Having less time to detail, I realize I was obsessive

I'm obsessed as well.



After buying a new car recently, I started driving the local route to work just to avoid rock chips. The highway I usually take (I-287 in NJ) is packed with dump trucks (and non-secured tarps) each morning. My previous car's front bumper and windshield looked like swiss cheese after several months of this route. Driving the local route means I have much more brake dust to deal with, but I can manage that. :)



It's actually reassuring that I am not the only one to modify my route to keep the car nice.



-ema
 
I think that the difference between OCD and someone who is fussy, is that a fussy person wants a clean car whereas an OCD person needs a clean car so they can move on to the next thing. One is in control, the other is not.



BTW, I would say that taking a different route to avoid damage in terms of paint chips is common sense



Steven
 
What happens when you WANT and NEED a clean car?!!!

:eek:

I have 6 different ways to go to work/come home..........of course the longest route has the least amount of debris.....and the most traffic!

Eric
 
I am extremely anal and a clean freak in EVERYTHING I do. I am a clean freak and it can destroy your life. You gotta be careful and stay on top of your thoughts. It will consume you and make you a perfectionist like me. Being a consumate perfectionist and a "do it right the first time" or "get outta my face" can take a toll on your personal life, your health, the people you know. It constantly tests my marriage. Many times I have thought of a divorce because my wifes level of being clean does not live up to my expectations.



It's a disease, keep it in perspective!
 
can we say all autopians are pretty much type A personalities.



Ever since seeing this site I can't stop thinking about car care in general, or when I see a dirty car I cringe, or a clean car I smile...its rather stupid, but thats ok!



I now already have at least 250 dollars in car care supplies and I have only been into it for a month...and I'm not at all wealthy. I just really wanted to take care of my new baby, and this site put me way way way over the edge...haha!



Love autopia!



Now if I could just start to calm down and be a little more sane about things...
 
I'm with Justin on this one. I tried to keep my truck perfect after I bought it (in spring 2001), but for me it's just not possible. I have a 50 mile each way commute every day, and my truck isn't garaged. Most of the year it's too dark to wash it after I get home at night, and a lot of times the dust is just too thick for a QD. Another thing is all of the blemishes that build up over time. I have many rock chips, a dent from where my neice opened my dad's truck door into it, paint flecks missing from where I pulled my "Off-Road" decals from the rear quarter panels (and foolishly didn't use a hair dryer to heat it up first), and some cat scratches in the hood. The cat scratches were the last straw for me. I keep my truck looking nice most of the time, but if it is dirty I don't worry about it. If I get a new blemish I don't freak out. I just do a reasonable job of keeping it detailed.



That said, my paint is still in better shape than any other car in the parking lot at work, even if it is a little dirtier from my long commute. I have a few swirl marks starting to show, but they will be gone after the weather warms up this spring.;)
 
We all seem to share a common obsession, irrespective of age - I try and do mine at least once a week, but admit that one black car in the family is more than enough.



Of course, my wife and daughters thought I was crazy when I insisted on bringing my detailing stuff with me on vacation in Tuscany - but you could not very well expect me to enjoy those fabulous tuscan roads with anything less than a clean car - could you?



Hey - AMP99 - that is a beautiful black car...:up
 
We had snow forcast for Saturday night. Saturday was warm. Ususally I give it a quick wash if it's above 40. But with the forecast and even more snow predicted, I just rinsed off the cars and then went to the gym and the movie house to see The Two Towers. But it'd better be good weather next week or I will definitely be suffering from withdrawal.
 
I just got back from Sacramento last night. It must have rained or something over the weekend because the car was an absolute disaster area when I got to the parking lot. I had no choice but to give it a wash at 10:00 PM last night. I had one guy stop in the middle of the road and look at me trying to figure out what I was doing. What...? You've never seen a guy out washing his car in 35 degree weather before?? Whatsamatta you?? :D It had to be done. I couldn't sleep knowing that I wasn't going to have time to wash it till the first.
 
AMP99 said:
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



Bluntly, detailing the Maxima is quite relaxing for me. I tend to have my favorite music playing while cleaning the car and it actually helps me pace myself.



Detailing the Navigator? :scared
 
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