Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

That get's ragged on for constantly fiddling with their car.
Since Gina got home from her stay in the shop for paint, I have been a little obsessive. I don't like to see dirt on my car. When it first came out, I even washed it twice in one day. I wore out a lambskin chamois within a month. I have gotten the "seriously?" from my wife, my friends, and a few neighbors. The wife thinks it's all about trying to get attention from the ladies. Not the case, but it is fun to watch people snap their heads around when I pass. The drive by comments are some of the best. I got one today, all I heard was "mumble mumble mumble BLUE!"
I since have gotten a little more relaxed about it, I will let it go until I can't stand it any more. I waxed it for the first time since I got it back in late March today. I was here alone and thought I could do it without getting flack. My daughter and son pull up in the driveway as I'm just about done and I hear them both laughing out loud, I knew what it was. Confirmed by them moments later
I guess no one has the understanding of what it's like to invest so much time, effort and $$$ into something and want to keep it in the best shape you can in the time of disposable cars that are all carbon copies regardless of the make. The car is far from show quality as far as I'm concerned, but that's no excuse to let it look like crap.

So is it just me, or do they just not get it? I'm interested in others experiences.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I lost a girl friend because I ALWAYS park in no mans land.

She also could not understand the "mandatory" before I leave the driveway walk around with the CA duster in one hand and a damp shamy in the other to remove any spots or blemishes on the car.

She just did not get it .

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

sounds like you're a little OCD, and this is coming from a guy who like a clean car.

I wanted my car to be perfect after it was painted too. All it took was the first couple rock chips on the front bumper to really **** me off, and to realize that if I drive it, this will happen.

Also hit an unavoidable blown out tire retread on the highway that left a huge black smudge down my car. That really pissed me off good.

Pontiac_Pete

When I was daily driving my '97 WS6, I cleaned it daily (Gotta love Black!). My car looked better than the two guys I know who keep their '99 & '02 SS 'Maros in the garage and never drove them except on nice days.

It is all pride, I love having a nice car that I take care of. There is nothing worse than seeing the 3rd and 4th gens all ragged out and the owners do not care.

I know how you feel about hitting a retread! I was following my friend in my '97 one night and we both hit a retread. It shattered the left side ground effect, dented the rocker, spider webbed the lower part of the front bumper, and nearly ripped the fuel filter out.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

OCD? Yes and no. If that were so, my daily driver wouldn't be such a disaster. I feel a little guilty when I look at the difference in care I take of the faithful, start every time, run flawlessly, zero breakdowns for 14 year Grand Cherokee.
I think it's more about feeling good about sinking nearly double into the car that it could sell for in this area, and probably triple the payoff if it was totaled.

BTW Congrats on cotm, awesome car.

Termn8r

I just got mine painted 2 months ago. I know exactly what you mean because I spent some money as well. What I do is wipe it down every time I drive it and I haven't washed it in about a year. I just use the Meguiars detailer mist (or similar). Washing it actually can do more harm than good unless you have quite a bit of dirt built up.

Someone might make fun of me here, but I use different cloths by color code. Blue are used on plastic and seats, green and yellow for rims and chrome, orange for any heavy dirt on paint as well as mist down on car. I will use the orange cloths or shop towels for glass. Then I have 2 that are super soft and fluffy (blue&orange) I use to polish the car.

I can usually mist the car and polish in about 15-20 minutes (that I am happy with) I could do it faster but I like the glossy look.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

LMAO I have the color code going on too. Been using Mothers detail solution for small cleanups. I have this puddle that forms at the bottom of my driveway. When I wash the car I can't leave until it dries or I sling mud all over the car. Then it needs a wash...... it's a vicious cycle. I actually laid boards down today to leave. Going to pour some concrete and pitch it towards the road to save me tons of work in the longrun.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Just a little info. about the California Duster.

A exhalent product that saves me every day.

I live near a truck depot and it kicks up some serious dust.
Evert time I go to leave I use the duster and my car is yet again like glass.

I lightly glide it across a section then shake it out a little then go to another section/etc.

It takes me about 1 min. to do the hole car then I'm done.

It "does not" scratch the paint.

= http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Origin...uster/20896227

Pontiac_Pete

LOL I do the same for color coding, I even have 2 different chamois cloth for different parts after a wash.

ZsTransAm

Agreed that washing can do more harm than good but how do you guys get away without washing your cars when it comes to dirt, bird poop ect?

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

I " flood " the entire car with just the water hose -- no sprayer or attachments.
For some reason I **think** to spray it while its dirty // dusty // bird poopy, the debris will scratch the paint. I may be way off, but thats in my head.

Then go about my routine of wash, rinse, dry, wax, drive, enjoy......

Van Nuys born

This is all good stuff.... be glad you have the car guy DNA..... IMO you have to have something to think about and keep you busy ( a hobby ) it keeps you focused and you gain experience that can be applied elsewhere. It also keeps me working to fund the madness.