Having less time to detail, I realize I was obsessive

C

chevyguy28

New member
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!
 
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
 
Originally posted by KEVO

This is not just a young person thing, I am 35....
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From my point of view and age, if a person is in their 30's, they're a young person. :D 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.:p



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? :nixweiss
 
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.

230268_15_full.jpg


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



Keep on shinging!



Cheers,

My 740iL Site
 
KEVO said:
This is not just a young person thing, I am 35 and I am pretty sure I will always be this way.

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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"?
 
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.:bounce
 
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.

1726ranger-1-med.jpg




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.
 
That is one Shiney Truck!!! :xyxthumbs 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.

230268_8_full.jpg


Keep up the Shining!



Cheers,

My 740iL Site
 
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.
 
thanks for the reminder! i'm not used to even washing my car and then i got a new black m3 and started reading this board and being a perfectionist became obsessed with the condition of the detailing which of course was never even close to being good enough. i won't drive the car if there's a threat of rain or if the streets are even wet because then i would have to wash etc. the car again. i've even been saying "i thought i was buying a great car to drive, but instead its become more like a new hobby." its been driving me crazy. thanks for the reminder. i needed it.
 
I know exactly what you mean. I remember coming to a T intersection, where I could turn left or right. My house was only a mile if I went right, but the entire road was wet from a broken line. Rather than risk getting some spray on the car, I did a U-turn and drove 3 miles the long way home.
 
Originally posted by JustinTRW

Rather than risk getting some spray on the car, I did a U-turn and drove 3 miles the long way home.
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Heck if I had your car I would have driven 60 miles out of the was to keep from running through that water. :D If I've got an errand to run and it's raining, I'll wait until the next day or until the streets are dry which ever comes first.
 
some people have to make up not having the not so luxury cars by keeping it super shiny ;)





actually, my deal is, if I have to pay the same friggin high car payment on month 1 as I do month 51, then the car better look exactly the same.



My friends car is the same age as mine and is already a hunk of junk, and he still pays the same. I would not like that. Course, you're just talking about letting go a little.



One can definately have a great looking car with "minimal" effort (by our standards). Technique and products are key. Knowledge is power and efficient.





BTW, don't mistake that the reason why your car looks good now is the extra effort you put in the past.
 
My philosophy is that you can only be young once, but you can be immature forever. :D



I ration myself to one wash and/or wax per week. If I did it anymore than that then I would definatly feel out of control. In the winter I'm lucky if I get to do it twice a month. The weather just doesn't cooperate very often. I've gotta get that salt off though. So even if its just a quick wash to get the salt off, I'm out there doing it.
 
I went to the drags and it rained before I could do any runs. I ended up washing the car the next morning. So much for letting go....





I hear what you are saying Steve!
 
Interesting thread, it really hits home.

I have big time anxiety about Winter and keeping the car clean.

With the clocks turned back, I am working 6am-2pm or 7-3 just so I can have some daylight to detail by when I get home.

So much crud already starting to build up on the road already...

The frost or really heavy dew in the morning.....lots of road kill.. new blemishes on the paint daily, asking my wife to use her car or have her drive me on rainy days,(goes over real well!!!)

Maybe Sal Zaino or CMA will send me a bottle of Prozac with my next order................ I've even taken to changing my shoes before I get into my car!!!

I have to think of VW's slogan........"DRIVERS WANTED"

Regards, Mr.OCD:scared
 
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