8 Reasons To Detail Your Ride (Hidden Giveaway)

[4u2nvinmtl]

As many people have already posted the first thing that came to my mind (therapy, relaxation, Zen-like state). I`d have to say "Patience", "Dedication" and "Appreciation".

3.) Builds Patience, Dedication, and Appreciation

Patience and dedication are important traits needed to succeed in the world at large. Detailing is a great way to improve and build your patience and dedication. Whether it`s a maintenance wash or a concourse level detail patience and dedication are two key skills sets that will be exercised when detailing.

I started off detailing expecting to be rid of my orange peel within a few hours of "buffing", but trough patience and dedication I learned about the various ways to rid my paint of the excessive orange peel. After spending 100`s of hours sanding, compounding, polishing, and coating my paint to perfection I`ve started glimpse what quality paint correction detailing is all about. It`s defiantly an exercise in patience and dedication. It was only then that I could truly appreciate the immense amount of dedication each detailer has for this art.

The art of detailing is an exercise of patience, dedication, and then appreciation.



P.S. after reading everyone`s responses I feel that this is one of the most uplifting threads I`ve read in a long time. It`s a great concept and the quality replies are a reflection of just how great this community is (were all winners already in my book).

[RaysWay]

We really enjoyed reading all the entries so far. Paul and I were struggling to think of another reason, but you guys took care of that

I`m looking forward to announcing the mystery prizes

[donbeezy]

drum roll?!?

[ShakingHorizons]

P.S. after reading everyone`s responses I feel that this is one of the most uplifting threads I`ve read in a long time. It`s a great concept and the quality replies are a reflection of just how great this community is (were all winners already in my book).

VERY well said!!!!

[RaysWay]

drum roll?!?

I have the end date for this giveaway set for July 4th.

[Old Pirate]

Sure, detailing your own ride is a great way to save some cash while keeping your ride in showroom shape - but most Autopians I talk to agree there`s a lot more to it than that. Check out our 8 reasons why detailing is not only good for your ride, but good for your soul.



Now that`s a term all of us are familiar with. Most of us have had the hard lesson of passing off a job or service to someone else, only to be left with two things...a receipt and regret. That`s why at Autopia we`ve built our business on making the best tools, products and knowledge available to the masses.

While I was organizing my tools for an upcoming detail, I started thinking about why exactly I was looking forward to washing a car. Although I`m an admitted super-optimist, I don`t normally get in a better mood when I have to do something considered by most to be "work".

Here are my 8 reasons why it`s great to detail your own ride.

1.) Retain Your Vehicles Value

For many of us, our vehicle is one of the biggest monetary investments we`ll make. Whether you purchased a vehicle to simply get from point A to point B, or went over-budget to purchase that special ride; chances are you spent a good chunk of change on it. Regular car detailing can keep the value of your ride high. So if you ever decide to sell or trade your car, you can not only expect a higher demand; but a higher return on your investment.

We all love seeing those rides that are getting harder and harder to find - in great condition. Those rides didn`t just magically take care of themselves, it was a labor of love from a dedicated owner. Even entry-level cars can reap the benefits of regular maintenance.



2.) It`s Rewarding In Many Ways

Sometimes it`s a nod at a red light, sometimes it`s another trophy for the trophy shelf, sometimes it`s just keeping that reputation for being that person who always keeps their stuff in perfect condition. Whatever your reason, a lot of us feel a sense of accomplishing for keeping our rides in tip top shape. If you take pride in your ride, then you`ll be rewarded for keeping your ride clean.



3.) ???? - You Decide (Giveaway)

Help us out with Reason #3 to detail your ride for a chance to WIN! Just post a reply in this thread with your favorite reason to detail your ride to be entered into a random drawing. THREE lucky winners will be selected on July 4th 2016 to receive mystery gifts after the cermonial Autopia drum roll has been posted



4.) Brings Family and Friends Together

Most car guys I talk to are always looking for another reason to enjoy their car or motorcycle and are happy to help a hand, especially with someone who shares their passion. Detailing your own ride is a perfect opportunity to invite over a buddy for a few drinks and help each other work on your cars on a Sunday morning, or presents a chance to teach your son or daughter the joys of doing their own maintenance on their vehicles. Either way, it`s a chance to help each other out, to bond, to teach and to learn. I don`t remember a lot of things from my youth, but I can still remember the way our garage smelled. Helping my dad work on his 69 Corvette is something I`ll always remember.



5.) It Can Be A Source Of Income

In the world of detailing, your biggest investment will be tools. Luckily, most tools are actually not a requirement and the basics can be done by hand. One thing I learned pretty quickly is that products seem to last forever. So a single bottle of wax can turn into a very efficient profit. When the economy took a turn for the worse on 2007-2008, I was fresh out of college and couldn`t find a job. I ended up going door to door in my neighborhood washing and waxing cars with a Meguiar`s Gift Box I purchased from Wal-Mart. One thing lead to another and I eventually scored a job detailing boats for a large company and the rest is history! I see a lot of Autopians here who start detailing their own rides and are eventually asked to detail a friends or family member or coworkers vehicle. Next thing they know they`re finding a few extra bills in their bank account and everything start paying for itself.



