Fighting a losing battle

[AcuraTech]

I was browsing around Autopia.com and noticed that some of the people on that forum are borderline obsessive-compulsive about detailing their cars. Just like some people here are obsessed about changing oil.

Some days I just feel like saying "Where do you draw the line?" You can detail the car once a week and change the synthetic oil out every 3K, but is it really necessary? Cars are on the losing end of a battle against rust, dings, dents, accidents, mechanical failures, depreciation, and normal wear and tear everyday.

I whole-heartedly agree that it is a good idea to keep fresh fluids in the car, maintain it, and wax it once in awhile. But is it necessary to spend 10 hours a week obsessing over a vehicle that is just going to mechanically fail, rust, wear out, get crashed, or go out of style in a couple years?

I'm not trying to knock any of you, but I am just a little frustrated that people like us that try to seriously maintain their cars usually end up getting crapped on by a major mechanical failure or something like that anyway. Cars are just not built to last much longer than 200K, because if they were all the manufacturers would be bankrupt by now.

Thanks for listening to me vent a little steam.

 

[JHZR2]

thats true... the only option is to not use the vehicle...

I dont see any issue with doing this on seldom used corvettes, etc.

Everyday cars though, great maintenance is necessary, but there IS a line.

JMH

 

[brianl703]

I'm mainly concerned about mechanical breakdowns...really don't care how it looks. Would rather not have a blowout because the tires are low, or an overheat because of an undetected coolant leak, etc.

 

[AcuraTech]

I agree completely. Being a mechanic I am obsessive about tire pressures, fluid levels, etc. But some of the people on Autopia are nuts. Not using a snow brush to get the snow off of the car because it might leave scratches? How else are you supposed to do it? I guess to each is his own, but keeping it mechanically perfect is a challenge in and of itself. Let alone spending 8 hours and using 30 dollars worth of premium wax every other Sat. to detail it. Collector and premium cars are a different story, I am just referring to the average daily commuter.

 

[brianl703]

Between bird crap, parking lot door dings, rock chips...seems like a losing battle to me.

As far as snow goes, most people in Northern VA just leave the snow on the car. Makes for some excitement on an otherwise boring drive when it flies off the roof of the car in front of you..even better when it's ice.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I like to talk about changing the oil more than changing the oil. I have the same attitude towards exercise.

 

[Shannow]

Groucho...exercise can be dangerous.

My 60 year old boss blew a knee cartlage out at the gym last week, when his reasons for going to the gym were to strengthen his legs to minimise the risk to his knees.

No gym, and that man would still be walking today.

 

[DaveInLA]

When I was a kid, I'd ask my mother why I had to fold my sheets and blankets after I got out of bed, since I'd be back in that bed about 6 hours after I got home from school. She said that if I used that logic, why take showers, why brush my teeth, why do anything in our daily routine?

Anyway, I do think people who wash their car every week are going way overboard. I'd like to aim for once every couple months, but I'm too lazy to do even that. I guess it's just something for them to really be passionate about. Personally, I feel it's more acceptable to be crazy for detailing than it is to be nuts about motor oil!

 

[Shannow]

Dave, I respectfully disagree (but not with your Mum).

I'd rather my cars were mechanically safe/sound than trailer queen externals.

 

[mikemc]

Everyone has a hobby. Some of us like weight lifting and excercise. Others like gardening or model railroads. I guess for folks who obsess over the car's appearance, its their hobby. It may not significantly extend vehicle life, but no harm either.

 

[rjundi]

Your feelings are very practical and matter of the fact. However with some people there is an extreme amount of emotion attached to a mechanical object that will never love you back.

 

[Patman]

I read the Corvette Forum a lot and there are some people on there who need some serious help. They spend more time cleaning their cars than they do driving them! I like keeping my car clean but I'm definitely not into spending 12 hours clay barring the entire surface every month when I can spend less than an hour washing and waxing it and it looks just as good (to me)

I would much rather be out there driving it!

 

[2Fast4U]

I use to go on this fbody forum and the majority of people on there only talked about cleaning and detailing there vehicles with 1 product. They never shut up about it. It was basically like the gathering spot for everyone selling the stuff but they had the front of an fbody forum.

 

[ScottB]

I'd rather see someone over-detail™ than ignore a nice, new car!
For me, it's a release. It also helps at resale.
I think most folks that do it are hobbyists - I spend way too much time in forums like this too - but I'm not out drinking, cheating on my wife, or ignoring my kids!
It's fun, and yes, sometimes compulsive, but as long as the kids get their bread and water, it's OK...

Scott

 

[AcuraTech]

quote:

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Originally posted by ScottB:
but I'm not out drinking, cheating on my wife, or ignoring my kids!


Scott

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Good point. There are things that are alot worse that someone could take up. I just get mad that there are always more things to do to my car. Fix this, lube that, clean this. And it seems like as soon as you get your car all shiny, it rains or something.

 

[ScottB]

LOL - of course. But with the internet, and live satellite maps, I know when it's going to rain!!!

Scott

 

[Auto-Union]

Detailing is a low-level function. Anyone can do it, no special skills required. Heavy engine service mechanics and fancy-pants detail boys are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

 

[ScottB]

I don't agree there, AU.
Proper detailing is maybe more of an art, but it's not simple.
I've seen plenty of examples of cars that look like they were waxed with 600-grit sandpaper!
Don't dismiss good detailers - it can be as involved as any good wrench's skills.
But yes, I agree, overall, it's apples and oranges.
For me, I've been wrenching since I was about 12. But now, I don't have the same desire to do a lot of that anymore, and I pay my mechanic to do certain things.
Working on an engine isn't always rocket science - it's about have the right tools and taking one's time!

Scott

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Heavy engine service mechanics and fancy-pants detail boys are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

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Based on hourly rates that State Farm pays for body work and what the claims adjuster told me they pay for mechanical work, body work is somewhere in the middle. Mechanical work is almost double the hourly charge of body work.

 

[Tosh]

I was half watching a program on TV about OCD, and it followed some of these poor people around (like one who had to wash and clean everything ALL the time). But it seemed as if they were happiest and least stressed just going down the path of least resistance by giving in to their urges. Happiness means different things to different people, so who are we to judge?
And who doesn't love having a clean car?