If you’ve ever spent time around car owners or forums, you’ve probably heard all kinds of wild claims about car detailing.
As someone who lives and breathes this stuff daily, I can’t count how many times I’ve had to explain why certain “tips” or beliefs are just plain wrong.
It gets tiring having to repeat the same explanations over and over again. That’s why I decided to put together this article: a one-stop guide to the most common car detailing myths I continuously hear.
That way, not only can I point people here when these myths come up again, but I can also update the list as new nonsense appears.
Let’s break down these myths individually and get to the truth.
Myth #1: Car detailing isn’t worth the money
Detailing has definitely gotten more expensive, especially if you’re paying someone to do it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the money.
Anyone who says detailing isn’t valuable probably doesn’t understand what it actually does for a vehicle.
Related: 9 Reasons Why Car Detailing Is Important
It protects the paint, extends the life of both the interior and exterior, helps preserve resale value, and simply makes the car more enjoyable to drive.
And if paying a pro isn’t an option, you can always do it yourself. The products are out there, and with a bit of time and effort, you can handle most of it at home.
At the end of the day, if it really wasn’t worth it, people wouldn’t be spending thousands to keep their cars in top condition.
Myth #2: Polishing and compounding fix all scratches
A lot of people throw around the phrase “just polish it out” like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
But polishing isn’t magic. In fact, it’s one of the more technical parts of detailing. You need to know how thick the clear coat is, which is why paint depth gauges exist, and you need to have experience choosing the right pads, compounds, and machine settings.
Not all scratches can be fixed with polish. Some are too deep and go past the clear coat, meaning repainting is the only real solution. But because people oversimplify it, they think they’ll grab a polisher for the first time and make the car look brand new. It doesn’t work like that.
I’ve seen plenty of people try it themselves, only to end up calling a pro after realizing they didn’t fix anything, and in some cases, they even added more marring to the paint. That should tell you enough.
Myth #3: Car detailing products are just marketing gimmicks
I’ll be the first to admit that some detailing products are overpriced. That’s just how the market works.
But calling them “marketing gimmicks” is a huge stretch. Most quality products, especially from reputable brands, actually work and do exactly what they’re supposed to do.
Take Sonax Beast Wheel Cleaner, for example. It’s expensive, but it cleans wheels so well it’s almost ridiculous. It costs more, but it’s worth every cent.
Sure, there are probably too many variations of products out there — dozens of shampoos, dressings, sprays — I get that. It can feel overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean the products themselves are useless.
When used properly, they make a massive difference, and that’s something you just can’t fake with marketing.
Myth #4: Detailing a car is quick and easy
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard something like, “What’s so hard about cleaning a car?”
Most people picture some casual Sunday wash, a quick vacuum, and maybe spraying some air freshener. But proper detailing is a completely different story.
Being a detailer isn’t easy. You need to stay focused the entire time, making sure you’re getting the best results without damaging anything. You have to know your chemicals, avoid overusing strong products, and be precise with your tools.
And let’s not forget the physical side of it: crouching, kneeling, reaching into tight spots, even removing seats for deep cleaning.
This job isn’t just mentally demanding — it’s physically exhausting too. I mean, seriously, show me a full-time detailer who’s out of shape. I haven’t seen one yet.
Myth #5: Detailing is only worth it for newer cars
I actually wrote a full article recently on whether detailing is worth it for older vehicles, and the answer is yes. Sure, some people see it as subjective, but there are plenty of objective reasons why it makes sense.
And I’m not just talking about classic cars. Even something like a 2015 Suzuki Swift — not worth a fortune, not exactly new — still deserves to be appropriately maintained.
Just because a car is older or cheaper doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve care.
Of course, you might not spend the same amount detailing a 20-year-old daily driver as you would on a brand-new luxury car, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing at all.
In fact, some of the biggest transformations I’ve seen come from detailing older cars. There’s nothing better than seeing tired paint and a rough interior come back to life.
Myth #6: Wash mitts and drying towels are just fancy accessories
“Just grab a sponge” — I’ve heard that more times than I can count, especially from older folks who are used to scrubbing bird droppings or tree sap off the paint like they’re sanding wood. And of course, they end up scratching the paint in the process.
A lot of people still believe sponges and synthetic chamois are the best tools for washing and drying, mostly because that’s what’s still being pushed in supermarkets. They’re cheap to make and sell — that’s all there is to it.
I constantly find myself explaining why I use multiple wash mitts and several different drying towels. Once I break it down — how we’re trying to minimize every chance of scratching the paint — they usually get it.
In detailing, it’s all about using the right tools, and quality microfiber makes a huge difference.
Myth #7: Ceramic coatings are a scam
I’ll be honest — I thought the same thing the first time I heard about ceramic coatings. I mean, how could anything really beat a good wax or even a quality sealant?
But my opinion changed quickly, and that’s fine — people are allowed to change their minds.
What’s not fine is that even after all these years, and all the development ceramic coatings have gone through, there are still people who think it’s just a scam or a money grab.
The reality is: they work.
I’ve seen it first-hand, over and over again — especially with the newer generation ceramic coatings. They last incredibly long, they provide serious protection, and they give off a great gloss.
If you apply ceramic coatings properly, they’re absolutely worth the hype.
Myth #8: Automatic car washes are totally safe
This is another myth I mostly hear from older drivers — people who honestly didn’t care much if their paint got scratched.
And to be fair, paint back then was different. Cars came in all kinds of bold colors — blue, red, green — and they could hide imperfections better than today’s popular colors like black, white, or grey.
On black paint, especially, even the smallest defect shows up like a spotlight.
But the main point is this: traditional automatic car washes, especially the ones with brushes, are brutal on clear coat. In my opinion, they should be banned. Seriously.
Now, modern touchless washes are a different story — those are a great idea. In fact, if I had the chance, I’d love to open a few of them myself.
But the classic spinning-brush car washes? They’re a nightmare for your paint, and the swirl marks they leave behind don’t lie.
Myth #9: If it looks clean, it is clean
Just because your car looks clean doesn’t mean it actually is. Sure, on the outside, that might not always be a big deal—unless you run your hand over the paint and it feels like sandpaper (don’t get me started on that, bring out the clay bar).
But let’s focus on the interior, where cleanliness really matters for hygiene.
Take the steering wheel, for example. I’ve had people proudly tell me their wheel or leather seats are spotless — they even shine.
That’s when I laugh, because here’s the truth: when leather is shiny, it’s dirty. End of story.
And then I show them — I clean the wheel or seat properly, and the difference stuns them. Don’t even get me started on deep-cleaning fabric seats. People swear their seats are clean, and then I pull out a tank of extractor water that looks like it came out of a swamp.
Regular interior detailing isn’t just about looks. It’s about health, hygiene, and making your time in the car actually pleasant.
