Car lover?

[Homeless]

Can you call yourself a car lover or enthusiast if you rarely or never wash or detail the vehicle?

On average I wash cars I own about once per year (that may be a high assessment) I love cars though.

Im not big on running them through a car wash either

Is there such a thing as a dirty car-loving enthusiast?

 

[Big Daddy]

I detail my car as often as she needs it, usually three - four times a year. Of course I rarely drive it in the winter so that gives me a good chance to really deatil her. I NEVER use car washes either! I think you should give your car a more often so that you are not considered a "dirty car enthusiast"!

 

[epj3]

I used to wash my e30 about once every week and wax every other week (dull non-clearcoat paint). I would do 'detail it' probably every month or 6 weeks. (meaning a wash, a wax, and vaccuming the interior.) I used to do all the above plus polishing before the wax every 3 months. Twice I used a full paint treatment (cleaner, wax, and gloss or whatever). The 2nd time involved a clay bar which did an absolutely amazing job.

I've washed the e34 about 4 times, waxed it about twice, but I keep the interior spotless. Paint is shitty and it turned out to not be worth my physical labor to wash, polish, and wax it. Never looked any better if I did 8 hours of detailing versus just a simple wash. I Lexol the seats every 3 months and steam vac'ed the carpet a few times.

In 3 months I'll be in the market for a new car between $12-$20k. Most likely a late 90's e36... but I guess it'll be a surprise at to which model

Big daddy why do you never use car washes? I use the no-touch ones, and only use the brush on the bumpers and wheels. (Bugs and brake dust) The one out here is fairly cheap and they filter the water like crazy. (Don't worry, I only use those car washes in the winter! Otherwise my german engineered Karcher pressure washer using water that passed through our water softener gives the cars a bath

 

[Big Daddy]

I never use car washes because of the harshness of the soaps and rinse agents. I do not live where it freezes much either and have the convience of a driveway, hot water and a heated garage! I guess if I lived in a harsh climate I would use the touchless!

 

[hosagod]

I'm on the other side of the spectrum, I can't STAND dirty cars.

I wash my car every week and I wax everytime I wash, it's a compulsive disorder I swear.

But after 2.5 yrs people still think my car is brand new because of how much my car glistens and shines.

 

[epj3]

I never use car washes because of the harshness of the soaps and rinse agents. I do not live where it freezes much either and have the convience of a driveway, hot water and a heated garage! I guess if I lived in a harsh climate I would use the touchless!

I agree, if I could wash it here and have it not freeze over that would be great, but I don't think my dad would be too happy if the outside faucet froze over You're spot on about the soaps though. It completely strips synthetic waxes I have used.

 

[Stitch]

Can you call yourself a car lover or enthusiast if you rarely or never wash or detail the vehicle?

On average I wash cars I own about once per year (that may be a high assessment) I love cars though.

Im not big on running them through a car wash either

Is there such a thing as a dirty car-loving enthusiast?

Dude, your user name scared me and I think it explained a lot.

 

[Homeless]

LOL sorry Stitch.

Its an old user name ive had for years, was giving to me by friends because I used to move home a lot. Never seemed to stay in one place too long and thus they called me Homeless.

 

[Kirby]

Big daddy why do you never use car washes? I use the no-touch ones, and only use the brush on the bumpers and wheels.

They are bad for ragtops. Even though the manual says not to use them, I tried it one time when the car was covered with yellow tree pollen. A little water leaked in between the front and rear windows when the high pressure sprayer was right there, about 6" away. That was the last time!

I try to wash the 330 when it looks dirty, whether it is every 2 weeks or 6 weeks.

 

[Stitch]

LOL sorry Stitch.

Its an old user name ive had for years, was giving to me by friends because I used to move home a lot. Never seemed to stay in one place too long and thus they called me Homeless.

Now I love your name, 'cz I highly value friendship.

I used to move every year, too. 7 times in the past 11 years and stayed 2 1/2 yrs in this apt till 17th of this month. I am moving again. I shall change mine to Homeless2.

