was "wash the wheels first, not last." I found that out a month ago and haven't looked back. Honestly, you sometimes have to question your deep seated routines. Good video!

Just found out you were a trader before getting into detailing. My hat is off to you. Way to follow your dreams! This proves if you love what you do, you will be successful.

I'm late but he said keep *APC* out of the interior. . What is best to use?- a dedicated VLR or carpet shampoo?

I just got some hydrate, cant wait to try it out. Larry has good stuff. Thank you for your training vids, to share your knowledge in a free online training is a class act. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Just sold 1999 A6..black..everyone thought it was new....paint was still perfect.. Love keeping cars pretty...i will subscribe to this channel

Those black Mamba gloves are the truth Larry. After watching you use them all the time I ordered a box on amazon. I detailed my car in 40 degree weather with no sun out. My hands never got wet or cold, gloves didnt tear either.

Great video. Good tips for weekend warriors and professional detailers. I work at a used car lot in Florida. After a full detail/process, my cars are cleaned daily. We have construction going on close by that us creating a ton of fine dust. 30 cars, get a daily bath. It's hard work, but worth it when I see one drive out of here shining in the sun.

I find a simple pencil eraser takes overshot wax/polish off the black plastics

when I first buy a car with a neglected washing history I use dish soap first like you said to strip all the previous wax etc. Straight after it gets foamed and washed with proper car shampoo. Then the detailing starts but first seeing what actions of cleaning/paint correction are needed. I have learned lot's especially techniques and the way you hold things

You got my into cleaning my car. The precise, clear info you provide is just a staircase of knowledge for me. Thank you.

View the vehicle before you QUOTE any Price ! take a look around and all over it FIRST ! then decide what it requires to get it right. How much time, how much product etc. then define the customers requirements and budget ! or ( budget expectations ) package a deal to suit the customer. not your ability or skills . Always stand on your price. never back down ALWAYS WALK AWAY leaving them with your price or someone elses quote and say ok let them do the job.

I have seen people at gas stations washing their ENTIRE vehicles with the blue fluid squegy

Thanks for another great video, Larry. You, Forensic Detailing, and Junkman have taught me a ton! Highly recommend Forensic's video investigation of scenarios in which clay induces marring.

another top microfibre/towel tip - don't use any fabric softner when you wash, the towels become less absorbent if you do

You’re the LinusTechTips of detailing, just a lot more professional lmao, keep up the good work ❤️

I love how everyone in the comments is suddenly a detailing expert.

I love these videos, every day is a school day and the reality is that if you said a few of these mistakes to someone that has no clue about detailing, they would laugh in your face and think you're bonkers!

Living in CA, we are very water restricted. I only do one water wash a year, during my annual beautification process for my true beauty queen (Tesla Model S). All others are waterless. It's a BIG challenge. I actually do use a CA car duster and have never had a problem. I will say that I replace them very often and I use the absolutely lightest touch I can to capture the dust. Even after a rain I will use it when the car is dry and I have been able to carefully remove the abrasives. Not easy, I can tell you. I was terribly stressed at first. But I found a way to make it work. I do have a nano coating on it, which helps provide some resistance to scratching. If you are going to use a duster, you absolutely need to know what you are doing. Period. Thank you Larry on your fantastic vids. I have learned so much from you!!!

Also when your washing and drying your microfiber towels, no fabric softeners!

I have a question How do i properly dust off my car? You know, when its been sitting there for a day and dust accumulates making ur view through the windshield slightly distorted

I like the hockey sticks leaning against the locker.

Doing wheels first or last has been a question worthy of debate since the first car wash? Good video. BUT what you failed to mention is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. IF you clean your wheels first and DON'T use a separate (second) bucket of soapy water for the rest of your vehicle, then you MUST discard what's in your bucket, which is now a mixture of brake dust, road dirt, oily road grim, and GRIT from your wheels and tires, and possibly even brake fluid if you have a wheel cylinder or caliper leaking). If using only one bucket to wash your car and you do your wheels first, then you MUST dump that nasty water, thoroughly clean and rinse your bucket and then refill with fresh soapy water.

