Why are you here?

[BlackSunshine]

Did you get into detailing through a love affair with a car, or do you really enjoy detailing regardless of what you're working on? Personally, I can honestly say that I am here first and foremost because I am a car guy through and through. Cool cars get my blood pumping, but clean cool cars make me giddy. If I didn't care about cars, and I looked at cars as merely a means of transportation from point A to point B, I would probably NOT be here, because I would probably NOT care if said car had swirls in the paint.

It all started for me in 1999, when I was a junior in highschool looking to upgrade from my 1998 Mustang GT to something faster. I got my 2000 Camaro SS in bright rally red in December of 1999, started reading up on the F-Body and LS1 forums, ran across some Zaino threads and got interested because I simply loved spending time with my car. Zaino gave me a reason to go out in the garage and bond with my car, and ever since seeing great results first hand, it has been a love affair split between cool cars and lots of detailing products to pamper those cars with.

How many of you are here because you love your car, and how many are here because you simply love the process of detailing, no matter what the medium is?

[natebood]

I've always enjoyed a clean car, but my past cars just weren't worth the trouble. I really got into it when I got my first "nice" car that I felt deserved the attention. Since then, the addiction hit hard, but not having a garage is disappointing.

I think I stumbled upon Autogeek first, then somehow ended up here.

[stogey420time]

^ +1 i love cars especially a CLEAN car
Thats why i'm here....read and learn from the pros.
The past cars wasn't mine (parents) but i'd wash/wax it as if it was mine.
Now that i have my own car...nothing changed but the weather!

[D3mon]

Back in '96-'97, I was competing in IASCA UK competitions. Part of the overall judging was the outerward appearance of the vehicle. That's when it all started for me...

[GearHead_1]

I too started this adventure as a junior in high school though I was a junior long before 1999. I started doing a ground up restore on a 70 Mach 1. It took me over 2 years to build and had over $7500 in the engine and $3000 in body and paint over 2 decades ago. I had a few friends to help me and did a lot of research on how to do this car up right. This car was built well even though it was my first attempt. It ended up with a first rate Imron (no you can figure out how old I am) paint job. That was arguably one of the best paints of its time.

By the time I had finished I had not only learned to build engines, 4 speed top loader transmissions and rear ends but learned the art of compounds and rotary polishers. I really wanted to be able to say I could do it all and quite frankly I couldn't afford to have some one do it for me, though I was only an assistant on the body and paint. This car not only won several local car shows but would turn low 11's in the thin air of Utah. All I had to do was bolt a pair of circle track slicks on it. It tipped the scales just over 3500 lbs. No tubs or tubed frame. I've had over a dozen Mach 1's, Shelby's and 1 Boss 429 since that time and most of these cars either rivaled or exceeded the quality of that first Mustang.

There have been a lot of changes since those days but some things haven't changed. These are a few of the things I've learned:
1 - It's a lot more fun having a fast car that looks good (sorry all you rat rodders).
2 - A decent paint job and good finish prep are 90% of what determines how the car ultimately looks. There is no substitue for being able to start with decent paint.
3 - The choice of LSP is a personal preference and many of the products will deliver outstanding results if the time is taken to prep the finish first.
4 - It's a lot of fun to take a fast Ford into the throngs of Chevy enthusiasts and come home a winner.
5 - Once you're hooked you're hooked for life.

[Dave KG]

Have always liked my own car to be spotless, and have spent the six years plus I've owned my own cars keeping them looking as best as I could... Was initally happy with results by hand using off-the-shelf products available in the UK, then the Meguiars product range landed on UK shores. Tried the products, and was amazed by the consumer range ones - then found the Megs Forum, and then from there its spiralled into finding the best car care products I can for my car, and also for working on friends and families cars too - so the PC was bought a while ago, recently got a Makita 9227. And have tried a great many products now from a whole host of manufacturers - the only range I haven't really tried out being Zymol. Will try them when I can afford to spend hundreds of £££ on a wax.

Not only do I find keeping my own car in tip-top conditon enjoyable, I also find detailing other cars theraputic - its enjoyable and relaxing to get rid of swilrs on paint and return it to its true colour and glory. And its nice to see the owners reactions when you hand them the keys and show 'em the results!

[G35_Coupe_6MT]

I've always been into cars, my father gave me a car when I was 2years old just cuz I looked at the comersial for it on the TV... unfortunatelly, my father doesnt like washing as normal ppl do. I still have and will have that car forever, but I always wanted to have my NEW 0mileage car to take care of and see how well I can keep her. Now that I got her, and think she is worth it, I detail her at least 3 times a month.

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Anything American Muscle is awesome. I love the fine European cars also. But Im a truck guy down to my heart. I recently purchased a low mileage Tacoma for a song and dance, due to business miles being accumulated on the Dodge Cuad Cab. Well I went and picked up my daughter tonight and just recycled the fluids in the Dodge for the short 2 mile run. I said to myself "Im keeping this"......Theres NOTHING like an american made V8 with a nice throaty exhaust system, riding on Bilsteins......!
P.S. How do I convince my wife I need both trucks??