And so the obsession begins....

[Ebenezer]

Having started off allowing the £5 brigade to hand wash the mazza, the affects had to be rectified by a 1 day spa on the coast in the summer. So to keep the mazza looking its best, I've now started down the slippery detailing slope.
I seem to have, very quickly, acquired all sorts of special lotions, brushes, clothes and towels. Following the "blast" to the ACE lst week, I washed the London grime off and used clay for the first time yesterday. Have yet to apply wax - that's the next adventure. Seems so easy on youtube, but I can't help feeling I'm going to end up with an opaque swirly mess as it refuses to buff to a shine! Stay tuned....
Eb

 

[Fangio63]

I suppose it will be better than going to the gym.... - but you're making it rain... best investment you could make would be a cover ... probably cheaper than all those products you've acquired ....

 

[StuartW]

As much as I very much love my car, I really can't stand cleaning it - I don't find it therapeutic and I get frustrated that it never looks as good as a professional would manage. It's not laziness, it's just a job that I have never warmed to,
I have a local guy who comes and cleans it for me on sight and does a fine job with a wash and polish. And he tells me of any imperfections on the car that I should address or keep an eye on.
I works for me

 

[Wack61]

I wonder what qualifications a detailer has to do the job

The thought of giving somebody £400+ to polish my car is totally alien to me

I have a buffer and various grades of poorboys cleaners, not rubbed through any paint yet but I don't have the nerve to flat it off with wet n dry first though the results look fantastic

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=143779

 

[MrCoop]

I'm with you Stuart. I've never been interested in cleaning my cars (let alone going as far as detailing them!). The last time I tried cleaning my car at home was when I'd just bought an Alfa 156 (2.5 V6). Went to Halfords, spent a fortune on just about everything I'd never need, cleaned the car once, did a rubbish job and put everything in a big box. Better to let someone who knows what they're doing crack on with it, which will give me the time to crack on with what I am good at.

 

[daverichardson]

Same here about cleaning the car!
I do it because I have to
There are better things in life - for me anyway

 

[CatmanV2]

Time and effort. When I had mine done, it was a full day's work, inside and out.

What does a plumber charge, per hour?

C

 

[Contigo]

I wonder what qualifications a detailer has to do the job

The thought of giving somebody £400+ to polish my car is totally alien to me

I have a buffer and various grades of poorboys cleaners, not rubbed through any paint yet but I don't have the nerve to flat it off with wet n dry first though the results look fantastic

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=143779

No qualifications at all but a very good eye is needed and lots of patience. My mate Nick is one of the best out there and now does it for a living

 

[Ebenezer]

You're right about the rain - but the drops look so nice on the paint! Trouble i, it's the first time I've got close up and personal with the surface and I've notcies all sorts of small dings, imperfection, shallow dents etc. These all miraculously disappear when I open the door (and get in). Have to say the novelty hasn't worn off just yet but can imagine it might, since I have to do the other cars at the same time or get accused of favouritism!
Eb

 

[Fangio63]

FWIW the Romanians at the Winnersh garage on the showcase cinema roundabout next to the new Harley Davison showroom (for gods sake don't go in there).... They don't do a bad job, clean water and clean cloths... and even use a little air line to get the water out of your door mirrors and shut lines...

 

[Ebenezer]

Now since i've reached that certain age the lure of a low slung Harley does start to appeal - perhaps the mazza is only the first signs of a crisis?
Eb

 

[spkennyuk]

Now since i've reached that certain age the lure of a low slung Harley does start to appeal - perhaps the mazza is only the first signs of a crisis?
Eb

Owning a Maserati isn't the first signs of a crisis. Its just an Italian tune up of lifestyle choices

 

[Wack61]

Now since i've reached that certain age the lure of a low slung Harley does start to appeal - perhaps the mazza is only the first signs of a crihsis?
Eb

I did the biking mid life crisis at 45

Suzuki 750 , Honda VFR800 , Suzuki bandit 1200

Can't say I've ever lusted after a Harley but I do still have an urge for a XJR1300 in Kenny Roberts yellow like this one

 

[philw696]

Miss my old 76 Kawasaki Z1000 now I know longer have her after many years.

 

[GranCabrioMC]

I suppose it will be better than going to the gym.... - but you're making it rain... best investment you could make would be a cover ... probably cheaper than all those products you've acquired ....

Cheaper, but less fun. Sometimes spending hours on your car, showing it a little love.......sigh.....that's what it's all about. Hobbies and past times are never really about the money; they are about the enjoyment!

 

[D Walker]

Cheaper, but less fun. Sometimes spending hours on your car, showing it a little love.......sigh.....that's what it's all about. Hobbies and past times are never really about the money; they are about the enjoyment!

I agree - On these cold wet nights I wish my garage was bigger so I could get in there and do a bit!

 

[Ebenezer]

Mmmmm
Eb

 

[Fangio63]

Whilst in Aus I met one of my sister in laws friends who rides one of these..

http://www.mvagusta.com/media/filer_public/71/b0/71b076bb-4dd1-4b5b-93de-a3435272ef9c/c2.jpg

She's hoping to come across for the IOM TT centenary, and passionate about Italian engineering... suggested we might have a few members that might accompany her ...

 

[Andyk]

chap over the road has a Harley...Must say it has the most awful noise coming of anything on the road. We have a event called hogging the bridge around by us and there are hundreds of them.....All sounding noising but not a nice noise....I usually stay away from Chepstow on that day. Never got Harleys and probably never will....

 

[safrane]

Hardly-get-it-ups as they are know by my circle of friends...owned by portly old men who think they look like cool...apparently.