Hey I was wondering if you could do a glass scratch repair video

I've found the best way to dry the car is a CLEAN leaf blower.

Best detailing tip I learned from this! Buy a brand new car, have it fully wrapped at the dealership with super plush micro fiber towels! Have car delivered to your home, very very gently push it into a super clean garage, and after gently removing micro fiber towels, never ever drive it! Keep garage airtight, so no bug could ever crawl on car, persey ever scratch it!

You are very knowledgeable. I agree with almost everything you teach. I have to point out a potential problem. You shouldn't always do wheels first. Some detailers will do them last to let the bakes on a recently driven car cool down. Only in a hurry should this be done

So you're saying I can't just use a scotchbrite pad and go to town on my paintwork?

Damn those car cleaning/detailing products are even more than my wife’s face cleaners/masks/makeup etc

Very useful and informative video. Will wash my wheels first from now on. Occasionally washed my black car in hot weather. Total nightmare. Car always full of streaks. It's great to live and learn.

All great tips - many I've learned through experience, but some I didn't know. Way to keep me on my toes. Keep up the vids. I always check in and learn something new.

Gays I have a question my brother has a polishing shop He first wash the car with water and shampoo that has a WAX percentage and then he continues with the normal polishing steps. My question is. Is it right to wash the car with a shampoo that has wax in it before polishing?

Good morning Larry. So no chamis, no silicone squeegees or beach towels. How about a video on the best way to dry a car?

I'm in the car clenaning trade 3.09s i've used AutoGlym Ultra Gloss on my 2002 Yaris door mirror plastics and it came out brilliant! It really gets it back to black and shiny so no problem there at all.I'm a car valeter for some 20yrs and i do understand about plastics and polishing/waxing.APC on interior is SO TRUE! In the trade we had cheap TRF (Traffic film remover) and used it on EVERYTHING incl leather,seats and so on.It really does ruin the cloth seats and carpets i tell you.The leather is ok it's just i rubbed off excess TFR with a warm flunky/chamois properly otherwise it gets sticky n horrible.

I've always used dawn every 3 months on my personal ride when I wash when I plan to do a full detail and apply a nice ceramic or wax coat and I always wash with dawn before and after a cut n buff

Hey Larry great video. I wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for the tip of using left over “wash solution/soapy water” when claying. Such a simple yet over looked idea. I saved about half a bottle of detail spray. And I don’t wear gloves whilst washing the body of the car because I really enjoy feeling the soap and contours of my car panels between the mit and my bare hand. Sounds strange I know.... I am strange! Loving this series! Keep it up.

Eyyy we got the same hockey stick Larry ;) CCM Super Tacks

A water blade does not scratch a properly washed vehicle. A high quality synthetic chamois is my go to for drying. Dry one panel at a time, wring out the chamois and return it to a bucket of warm water, then follow up on each panel with a quality microfiber. Drying your vehicle in shade or in your garage is optional.

He said no dusters but offered no alternative, if you live anywhere with wind, say goodbye to your black paint as the wind turns it brown!

Why dont u use a chamois to dry the car?

As a hobbyist, I can't agree with the gloves. I find the sense of 'touch' to be one of the most useful tools when detailing.

All good comments especially not washing the car in sunlight and doing the wheels first. I see people doing both all the time and I just shake my head.

Nice Video Larry. It would be nice to see a video on what you do to keep yourself in condition. I'"m sure your hands and muscles go thru tremendous aches and pains.

Great tip on using gloves. I'm not sold on the black ones, though. Seems like lighter-colored ones would be easier to see possible contaminants on, so that you can avoid transferring them onto the surface. Thoughts?

No APC for the interiors? What should we use then for the dash board and trim? Most people I know use APC for 80% of the interior.

