Duel Autocare have been scouring the internet to find the top 10 detailing myths, and debunking them! We are sure you will recognise at least one, and maybe you are even falling into this trap yourself.

1) Can I use washing-up liquid to wash my car?

Technically, yes. Is it recommended? No. The same goes for any other form of shampoo that's not explicitly designed for cleaning your vehicle, like hair shampoo.

Most washing-up liquids are much more aggressive than a regular car shampoo and are packed full of degreasers and not so many lubricants, resulting in your car paint deteriorating. 

There are some key things that you need to keep in mind. One of the main factors is that washing up liquid and hair shampoos are not made to be used on car surfaces. Therefore, your results wouldn't be near as good as those of a dedicated car-washing shampoo like Bahama Blue. 

2) Is fallout remover a wheel cleaner?

Probably one of the most discussed and debated subjects in detailing. Is fallout remover a wheel cleaner? There is no simple answer. However, the official response would be no. Fallout removers are designed to remove iron contaminants from most, if not all, exterior surfaces, including wheels. It's important to note that a fallout remover shouldn't replace your traditional wheel cleaner, and they should be used in conjunction at intervals as one product doesn't do the job of the other and vice versa. Look at it this way, you wouldn't use hair shampoo as a body wash.

3) Should I use a sponge to wash my car?

Duel Autocare, is officially a sponge-free zone! Sponges, traditionally the big yellow style you could pick up from any motor spares or hardware store, were the go-to tool for washing your car. Not any longer. There are more effective and kinder to your paintwork options now available, like our Duel Microfibre Wash Mitt. These are made from plush microfibre material, allowing more suds to be transferred to the vehicle and any potential grime to be lifted off the surface and held deep in the pile of the mitt away from the paint surface.

If you couple this with the two-bucket wash method, you will achieve a much more efficient AND safer way of washing your car.

4) Can I wash my car in hot weather?

Of course, you can. However, you may be fighting a losing battle as any liquid products you apply to the car will dry before you have managed to put them to work, so it's certainly not advisable. Cleaning your car in nice weather is more enjoyable than during the cold winter months, that's for sure. However, we must choose the appropriate time. We recommend first thing in the morning or the evening when the sun isn't high and always in the shade.

5) Are chamois good for drying a car?

Traditionally, the chamois leather was the go-to product for drying a vehicle. You might remember your Dad or Grandad using one for the final wipe down after a Sunday afternoon car clean, and this is where they should have been left, in the past. Although absorbent, they are too harsh a material to use on your paintwork, and you need to use something soft and gentle like a microfibre towel (Duel Triple Twisted Loop Drying Towel).

They also require much more 'maintenance' than a microfibre drying towel as they are usually made from sheep or lambs skin, a completely natural material.

The microfibre drying towel option is much more absorbent and safer to use on delicate paintwork thanks to its plush construction and design. They are also much more absorbent than a chamois, so the finish achieved by a good quality microfibre drying towel is much more desirable, and no streaks will be left behind. With all of this in mind, the only choice for a car care enthusiast is a good quality microfibre drying towel.

6)Can a clay bar ruin my paintwork?

Ruin? No. Marring or inflicting imperfections, yes. Marring is an imperfection on the paint surface. Choosing the correct grade of clay for your paintwork is essential. This, coupled with thorough chemical decontamination beforehand, will ensure that any potential damage is significantly reduced. Light marring is to be expected, especially with soft paint, but it is nothing that can't be rectified with a machine polish and the appropriate pad and polish combination.

7) Does waxing your car remove swirl marks?

In short, no. Swirl marks can only really be removed via machine polishing. Very light swirls may be removed with a hand polish, but this would take a tremendous amount of work, and the results gained would not warrant the time and effort needed. Freshly applied wax may appear to have removed light swirl marks, but the wax has temporarily masked the swirls by filling them.

8) Do I need to dry my car after washing it?

If you want to avoid any potential water spotting issues and achieve the best finish to your paintwork and glass surfaces, then yes. If you leave your vehicle to air dry, you will be left with some residues, which can be left in the form of streaks, spots and deposits. This is especially true if you live in a hard water area where the water is high in dissolved minerals, predominantly calcium and magnesium. The Duel Triple Twisted Loop Drying Towel is perfect for this job.

9) Engine bay cleaning is not safe.

A common misconception is that you can't clean your engine bay using a pressure washer. Most newer cars have all these areas covered. However, it's always best to check, but there is no reason why a good thorough clean can't be undertaken under the hood! Of course, care will need to be taken in certain areas, including exposed air intakes, batteries etc. The best thing for this is to cover those areas with a plastic bag secured in place with some tape or similar. A spritz of a good degreaser such as Nitty Gritty and some detailing brushes to work in the product. Low pressure or light rinse from the pressure washer and some common sense are all that's required.

10) Air fresheners kill odours.

That is not true. Air fresheners are just that, to freshen the air. If you want to kill odours, then a dedicated odour or enzyme killer will be required. Air fresheners mask the smell for a time instead of killing the odour at the source. Some air fresheners last longer than others. We have the perfect range for you if you want a long-lasting, great-smelling air freshener. Check them out here.