Having less time to detail, I realize I was obsessive

JustinTRW · 10-24-02, 09:26

Lately the amount of time I've had to detail has been reduced substantially, but perhaps it is the best thing to happen to me. I was one of those "once a week" washers and was never pleased with the appearance of my car. Weekly I used q-tips to reach between body panel seams and would sometimes brake more softly to prevent more brake dust from accumulating. Did it help? Probably not. I did countless other things that occupied hours of the week, like using the CCD between outings.

My point is that I realized I was obsessed. Now that I can only wash the car every three weeks to one month, I am enjoying the car a lot more. The car still looks great before a wash, but afterwards my jaw drops. Weekly washes just never allowed me to forget what a shiny black car looks like. Sometimes I would regret getting black because of how hard it is to keep clean, but the truth is you can never keep it perfect. Now that I have "let go", I wouldn't hesitate to buy black again.

What am I babbling on about? Basically, I decided that it is okay if there are a few bug spots on my windshield, lol. I'm enjoying my car a lot more now not worrying about keeping it pristine 100% of the time. Am I moving away from Autopian ways? Heck no. I'm just trying to remind the obsessed that it is about the car itself, and detailing is just a means of enjoying it. Go drive a little!

KEVO · 10-24-02, 09:52

If you did not like once per week, then you REALLY would not like my routine. I clean just about every day in some way, not a full blown wash (the only time I have to wash my cars and trucks is if I have driven in the rain) but at least a California duster and some Zaino Z-6, freshen up the tires, and wipe off the brake dust from the billet wheels. If I am driving it, its gotta be clean unless of course it is raining and that is out of my control. This is not just a young person thing, I am 35 and I am pretty sure I will always be this way.

Zaino

HellrotCi · 10-25-02, 06:27

Quote:

Originally posted by KEVO
This is not just a young person thing, I am 35....

From my point of view and age, if a person is in their 30's, they're a young person.

Oh to be young again, wait a minute, I'm young at heart and mind. As far as I'm concerned, I'll always be young, no matter what the mirror tells me.

You're right though, I clean something on my car all the time, although I don't work anymore so I have plenty of time to devote to my obsession.

My neighbor's quote to a friend of his when asked what I do for a living, "He washes cars for a living and does computer programming on the side."

Isn't there a point where your obsessive behavior becomes normal and the term obsessive no longer applies?

AMP01 · 10-25-02, 07:40

I know it is an obsession, but what the heck! Everyone asks me, does your car ever get dirty? I tell them- no! Of course it does- but for the most part my Jet Black 740iL looks like this.

Do I feel great driving it, YES! Detailing can be therepy - zen like.

Keep on shinging!

Cheers,
My 740iL Site

Zealot · 10-25-02, 08:03

Quote:

Originally posted by KEVO
This is not just a young person thing, I am 35 and I am pretty sure I will always be this way.

Speak for yourself

I'll be thirty-frigging-seven next month! As the saying goes - you're as old as you feel.....or is it "you're as young as the girl you feel"?

AzN Retribution · 10-25-02, 08:35

I feel so young here at 18

Ktulu · 10-25-02, 08:59

Quote:

Originally posted by AzN Retribution
I feel so young here at 18

Hahaha, me too

F150BOB · 10-25-02, 10:15

I've actually been thinking of bringing some of my stuff to work so I can do a little work on the truck/car during my lunch hour! Try being 51 and learning all the good stuff here on this board.

You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Green Monster · 10-25-02, 11:42

I to believe Detailing is therepy. It very relaxing to me.

I have Ranger pick-up and I also get asked if it ever gets dirty. I know pick-ups are suppose to get dirty, right? Well it does but its cleaned asap. After all check out my plate.

This is what it looks like 99.9% of the time.

I have a garage at home and its covered just about everyday at work. Its not easy to keep it like this (did I say its relaxing?) but I find myself doing it all the time.

You can say its CARED-4.

PS- Yes it does do pick-up truck duties: moving friends/family, firewood, camping, hauling stuff, ect.

AMP01 · 10-25-02, 11:49

That is one Shiney Truck!!!

I enjoy seeing other people's cars and trucks shining away.

Personally, it makes me feel good to get out of a clean and shiney vehicle.

Keep up the Shining!

Cheers,
My 740iL Site

JustinTRW · 10-25-02, 12:34

Good comments everyone. I still enjoy detailing, but it was getting in the way of my enjoyment of the car. Now things are a little more balanced.

And yes, no matter what we might call obsessed, we still look crazy in the eyes of our neighbors.

Lowejackson · 10-25-02, 01:35

Clean cars are great, it is therpy to clean and maintain them. But they are cars and are meant to be driven.

Steven