12 Auto Products That Could Do Your Car More Harm Than Good
Last month, I grabbed a ‘miracle’ engine cleaner from my local auto shop, thinking I’d finally get that showroom shine back. Big mistake! The harsh chemicals stripped away protective coatings and left my engine more vulnerable than before.
Many popular automotive products promise amazing results, but can actually damage your vehicle in sneaky ways. Here’s my hard-earned wisdom on products that might be hurting rather than helping your beloved ride.
1. Dish Soap as Car Wash
Grab the dish soap for washing dishes, not your car! Unlike specialized car shampoos, dish detergents strip away protective wax and sealants that shield your paint.
The harsh degreasers that make your plates sparkle will leave your car’s finish dull and exposed to environmental damage. Your paint job will thank you for using proper automotive wash products instead.
2. Colored Tire Shine Products
Those flashy colored tire gels might look Instagram-worthy at first glance, but they’re a ticking time bomb for your rubber. Many contain petroleum distillates that crack and dry out tire sidewalls over time.
Even worse, they fling off while driving, spattering your paint and attracting road grime. Skip the rainbow tires and stick with quality silicone-based products that nourish rather than damage.
3. Automatic Car Washes with Brush Systems
Rolling through those spinning brush car washes might save time, but your paint pays the price! Those seemingly soft brushes collect grit and debris from every vehicle before yours.
When they whip across your finish, they’re essentially sandpaper on a stick. Microscopic scratches add up, creating that dreaded “swirl mark” effect.
Touchless washes or hand washing with microfiber are gentler alternatives for preserving your paint’s perfection.
4. DIY Dashboard Polishes
Vinegar and olive oil might work wonders in your kitchen, but keep these DIY concoctions away from your dashboard! Homemade mixtures can accelerate vinyl cracking and create dangerous glare.
Natural oils attract dust like magnets and can turn rancid in hot weather. Yuck! The money saved isn’t worth the sticky residue and potential damage to your interior surfaces.
5. Abrasive Chrome Polishes
Grandpa’s old-school chrome polish might have worked on his ’57 Chevy, but modern “chrome” is usually plastic with a metallic coating. Heavy-duty polishes contain abrasives that scratch through this delicate layer.
Once that protective coating is gone, the plastic underneath discolors rapidly. What started as a quick shine turns into permanent damage. For today’s vehicles, gentle microfiber and aluminum-safe products preserve those shiny accents much better.
6. Tire Dressings with Petroleum Distillates
Shiny tires catch the eye, but petroleum-based dressings are secretly aging your rubber. These products penetrate the tire’s protective compounds, breaking down the very materials designed to prevent cracking and blowouts.
Many tire manufacturers explicitly state these products void warranties. Water-based tire dressings might not last as long, but they won’t compromise your tire’s structural integrity either.
7. All-Purpose Cleaners on Leather
Spilled coffee on your leather seats? Resist grabbing that all-purpose cleaner! The harsh alkaline ingredients strip away essential oils that keep leather supple and crack-free.
What looks clean initially will quickly transform into dry, stiff material prone to splitting. Leather is skin and needs proper pH-balanced cleaners followed by conditioners.
Treat your leather like the luxury material it is, and your seats will reward you with years of additional life.
8. Engine Degreasers on Modern Engines
Blasting your engine bay with heavy-duty degreaser might give you that clean-enough-to-eat-off look, but modern engines are packed with sensitive electronics. Aggressive solvents seep into connectors and sensors, causing mysterious electrical gremlins down the road.
The money saved on professional cleaning disappears quickly when your check engine light comes on! Gentle, diluted cleaners and careful application around electrical components preserve both cleanliness and functionality.
9. Paint Sealants Applied Over Wax
Layering products doesn’t always mean better protection! Applying paint sealant over existing wax creates a chemical battle on your paint surface. The solvents in sealants break down wax, resulting in uneven protection and a blotchy finish.
This shortcut actually reduces overall protection instead of enhancing it. For best results, fully remove previous products before applying new ones. Proper surface preparation beats product stacking every time for that mirror-like finish.
10. Glass Cleaners with Ammonia
That blue window cleaner from your kitchen cabinet is a destroyer when it comes to cars. Ammonia-based products attack tint films, breaking down adhesives and causing bubbling or purple discoloration.
They’re equally destructive to dashboard screens and displays. The strong fumes can even damage leather and vinyl over time.
Automotive-specific glass cleaners are ammonia-free for good reason—they clean without the collateral damage to your car’s vulnerable surfaces.
11. Silicone-Heavy Protectants on Driving Surfaces
Ultra-shiny steering wheel? Dangerously slippery is more like it! Silicone-heavy protectants create a slick surface that reduces grip exactly where you need it most.
One emergency maneuver with slippery hands could end badly. These products also transfer to your hands and then to everything you touch.
Save the shine for non-contact surfaces and use specialized matte-finish products for steering wheels, pedals, and shift knobs where safety depends on good grip.
12. Clay Bars Without Proper Lubrication
Clay bars are fantastic for removing embedded contaminants, but using them dry or with inadequate lubrication is like dragging sandpaper across your paint. The clay grabs and pulls, creating nasty marring that requires professional correction.
Skimping on lubricant to save a few bucks can cost hundreds in paint repair. Always use abundant clay lubricant and replace your clay frequently when it drops or collects visible debris.