Not All Detailers Are Created Equal
Not all detailers are created equal. While many take pride in their craft, bad detailers can leave behind more damage than shine. From swirl marks to sloppy coatings, here’s how to spot them, avoiding the cost of fixing someone else’s mess.
1. Skipping the Paint Depth Meter Before Polishing
A professional detailer usually measures your paint thickness before compounding or correcting. Skipping this crucial step can lead to a burnt clear coat or even sanding through to the primer—something that cannot be buffed out.
2. Bad Reviews, Consistent Complaints, and No Real Reputation
If the only five-star reviews a local detailer has are from their mom and three cousins…🚩
Before you book, read the reviews. Look for patterns—especially negative ones. Repeated complaints about poor polishing, customer service, or jobs not lasting are a warning sign. A few honest mistakes? Normal. A bad reputation? Run.
3. They Can’t Confidently Answer Your Questions
You don’t need to be a detailing expert—that’s our job. But you do deserve answers you can understand. If a detailer can’t explain what products they are using, how long the protection lasts, or what steps are involved in the process, that is a problem. You’re trusting someone with the finish of your vehicle—uncertainty or vague responses should be a red flag.
At Retro Detailing, we believe that education is part of the experience. Whether you’re new to car care or a seasoned enthusiast, we’ll make sure your questions are answered clearly, honestly, and with zero fluff.
4. Using High-Speed Polishers Without Skill
Buffer trails, holograms, or scorched paint edges are often the result of high-speed polishers in untrained hands. Anyone can rent a rotary polisher. That doesn’t mean they know how to use it safely.
If your paint looks worse after a “correction,” it wasn’t corrected; it was damaged.
5. Skipping Decontamination (TOUCH IT!)
If your detailer skips iron remover, doesn’t clay bar the surface, and jumps straight to polish—yikes. One simple test? Run your fingers over the paint. If it doesn’t feel like glass, it’s not prepped right. Polishing rough paint grinds contaminants into the surface.
6. Messy, Unprofessional Workspace
It doesn’t have to be a fancy shop, but it should be clean, organized, and professional. Tools lying on the ground, chemical spills, and unwashed towels are signs of sloppy work. A clean shop reflects clean results.
Even a home-based operation can be dialed in—look for detailers who take pride in their space.
7. Applying Protection on Dirty or Unprepped Paint
One of the biggest detailing scams out there? Some dealership “ceramic coating” packages aren’t real coatings at all. In most cases, they’re applying a cheap ceramic wax or topper to a vehicle that hasn’t even been properly washed, let alone decontaminated or polished.
That’s like painting over dirt. Sure, it might shine for a few days, but it won’t last, won’t bond, and won’t protect. Worse, it can actually trap contaminants in the clear coat, causing long-term damage or making future correction more difficult.
At Retro Detailing, we do it right. We decontaminate, correct, and carefully apply professional-grade ceramic coatings that are backed by manufacturer warranties, not sales scripts.
🏁 Don’t Get Burned. Book with Pros Who Do It Right.
Trusting bad detailers can cost you more in the long run. At Retro Detailing, we correct those mistakes with precision and care.
👉 Ready to avoid bad detailers for good? Book your detail with trained professionals today.
retrodetailing.com
Did You Know? Why Paint Thickness Matters More Than Ever
Modern vehicles often come from the factory with significantly thinner paint layers than their predecessors. This shift is driven by environmental regulations that limit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and manufacturers’ efforts to reduce vehicle weight for improved fuel efficiency. According to OCDCarCare, the average paint thickness has decreased from approximately 137.5 microns in 2002 to around 110 microns in 2022—a reduction of approximately 20%. Thinner paint layers mean there’s less material to work with during polishing and correction, increasing the risk of damaging the clear coat if not handled properly. This underscores the importance of selecting a detailer who understands these nuances and employs precise, meticulous techniques to preserve your vehicle’s finish.
Contact Retro Detailing
Retro Detailing offers professional ceramic coatings, auto detailing, window tinting, and paint protection film (PPF) services in Bowling Green, OH, and throughout Wood County.
📍 Address: 540 S. Maple St, Bowling Green, OH 43402
📞 Phone: (419) 819-4102
🖱️ Book Your Ceramic Coating, Window Tint, or Detailing Appointment Today: retrodetailing.com/book-now
We proudly serve Bowling Green, Perrysburg, and surrounding areas with expert car detailing services and paint protection solutions designed for Ohio drivers.
