Are detailer's anal and critical??
- Thread starter MatloccAllison1
- Start date
Don M
Active member
- Jan 8, 2010
- 2,254
- 14
I also tried for perfection for a long time - On BLACK, DAILY DRIVERS yet. The result was that I burned myself out badly. So bad that even the thought of logging into AG or other detailing sites nearly made me sick. I was (at that time) thinking that ANYONE who would waste so much time and energy into cleaning a CAR, had something seriously wrong with them (and not in the good, fun way).
Turns out what I needed was a break and a reality check. The reality check turned out to be accepting the fact that the harder you work towards perfection, the more flaws you will see. So you work harder and see even more flaws. It's a vicious circle that can only end one way - complete, total and unrecoverable burnout. I know this, because I was ALMOST there.
I realized that we do this to ourselves from the beginning, and most mentors are also guilty of "passing along the virus." We think (and are taught) that the "goal" is PERFECTION. This is a lie, an impossibility and to try and achieve it will only damage you and possibly the car. Think chasing that last, final swirl/scratch/imperfection and burning through the paint, NOW what have you accomplished?
Some months ago, I mentioned that I was made an Admin on a brand new detailing page on Facebook. The page is geared towards those just starting out, who are starting to develop an interest in taking caring for their cars to the next level. Most of the members don't even know the basics and have not been infected by the "Perfection Virus." I'm doing my best to protect them from getting the virus, by stressing "Enhancement" vs "Correction." Making a car significantly better than it was before, but without trying to chase perfection.
As things turned out, I am now the "owner" of the page, as the lady who started it messaged me and TOLD me she is bowing out, that it is now MY page to run as I see fit. So I stress "less is best" and "always start with the LEAST aggressive method," to accomplish what you are trying to do, and even try the least aggressive method two or three times BEFORE - SLOWLY getting more aggressive A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME to get the job done if the least aggressive method falls short.
Since I had been fighting for control of my life from work and the battle for Disability Retirement (plus the fact that it's the detailing 'off' season in Ohio), the page has been on the slow side. It's more of a sounding board for me, rather than a discussion group, so I haven't been as active lately. BUT, with things finally settling in with my retirement and detailing season getting closer, I'm going to attempt to be more active and do my best to teach improvement VS perfection, along with tips, trick and tools that I have found useful - without going overboard and at minimal expense ... I don't want to go full "Auto Geek" on them and scare them
If anyone cares, or is interested, I had the 'real' owner of the page change the name due to a name conflict (she is the only one who could do that since she MADE the page). It is now: "Detailing Basics - from the Beginning and Beyond." Like I said, if anyone really cares.
Sorry this got so long, I got up about an hour ago, I'm ready for my 3rd cup of coffee, and I'm raring to go.
Bill D
Active member
- Mar 3, 2006
- 2,481
- 17
For me, it’s becoming a little less of a lifestyle and more of just a hobby. Granted my vehicles will always remain pristine. It’s just not a big deal to me to keep them that way. I have a routine that I casually walk through each time that gives me the results that I desire.
DanaDetailingPros
Active member
- Aug 7, 2022
- 1,335
- 2
Never am able to overlook a grain! It is defiantly challenging to manage my time on a customers car. I love it when I'm just not pressed for time. Than I enjoy it allot more.
Don M
Active member
- Jan 8, 2010
- 2,254
- 14
Back when I was dating my wife, I had a 1989 Camaro (black of course) and I was at her house visiting. Her sister was there with my wife's niece (not quite 5 years old then) and we were all sitting outside on the front porch. It needs to be said that I was at the HEIGHT of being anal about my car and as always, it had been freshly washed and polished.
My wife's niece was kind of wandering around and started walking towards my car. I went on high alert, not reacting, but NOT taking my eyes off the darling little toddler. She walks within about a foot of my car and just stands there. My now-wife noticed the change in me and sees her niece standing right next to the Camaro. Suddenly, without warning, this darling child starts KISSING her reflection in my door! I about vapor-locked, thinking about gooey smudges and smears (in my mind, FAR worse than hand prints). Before I could even twitch, my wife grabbed me and told me in a very calm and soothing voice (like you would use with someone who is deranged and out of their mind). "She's not hurting your car, she's just giving her reflection a kiss - see she's done already and walking away."
It worked, and I was able to maintain my composure - at least until I got back home and quickly gave the car its SECOND bath of the day.
opie2
Well-known member
- Mar 6, 2021
- 2,660
- 325
I had yelled at a friend one time for leaning on my truck...i said "it aint a tree, get the fuckk off it". He was quite supprised as im pretty laid back.
one of my biggest issues is when folks feel the need to lean on the bedside while facing the truck. Like its cool if ya wanna lean in the bed rails cuz its plastic on top...but dont let your gut scrape/rest against the bedside.
Also, Dont finger print the glass. Dont set anything on the paint.
Food goes in the trunk or truck tool box.
Yes to cleaning the wheel barrels every wash. Its funny how much i notice other peoples dirty wheel barrels after i started the habbit.
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one of my biggest issues is when folks feel the need to lean on the bedside while facing the truck. Like its cool if ya wanna lean in the bed rails cuz its plastic on top...but dont let your gut scrape/rest against the bedside.
Also, Dont finger print the glass. Dont set anything on the paint.
Food goes in the trunk or truck tool box.
Yes to cleaning the wheel barrels every wash. Its funny how much i notice other peoples dirty wheel barrels after i started the habbit.
Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
Don M
Active member
- Jan 8, 2010
- 2,254
- 14
When I was still working, I was sitting in my car waiting until it was time to go in (psyching myself out to go in, really). One of my coworkers parked next to me (at what I considered a "safe" distance), BUT when he got out of his car, he started to set his HUGE gym bag ON MY HOOD!!!!
I took the high road, and instead of shooting him, just said: "Please Don't!" in a VERY firm voice. He actually paused a second, with his bag dangling less than an inch away from the paint, like he was trying to decide if I was serious, then HE made the smart move and pulled the bag away, setting it on the ground.
Damn, that was a close one.
opie2
Well-known member
- Mar 6, 2021
- 2,660
- 325
Wow!!!! You sir handled that way better than i would have.
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Big Dave
Well-known member
- Jan 7, 2018
- 3,863
- 2,291
A few years back I was picking up some takeaway, not using the drive-thru because it was one of those places that has good food, but you can't trust them to put everything in the bag. And while waiting for my order I noticed these three guys standing near my car having a conversation, they edged closer and closer, I could tell at least one of them was about to lean against it, so I hit the panic button on the remote, the alarm went off, the conversation stopped, and it was so annoying they moved off. Job done.
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opie2
Well-known member
- Mar 6, 2021
- 2,660
- 325
Takeaway?? You mean takeout....Yinz austrailians are weird
jkSent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
PaulMys
Active member
- Jan 14, 2014
- 10,772
- 3
Takeaway?? You mean takeout....Yinz austrailians are weirdjk
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YEAH!!
And did you know their toilets flush counter-clockwise??
FREAKS!!!!!!
opie2
Well-known member
- Mar 6, 2021
- 2,660
- 325
Righhhhttt...and i use nothing but left handed screwdrivers
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PaulMys
Active member
- Jan 14, 2014
- 10,772
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:drool:
