Top 10 Car Detailing Questions – Real Answers with Tested Solutions
Wondering what products actually work? What techniques detailers really use? These 10 questions come up constantly—and we tested the answers so you don’t waste time or money.
This is your ultimate reference for safer, faster, more effective detailing based on real-world results—not brand hype.
🔎 Question 1: Should You Use Dish Soap to Wash a Car?
Dish soap strips waxes, dries out trim, and leaves residue. It was never meant for car paint.
→ Full Answer: What Happens When You Use Dish Soap
💧 Question 2: Can You Wash a Car with Just Water?
Only if it’s very lightly dusty—and only if you don’t touch the paint. No soap = no lubricity = higher scratch risk.
→ Full Answer: Water-Only Washing Explained
🛞 Question 3: Is Tire Shine Bad for Your Tires?
Only the cheap ones. Water-based dressings like All Dressed Up are totally safe.
→ Full Answer: Which Tire Dressings to Avoid
🧼 Question 4: What’s the Best Ceramic Spray?
We tested dozens. Most fade fast. Tough As Shell delivered real protection, gloss, and ease of use.
→ Full Answer: Best Ceramic Spray Tested
🔬 Question 5: Is MAXL Really a Good Ceramic Coating?
Not in our tests. Looks good for a week, then fades. Read what really happened.
→ Full Answer: MAXL Unfiltered Review
🫧 Question 6: Which Foam Cannon Soap Is Actually Best?
We tested Griot’s, Adams, Chemical Guys, and Jimbo’s. Only one delivered thick foam + real cleaning at low cost.
→ Full Answer: Foam Cannon Soap Showdown
💨 Question 7: What’s the Best Way to Dry Your Car?
Blower + towel combo is safest and fastest. A high-quality towel matters more than most realize.
→ Full Answer: Towel vs Blower Test
🔧 Question 8: Do You Need Paint Correction Before Coating?
If your paint has swirls, yes. Otherwise, a light polish like Picture Perfect Polish still helps coating bond and finish better.
→ Full Answer: When Correction Is Necessary
🧼 Bonus: What’s the Best Way to Clean Interior Without Water Stains?
Avoid soaking. Use low-moisture cleaners like Complete Cabin Cleaner and blot, don’t wipe aggressively.
→ Full Answer: No-Stain Interior Cleaning
📚 Explore the Full Series
- → Dish Soap vs Real Soap
- → Water-Only Washes
- → Safe Tire Dressings
- → Best Ceramic Sprays
- → MAXL Reviewed
- → Foam Soap Showdown
- → Towel vs Blower
- → Coating Prep Questions
- → Interior Cleaning Without Damage
🛒 Best Products from the Answers Above
Proven in Testing. Trusted by Detailers.
All the products that came out on top are available right here:
Final Thoughts
The answers above were built off hundreds of tests, real product comparisons, and field-proven results—not sponsored fluff. Whether you're washing, drying, correcting, or coating—make decisions based on what works.
Stop guessing. Start detailing smarter.
