Car Looks

[bmwx5]

Since I just started detailing my X5 for about a month now , I've been noticing other cars around me and when I go out and see how much people neglect to wash or keep up their car . I mean at least in my area , ( I live in northern california ) and I would say about 95% of all cars where I live or have seen look terrible or havent been washed or maintained at all . I just dont know if people dont care about how their car looks or maybe they dont have the time , or even the importance of keeping the paint in good shape a priority at all . Anyhow after detailing my truck properly for the first time , I realized how important it is to clean and wash properly , and after you get it the way you want to look , how easy it is to maintain it using the right techniques and products ( aka Meguire's ) ... and finally the satisfaction of staring at the gloss and shine of your finished product . Anyhow thanks to all the people here on MOL for all their help and information in guiding us in the right way and direction ..

[Eddie6th]

Re: Car Looks

Glad everything is going in the right direction for you.
Problem is,most people don't know about cleaning their car and maintaining them.
Is that good? No,but it makes your car stick out from the crowd!

[Alex C.]

Re: Car Looks

Once you get that bug it never goes away. I find myself always looking at how dirty everyone's wheel wells are. You can try and fool me with your clean paint, but you'll never distract me from those dirty wheel wells.

[bmwx5]

Re: Car Looks

That is so true on how your car will stick out and people do notice your car more ( although I do this for my own satisfaction and everything else is icing on the cake ) ... and yes on how you seem to notice more of other people with their dirty cars and wheels ...

[xantonin]

Re: Car Looks

I don't know about you guys, but doesn't seeing a dirty car make you want to clear it just to see how shiny and new you can make it look?

It's sort of like a challenge, to me.. And I love the before/after views

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Car Looks

It's all about educating people:

Since I just started detailing my X5 for about a month now , I've been noticing other cars around me and when I go out and see how much people neglect to wash or keep up their car .

See, you've been educated, so now your awareness level has risen. Many people simply don't know what to look for, or when they do see problems they either don't think it's really a "problem", they have no clue how to get rid of the problem, or think that's just the way paint is. Can't really blame folks for not knowing something..... we all went to school and learned new things along the way. Resources like MOL and others exist to help educate people, and with a "learn at your own pace" environment you can either just learn proper washing/waxing technique and be happy with that, or strive to become the next Superior Shine. Or more. Just remember.... if you're shooting to be the next Superior Shine, Joe is shooting higher still.

[Alex C.]

Re: Car Looks

Oh definitely! I'm tempted all the time to do that, but i know if it were the other way around i wouldn't want some random person wiping my truck down.

[Larry A]

Re: Car Looks

In my area their are 3 soft cloth car washes that offer summer car wash prices for under $5.00 and that includes towel dry , and most people in my area still drive dirty cars. I understand that automatic car washes leave much to be desired, but for the average person their better then nothing. I guess most people choose nothing.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Car Looks

It's a bug.For some people it may be recent with their car.But they'll probably find that they've always loved polishing things all their lives.

My obsession for polishing(If you want to call it that) doesn't just end with cars.It's with everything:

Models,ornaments,furniture,marble,metalwork,jewellery,etc. Anything that's dirty/worn,and can be polished,I'll do it!


As for the comment earlier about the dirty wheels: "It's awfull!"....A reasonably clean bodywork and filthy wheels.I seen a volvo today,just like that......The wheels were absolutely black.A terrible mess.

[bmwx5]

Re: Car Looks

Good for you Eddie . I think everyone has there own different preference or agenda on why they want to keep their car in good shape . But whatever the reasons are , the bottom line is we all want the same thing ... OUR RIDE TO LOOK FABULOUS ! ( as well as the staring at the shine while no one is looking and admiring your work ... hehe )

[Calais]

Re: Car Looks

As for the comment earlier about the dirty wheels: "It's awfull!"....A reasonably clean bodywork and filthy wheels.I seen a volvo today,just like that......The wheels were absolutely black.A terrible mess.

Dirty BMW wheels make me feel like crying, they always have a half inch of brake dust on them. If you can afford a BMW, you can afford a semi-annual detail from a professional detailer.

[roushstage2]

Re: Car Looks

If you can afford a BMW, you can afford a semi-annual detail from a professional detailer.

Good luck with that one. You usually can't even find one that gets the oil changed, let alone getting it professionally detailed.

[Underdawg736]

Re: Car Looks

I feel you guy's. One of the things that really gets under my skin is seeing a nice expensive car that looks like it hasn't seeing soap let alone wax since it was bought by the shmuck who allowed their car to get that bad! I really hate seeing nice rims look as black as the tires that wrap around them.
Since getting into this fabulous hobby I find myself eyeballing everyones cars and then shaking my head in disbelief. I can't afford a car that costs more then 15k max and to see people driving around in 20, 40, 60, even 100k+ cars that are dirtier then a Pinto sitting outside all it's life it's just amazing!

OK I feel better now!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Car Looks

You said it underdawg!

Why spend all that poppy on an expensive car and not look after it? Even if they don't have a clue how to do it themselves,why can't they at least take it to a car wash?
The same people houses have them looking in good condition..nicely painted walls,no broken clumps of plaster.Nice gardens etc.
And yet in their driveways sit dirty cars?

The mind boggles?

[Alfist-GTV6]

Re: Car Looks

Well.....i haven't used Megs yet, but i'm even noticing how the paintwork on some cars are.
Especially those cars which have the classic status and those newer showroom-models.
It really became a disturbing sight, because they are full of scratches, fainted/dull/flat color, dirty.
Then you're wondering about why buy such a beaut and neglect it so badly.

I guess some only think of the status of a car and don't give anything about maintaining such cars.
In my opinion they shouldn't own such cars, then i would say like buy a rustbucket then if you really don't care about maintenance.