NY Times article on auto detailing

Before I joined Autopia I would say this person is a fanatic. Now I know what true fanatics are (myself included) Now when people ask me about detailing I start explainig the difference in Polymer waxes and carnauba. I try not to hurt anyone's feeling when I tell them I won't use a Turtle Wax product. After about 3 minutes into my jabber, I realize I've lost them. LOL. Kind of like a doctor trying to explain surgery to a burger flipper.



I don't think those people in the article drool in auto care store like a child in a candy store. Nor do I think that they look up every car care,Auto paint store and motorcycle shop in the phone book to map out in what order to hit them up.



---------Side note------ I now call my supplies my "Arsenal". lol
 
We are kinda crazy when it comes to cleaning cars . For Christmas or birthday presents if it isent car care products we are unhappy most of are familys dont understand us . They think we are obsesive their right but thats the way we are . We wash cars when we know its going to rain . we will wax are cars every 2 weeks when we know the wax will last 3 months. A compliment to us is hey you have a sharp car. Thats the way we are.
 
ByndCln said:
I try not to hurt anyone's feeling when I tell them I won't use a Turtle Wax product
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How true is that? LOL. Just yesterday I was at Pep Boys and I saw this woman pick up a can of Turtle Wax and it was all I could do not to yell "No!!!!!!!!!!" and push her out of the way. My girlfriend got to listen to me explain the situation all the way home.
 
The wash he's talking about (I think) is the type where you pull into a bay and the wand goes around the car. These types of washes (that I've seen) are self serve, so you dry the car yourself. I use them in the winter 3 or 4 times a week even to keep the salt and crud from sticking.
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I see. That is different, at least before you start drying you can see if it is clean, and if not may be go back in the wash. I am just not convinced those things can clean the paint ready for drying. I guess if your car was clean to start with and you keep dirt of it by using this kind of wash may be it would OK.
 
ByndCln said:
... After about 3 minutes into my jabber, I realize I've lost them. LOL. [/i]
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LOL I have been there so many times, now I do not go into too much detail, unless I still have their attention and they are asking sensible questions. I quit trying when I hear something like "we take our car to automatic car wash on such and such a street, they do a great job there"
 
Here, on the Island of Montréal, the touchless washes jet water and detergent and then you move up to the area that blow dries the car. Does not get the car completely clean, but better than nothing in winter.
 
Taxlady said:
Here, on the Island of Montréal, the touchless washes jet water and detergent and then you move up to the area that blow dries the car. Does not get the car completely clean, but better than nothing in winter.
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Some Ultramar stations have the Ultra wash or something like that. Best touchless washes I've been to. Of course I only use them a couple of times in winter, (I hate frozen doors the morning after :D ) I always detail it myself in the summer.
 
Just yesterday I was at wal-mart for some non detailing stuff, "when out of the blue" I saw a guy heading to check out with a silicone tire spray. I actually stopped him and told him that for roughly th same price he should get the High Endurance. I explained that it won't turn his tires brown and that it will stand up to the rain,we get some of that here in Washington. He said that he was gonna head back and get some.
 
Man the people in that article make me look like a detailing sissy:o ! I can't imagine waxing three times a year:D ! I've been goin about it all wrong! I must return to the altar of wax and pray for forgiveness for my sins:D !!!
 
I don't see how touch free can work as well as good ole sheepskin...I can see where it might be convenient though for periodic washings...
 
"Wax on with one, wax off with the other," he said. He likens his method to the scene of ritualistic car waxing in the film "The Karate Kid."
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Oh, the pain(t)!!

I can see the swirl marks forming as he talks!

I guess it's ok, though...he'll remove them in three or four months when he uses his uber scratch remover...
 
WOW i am sure glad i found this website and don't have to rely on articles like this to inspire me. But really three times a year i hope he doesn't wear his arm or pc out ha ha ha ha ha... i was laughing out loud.
 
Pre-Autopia: "Yeah, that guys takes really good care of his car. I must never see dirt."



Now: "I guess that guy is doing alright. At least he does something... better than letting that break dust, bird poo, mud, sit on the paint for months. As far as an Autopian would be concerned, he is neglecting his car. Although, he is a perfect candidate for finding this forum."



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Pre-Autopia: "Ugh... washing the car takes so long. I cant wait till I finish so I can go do something else. Or maybe I can wait another week to wash it."

Now: "Uh oh, my car is really dirty but I didnt get a chance to wash it today. I guess I can use QEW at midnight in the garage."



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Pre-Autopia: "Using the wiper blades with windshield washer fluid is a very fast and effective way to clean the windshield."

Now: "I have wiper blades?"



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Pre-Autopia: "Waxing just isnt worth the time thats required."

Now: "Its nice to know what the durability of waxes will be, but it doesnt really matter. I'll have a new coat on there by the first one cures. :D







I think this shows some of the mindset differences :D
 
I wonder what these guys would say (along with the rest of the NYT readers) if they had published Accumulators washing regiment. i seriously think it would blow their minds, or think they were making it up.



BTW, im surprised the article didn't finish NuFinish, that crap has a REAL cult following. I hate it, but some people swear by it.
 
Cool to see an article like this, but I agree that they didn't get the hardcore perspective. I used more than 3 different TYPES of waxes last year...forget just waxing 3 times a year.



We're all ordering tens of special towels that cost enough to make people's eyes pop out of their heads and having them shipped from Hawaii (no offense to Ranney, who offers a great deal as far as I'm concerned....non detailers seem to get freaked out until they get a few waxes under their belts though...they always come around ;) )....people here have 5 or 6 different types of waxes just sitting around....



And dude's carwash comments were frightening! I'm glad they mentioned that some people don't car wash, some use only touchless though....he must be using a lot of glaze to "get rid" of those scratches and swirls... ;)



A detailing column would be a cool idea though. Detailing seems to be gaining some popularity and there are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many misconceptions!
 
Hmm... while a detailing column is a great idea in principle to bring better car care to the masses, detailing is still too much of an art and relies too much on personal opinion and "case by case basis" things for a quick and casual column.



There's no way that the editor could make his advice and comments as cut and dried as with something like a car repair forum - he'd be inundated with mail giving contrary opinions!
 
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