After a failed attempt to remove swirls on my silver BMW about 8 years ago, I put the PC, Menzerna polishes, and all the HUGE pads away for many years. Then, I traded that car in.
The car I traded it for was a black BMW. Unlike most, my dealer actually had the car detailed well when I bought it. No swirls or scratches. Then, as time went on, I started to see (inflict) some.
This time I was determined to learn how to get rid of them. That got me into detailing. Of course, I figured out what I was doing wrong: too much product, too big pad on a PC, not enough downward pressure.
I work long (13-14 hrs) days. This means I don't work many days. I only have to work 3 or 4 days a week (it flips every other week). So, on any given week I have 3 or 4 days I'm off from work. I also get 4 weeks vacation. So, I have a lot more time at home than the many with a 9-5 job.
Detailing gives me something to do when I'm off. I'll wash / detail my car and listen to the radio / Stern / music just so I have something to do. I can't stand watching TV, if I watch TV I just fall asleep. I hate having absolutely nothing to do. There is always tiny detail I can fool with on my cars.
Neighbors probably think I'm crazy. About 10 people have came up to me in the past 2 years or so, and asked if I run a detailing business and would I do their car. I tell them, I only do my own, it would be too expensive to pay me to do yours. I guess they never caught on I'm always working on the same 2 cars.
I'm still waiting for someone to ask me "How expensive?" But I do get a lot of compliments on my cars, and that's rewarding. But I'm sure a lot of people are like: "there is that A-hole screwing with his car again... Does he think that's a Ferrari?" To which, I don't really care.
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