What got you interested in detailing?

[Car Potential]

I was curious what got you guys interested in detailing your care and making it look super clean? For me it was in college when I started getting into cars and I would find I had a lot of time on my hands and I took an interest in washing my car because any dirt would annoy me. Then I started applying wax and cleaning my wheels and using tire shine and it looked so good I got addicted. I am still addicted to always having my car having a subtle sparkle and dirt is not welcomed. And it's cool to see other people having an interest in keeping their car clean to the max and sometimes I stare at my car because of how perfect it looks. lol

[Mark58]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

In January I drove through snow,salt,ice rain and just about everything for 1800 miles. When I got to LA (lower Alabama) Orange Beach my black car was white. I went to a car wash and the first thing they done is used a SOAP BRUSH to wash the trunk and rear bumper before proceeding through the wash. Although car was clean you can guess what it looked like. Well next day I went to local walmart and purchased scratch X and swirl x. Tried cleaning the car by hand and soon found out that was a joke. When I got back north from my vacation (snow bird) I joined the site to find out how to properly detail and take care of my Black Caddy. Still learning,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[ajb39oh]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

When I was 12, it became my job to clean the family vehicles. I grew to like it and found it relaxing.

[mswerb]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

I have always been one to keep my cars clean. The thing that got me into detailing was the first time I waxed my car. When I was done, I took a step back and realized the difference. One thing I learned from my Father is that if you take care of your "stuff" it will last. This holds true for cars. I take pride in having clean cars, And enjoy keeping them clean.

[Slicked]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

I went to a detailing clinic run by a pro for a car club I was part of. I just wanted to know how to wash my car properly so I paid my $10 and off I went. When he showed us what he could do with polish, I was amazed. I wanted him to do my car, but I was embarrassed to have him work on a $6,000 car when he kept saying he worked on Porsches and Ferraris. So I bought myself some gear, did it myself and haven't looked back.

[Detroit CC]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

For me, I'm a bit of an obsessive person and don't like dirt.
Cars cost a lot of money and I just like to look after them and keep them clean.
Have been the same all my car owning life, twenty years.
Although my car cleaning skills have taken a massive step forwarded since finding this site.

[ChevyNick]

According to my dad I've been out washing and waxing cars with him since I could say "ponge" (sponge, but without the s) luckily mom was there to interpret for my dad haha. But yeah I've always been doing it, pretty much because my dad always has been. I enjoy it too, especially since I got a D/A! It's so hard to find people who are really into detailing!

[wifpd4]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

I bought a new car. My wife said, "take care of it or I'll will be driving it". 'nuff said.

Wanting to do it right, I went to California and Mr. Stoops was kind enough to start me (and hundreds or is it thousands others) down the right path.

[2011Murano]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

Brand new vehicle brought home, I had paid cash for this and when I got home I saw the 'DISO" and was out of control, I had to find out everything there is to know about fixing these swirls.

[john m.]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

Actually I have a weird way I got interested. It was essentially through a member here (Rasky). He was on another forum I was currently on and posting pics of his details. At first it was just cool, and I would wonder how he did that. Then I saw links here. I began to read and thought, "no way, to much work, why would I want to do that!" Though since the first time lurking here I couldnt keep my eyes away from the swirls all in my black paint!

Jump forward to the help from another member here (Nick Chapman) who was holding an open chance to learn from him for a day and I was lucky enough to live closely and took him up on it. He taught me just about all I know and I think when he showed me how to get the swirls out and I wiped away the polish to see what I had achieved was when it hit me.

For me its a combination of being able to take something that seems un fixable to most and turn it into something that looks even better than new, along with me being a big car guy as it is. Add to this the fact that it seems therapeutic to me, no one else in my family is into cars and I work alone so its fun to take my time and use it as alone time. Although I am a tad burned out from picking up detailing as a part time job for a bit (really because I dont get any polishing jobs in my area) I still really enjoy polishing and seeing that mirror reflection!

[BillE]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

Working with my Dad, using Simonize Cleaner (the green can) and then Simonize (the yellow can)*. I just liked the look of a 'clean' vehicle vice an ugly one.

I just stayed with it, more so nowadays that I'm retired.

Bill

*Yea, we're talking mid 50's.

[DAC17]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

I started on my aunt's 1969 Rambler American 440, using Classic Car Wax. Anyone who's ever used that stuff knows it will build up your arms quickly! We didn't have a family car, and she was going to let me drive hers on the weekends, so I wanted it looking pristine. It just got worse from there. Now that I'm semi-retired, I have more time to make all the cars in our house beautiful.

Now if I only I could get my wife and daughter to care....

[Sean Conrad]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

I started off on my 92 Camaro. It was the 25th anniversary edition and was beautiful, my buddy had a Corvette and we would both go to car shows and so mine always had to look its best. I took it one time to a professional detailer and looked even better. I couldn't believe it. Then I had several years where I had gotten away from cars for a while. Now in my 30's my folks asked me to do their car, and I agreed, the results were great. My dad who doesn't comment very often if I do a good job said the car looked better than the day they bought it. After that I had neighbors asking me to do their cars as well, pretty soon, I decided it was time to start my own business. The best part is that I have another job to fall back on until it takes off and is my full time career. Now, I just love knowing what I can do to the paint and make cars look their absolute best. I actually love working on daily drivers more than show cars and exotics in some way because everyone can see the work I do. lol.

[Scott's 62]

Re: What got you interested in detailing?

Ive been around cars my hole life. I was raised to take care of my stuff as well, so it help my obsession to keep my cars clean. but it wasn't till I got a job at a Body Shop washing there rental cars while watching the painter cut and buff the fresh paint to make it look so good from then on I was hooked to keep my paint to looks its best.
then I found this site then I really became obsessed with all the products megs has, wish I could try them all Lol.

[Ultraman]

I began quite early as a kid when I got my first chrome body BMX bike. Everyday I'd wash it, and apply a chrome polish for blinding shine. I guess the detailing itch just carried over to my other things on wheels.