Hey Larr, I’m a weekend worrior kicking it up a notch. And have learned so much watching your clips . I live in N NJ and would like to take your Detailing class someday. Hope to meet you someday. All the best Jim .

I love claybars, i dont use em every time i wash my Jeeps but man when you do use them, its unbelievable how well they remove dirt and stuff that simply washing doesnt. My 98 Grand Cherokee wasnt washed for a year.. and sadly the year prior i washed it maybe 1 time, and it started to ruin the paint. It had black mold and green algae growing it. Washing it by hand only got some of the stuff off, but a clay bar made the clear coat so clean my fingers were squeeking when running accross the paint. I also have a 89 Grand Wagoneer, and when doing grinding and rust repair i accidently got small pellets of metal on the hood.. I didnt know this and when the next few days of morning dew started rusting them on my hood i freaked. I washed and washed and the multi color rust spots wouldnt come off. I used a clay bar and elbow grease and ALL of em came off.

Will wax schampoo make the plastic details fade?

hi you refered to not use chamois to dry . why ?

good tip about dealing with chemicals

I think the point here is that this video is about detailing. I guess the average driver when giving the car a wash at weekends won't bother with all of this. Although there are some great warnings in here which are definitely good to learn, like dry wiping, dirty hoses dragged through cars, using general cleaners on the interior, some of these will be too much trouble for the guy on a Sunday afternoon with a jet wash, bucket and bottle of supermarket carwash. Thanks anyhow good video...

I don’t drink soap but I put it on my skin. I also don’t drink lotion. Lol

Wax and sealants on black trim.....magic eraser misted with water gets rid of the white residue.

You guys are thorough. Learned some major stuff here

Very insightful video....thanks

"If you wouldn't drink it, don't put it on your skin" Either hes implying he drinks lotion, or my dude has the dryest skin in the land.

I now shower with gloves

I definitely agree that wiping with no lubrication will cause scratching. And it’s bad for your car too

I didn’t know I shouldn’t use a shammy or a car duster. And I thought I knew what I was doing!

Ouch... thats very controversial about the dishsoap. Haters gonna hate, trolls gonna troll 😆

hey Larry I cant find wheel Gelee on your website, are you no longer selling it?

Loads of information..I've been thinking about startin up and your videos have been a massive help👍

This is really informative. I didn't know there was so much for detailing.

I put soap on my skin and I don’t drink that

Whoever gave this video a thumbs done you better not use that discount code

It’s staggering watching people clean cars and seeing how many actually use a 2/3 bucket method compared to the one. Out of the 15 houses in my street I must have I formed atleast 12 of them about a 2 bucket method now no one on my street uses 1 bucket. My next door neighbour pays me to clean their car every time I do mine after seeing the difference after we wash them, they saw me use a proper water fed brush on a work van once then the next day I saw them using a garden brush on theirs, they sold that car a week later and bought a new one and asked me to clean it since hahaha

I like nano pads more than clay, i only use it for prepping for paint protection or buffing and polishing

One guy have been so excited that he accidentally hit the thumbs down button!

There’s so Manny videos out there on how to wash you car, do this, don’t do that, might damage your paint if you do this! Just get two buckets one with water one with hot water and a wax which suits your car... and a car mitten and a microfibre towel!! Sorted, the rest is a load of shit!!!

Learned so much from you!! Great page man!!

Honest straightforward advice Thank you

You don’t need gloves to detail a car.. NERD hahaha!

I give up. This is all a ridiculous waste of time. I am going to intentionally park my car beneath a flock of seagulls that just ate gas station sushi and call it art if anyone is curious enough to ask. If you had studied this hard in school you would be able to pay some guy who makes carwash videos to wash your car for you...

I use apc on my floor Matts and there are perfectly fine

The point about not using APC (Alkaline pH) inside the car was something I didn't know. So this video was worth it for that alone! Thanks Larry!