 

[Stitch]

Carwash... I tried to schedule as much service as I can. The dealer washed mine for free and detailed like brand new , 'cz I didn't give them 5s for the questionare that BMWUSA offered after each service. BMWUSA sent me email & called to apologize, make sure the dealer providing the service listed on the service manual.
Guess what, I asked the service advisor on which car wash they were used. He said, "the one behind this building. You can stop by anytime for a carwash. It is free. We are happy to do it for you." Well! I never stopped by for just a wash.

 

[Homeless]

Now I love your name, 'cz I highly value friendship.

I used to move every year, too. 7 times in the past 11 years and stayed 2 1/2 yrs in this apt till 17th of this month. I am moving again. I shall change mine to Homeless2.

LOL, no Stitch is a cool user name, though that cartoon seems to have a lock on it now, Lilo and Stitch.

good luck with the move, are you staying in PA? Are you a Steeler fan?

 

[epj3]

They are bad for ragtops. Even though the manual says not to use them, I tried it one time when the car was covered with yellow tree pollen. A little water leaked in between the front and rear windows when the high pressure sprayer was right there, about 6" away. That was the last time!

I try to wash the 330 when it looks dirty, whether it is every 2 weeks or 6 weeks.

Yea I would imagine. They are also bad for 15 year old cars with bad sunroof seals. I really dont like using them, seems stupid to pay $3 for like 8 minutes of used water But it's better than having a dirty car in the winter.

 

[Stitch]

LOL, no Stitch is a cool user name, though that cartoon seems to have a lock on it now, Lilo and Stitch.

good luck with the move, are you staying in PA? Are you a Steeler fan?

Yeah, still in PA. Move from Malvern to North Wales, PA. Right now I drive 30 miles to work. After the move, it will be 4.5 miles. So I can save some on gas.

Football... Don't know much but I am a PA teams fan of all kind... Steeler is great. I love them...I was one of those participating in the design of Eagle Stadium though. Should know more when other ask me about Eagle. At least, I know the whole team is now disables ... to some level.

 

[MyHarley]

Don't you feel your car is an extension of yourself? Do you walk around all dirty and unkempt? I'm laughing.............

 

[epj3]

Do you walk around all dirty and unkempt? I'm laughing.............

Yes... [unsure]


At least, I sure look like it after working in the press.

 

[Homeless]

Don't you feel your car is an extension of yourself? Do you walk around all dirty and unkempt? I'm laughing.............

No, I think the problem is all down to my dad! He is a car cleaner freak, used to make me wash his car with him 2 or 3 times per week and though I enjoyed it at first, in the end I hated it. Now I look at it and it just doesnt bother me that its dirty.

Now, if my car got all stinky like my armpits do, I would surely wash it on a regular basis

 

[ivanr77]

I don't own a BMW--unfortuantely, but i "used" to wash my Mustang (which was black) at least once a week and detail/wax every other week sorta like epj3.

Considering I'm doing body work on my car right now and it's all in primer i don't wash it at all =)

but once it's going to be complete, chances are i'll wash it after everytime i drive it.

I know this sounds lame, but washing your car is also spending time with your car. After you take it out and enjoy it for however long you drive it you bring it home and clean her down so she'll look good next time you go out.

Similiarily, if you go to the Gym and work out, you don't come home, change and then go on a date--you take a shower first (i hope so). Cars are the same way, if you truly love what you drive and are passionate about it, you'll take care of your car as much as you take care of yourself. I know that sounds a bit extreme and i am making quite an overstatement, but thats just to prove my point. Your car, in essence, is a representation of your character. If you wash your car once a year, i bet your house/place of occupancy is dirty, you probably have 4 foot long hair, and you're pre-ordering dentures.

just my 2 cents.

 

[skandalous]

I detail my car about once a year. I don't have any place at my house to wash it and I'm too poor to pay for a carwash that's not $3 when I fill up a tank of gas. I love my car, though. I love a lot of cars. If I didn't care about it, I wouldn't be here on this board.

My car lives outside and is used as a mode of transportation.

Ron Jeremy is ugly as sin, and dirty to boot, but he still gets the job done.