6.) Exercise

Something I hear from a lot of new detailers is "this is a lot of work!". Washing and waxing a car can turn into a serious calorie burning session. Studies have shown that on average, people burn between 600-1000 calories per wash and wax session (avg 4 hours)! And I bet those numbers are on the low end, considering how intricate detailing can get. Some detailers I know are never too shy about turning a full bucket into a few bicep curls, or performing a few push ups before getting off the ground. Starting the day with a calorie burning session is just another reason to detail your ride. Just make sure to stay hydrated!



7.) Healthy Hobbies Are Healthy

“Work hard, play hard.” Anyone with goals and aspirations knows the value of hustling during their working hours. However, work-life balance is important, which means that in addition to working hours and time with family and friends, you should have some hobbies. Studies have shown that taking time for things you enjoy can actually recharge your batteries in a way that`s very different from a good night`s sleep. Whenever I find myself feeling sluggish or "in the dumps", I always try to clear time for some of my hobbies; especially detailing. Starting the day or ending the day with good music and a clean ride always gets me in a better mood. Detailing is also something that can be done by kids and adults, so it`s a great hobby to share with a significant other, family member or friend.



8.) Regular Maintenance Is The Easiest Maintenance

Keeping a car clean can seem like a monumental task, and it can be...but only if you let it get out of hand. One of my favorite quotes from detailing legend Mike Phillips is "Regular maintenance is the easiest maintenance", meaning as long as you maintain your vehicle regularly; you`ll never have a monumental task to face. While detailing your car, it`s also a great opportunity to check the other type of maintenance items on your car like the oil, windshield wiper fluid, tires, brakes, etc etc.



Thanks for reading!

Nice picture of Ron`s C7 with me polishing it....TY

[BlkToy14]

I recently slipped and scratched the side of my car door with a metal rod. (yes stupid) I reached down. Rubbed it with my hand and it came off. Couldn`t believe it. Sprayed a little X-wax on the door. Wiped it off. Next day in bright sun. Still couldn`t make out where the scratch had been.
This is a car went over three times with a DA to repair heavy swirling. Used all Menzerna. The finish is great. Even though it has flaws and will never be showroom. It wasn`t touched with any polish/wax or anything for two years and 30k miles. This is only an amateur first timer job.
This is the benefit #3. Go ahead even if you`re a non experienced amateur. Going through the bother of taking care of a good finish is worth it. Won`t turn out perfect. But will give it a finish that generally looks great and will resist scratches.
I also remember. There was a cat getting on my car at work. I could see the scratches as the cat tried to stay on. The car was too slippery for the cat. It would slide off. Even then, none of the scratches can be seen now. And the cat has given up on the car.

[wendell jarvis]

I`m obsessed with the illusive perfection and the relentless chase of the ultimate mind blown gloss that cause people to stop and do a second look with the reply " Wow that is excellent looking "

[Bunky]

It is something you can accomplish as opposed to something like chasing a white ball all over God`s green earth.

[KBsToy]

3) Responsibility.
I`m sure most of us prefer to work on cars early in the morning while it is cooler outside. Getting up early usually means, not drinking as much the night before, going to bed at a decent time and most of the time when I`m outside finished washing the car, I am more likely to start to clean up other areas around the house or yard. Plus it takes time and commitment to keep your car clean.

I hear you brother.....

[ShawnF350]

A great stress reliever.
Takes your mind off of anything that`s been bothering you all week.
Maybe an ill loved one or Maybe they took that big alimony payment this week.

[Zelfiris]

3.) Chasing That Perfect Finish


This one I`m guilty of and quite frankly why I`m an Autopian. We know a lot of people take care of their cars regardless of how much detailing knowledge they have. They can be beginners using OTC wash products or car enthusiasts cleaning their trophy cars daily. But I think what sets us apart is the burning desire to chase after the perfect finish. We do paint corrections to remove imperfections, we apply LSPs for the extra gloss, we buy the latest products to test their results, and we participate in discussions at Autopia to learn how to keep improving. In return, we learn new techniques, new product combinations, and we share our failures so the next member will not need to. And we do all of this for the sake of chasing for the perfect finish. Two stage paint correction on a daily driver, why not? What’ stopping you besides your spouse staring you down from the kitchen window?


Perhaps #3 should be ‘To Be An Autopian Member’?

[Ronkh]

This looks vaguely familiar...............

[jtford95]

I also like to make the extra money when I can. It feels good to see the expression on someone`s face when i as done and say" wow! That looks better than new"!

[tropicsteve]

This looks vaguely familiar...............

that was fun !