The 5 most common mistakes in car paint care

Many car owners and car care enthusiasts approach car care with enthusiasm, but even the best intentions can lead to unintended consequences. In this article, we present the five most common mistakes that can sabotage your efforts.

“A bucket and dish soap are enough!” – fortunately, this mindset is becoming a thing of the past among car owners. Nevertheless, anyone can still make mistakes, and some of them are surprisingly simple! Here are 5 basic oversights:

1. You wash your car too infrequently

You might be using the best wax in the world (obviously Fusso Coat, right?) – but if you neglect regular washing between applications, don’t count on lasting shine and protection. Road grime, dust, acid rain, and bird droppings won’t wait – they attack your paint every day. Even just rinsing a protected car regularly makes a big difference!

• Regular washing is the foundation for maintaining your wax in good condition.
• Even the best wax won't protect against neglect.
• Dirt accumulating on the paint can cause micro-scratches and accelerate the degradation of protection.

2. You apply too thick a layer of wax

This is one of the most common mistakes, especially among beginners. Many believe that “more wax means better protection” – nothing could be further from the truth! A thick layer of wax is harder to buff off, often leaves unsightly marks, and doesn’t improve protection – it just wastes your valuable product.

• The thinner and more even the layer, the easier the buffing and better the result.
• Excess wax can cause streaks that are hard to remove.
• A thick layer does not increase the durability of the coating.

3. You skip paint decontamination

Paint may look clean after a regular wash, but in reality, it can still be covered with microscopic tar particles or metallic residue. Without removing these, wax or coatings won’t adhere properly and their effectiveness will be limited. Chemical and mechanical decontamination is an essential step before protecting your paint.

• Decontamination, like claying or using Iron Terminator, helps achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
• Protection adheres better and lasts longer on deeply cleaned, degreased paintwork.
• Regularly removing stubborn contamination prevents etching and more serious paint damage.

4. You use the wrong accessories

Even the best wax won’t perform at its best if you use a dirty microfiber or a regular sponge. At Soft99, we include a high-quality applicator with every wax, but for buffing, it’s worth having an equally good microfiber – soft, lint-free, with delicate edges. Choose the same type of cloths when applying quick detailers.

• Microfiber matters – choose those with high GSM (grams per square meter).
• Avoid cloths with sharp edges and poor-quality stitching.
• The right accessories mean less risk of scratches and streaks.

5. You choose cheap, low-quality products

Trying new products is part of the fun of detailing, but it’s wise to stick with trusted brands. Cheap products often have poor formulations, may be aggressive on your paint, or simply fail to live up to the manufacturer’s promises. Soft99 products, for example, are certified by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) – the strictest chemical product standards in the world. No wonder we’ve been cleaning cars for 70 years!

• Look for quality certifications and country of origin.
• It’s better to use fewer, but more effective products.
• Soft99 means safety and proven results – from Japanese experts, for your car.

Avoid these five basic mistakes and your car will always look like it just came from professional detailing. And if you’ve landed here looking for tried-and-true solutions – reach for Soft99 products and feel the difference for yourself.