OT: No more auto detailers

[NotCranky]

Driving past the local golf courses today had to wonder why and the hell a guy can’t try to make a living washing cars.

[Coronita]

[quote=Blogstar]Driving past the local golf courses today had to wonder why and the hell a guy can’t try to make a living washing cars.[/quote]

I know. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

on site body shop has no relation to their ability to do a proper car wash. All complimentary dealer car washes are crap, they usually go through a machine and/or use some type of scrub brush. Just because they service expensive cars I would not assume they are not damaging it. Of course if you have a black car it is easy to see. After the wash, look at it in direct sunlight. Swirl marks will be obvious.

Reality is most consumers are clueless about car care. It never ceases to amaze me when I see guys wheel in their Porshes, Beemmers, Bentleys, etc into these commercial car washes.

[The-Shoveler]

LOL, My wife forced me to give the two cars a sponge bath this weekend. (no hose allowed LOL).

Well it rained last week and they were really dirty so she had a point.

[Trojan4Life]

BMW of Escondido gave me free unlimited car washes when I bought my CPO 2010 in May. I’d rather drive 10 minutes and get it done there with vacuuming and wheel dressing than do it myself.

[UCGal]

[quote=Blogstar]Driving past the local golf courses today had to wonder why and the hell a guy can’t try to make a living washing cars.[/quote]

I don’t disagree with your point… but there is a difference in the water source. Golf courses are using the reclaimed water (purple pipes.) So it’s not coming from the pottable (tap) water sources.

But, I agree, it seems ridiculous that water restrictions don’t effect golf courses.

[an]

[quote=flu][quote=AN][quote=flu]I think I’ll take my car in for warranty work again and let them deal with the wash next week… Heh heh…[/quote]That’s how I get my car wash :-). I bring my Mobile 1 oil and my own filter and have the dealer change my oil for $23-25 bucks and they wash and vacuum my car :-).[/quote]

Damn, $25 for labor isn’t bad at all.[/quote]
That’s what happen when you buy Japanese :-). Both Infiniti and Acura charges between $20-25 for labor + car wash + inspection. How much does BMW/Mercedes charge for labor? Do they even let you bring in your own parts? I know that Mercedes of San Diego doesn’t allow you to bring in your own brake pads and rotors.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=UCGal]LMAO – I have a black SUV that I wash maybe 2-3 times a year. I park in the garage mostly – so it isn’t as bad as it sounds… but obviously I’m not a car person. I take it to he place on Clairemont Dr. above Mission Bay, or I do it myself. Haven’t seen any issues with etching. But haven’t been looking.

My husband washes his truck every year, need it or not. But it’s coming up on 20 years old. LOL[/quote]

I also wash my cars a couple times per year.
I just drive them trough the carwash. But I keep the inside clean.

My cars are always silver because they look clean no matter what. There’s more to life than washing cars.

All else being equal, I’d rather have a beautiful house than a shinny new car. By beautiful, I don’t mean expensive, but well designed and tastefully appointed — something an architect would approve of.

[Anonymous]

There is something satisfying about having a nice looking well detailed car. However, if you get a black car, it can become an obsession. So avoid black at all costs unless you are willing to take on a new hobby.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=flu][quote=AN][quote=flu]I think I’ll take my car in for warranty work again and let them deal with the wash next week… Heh heh…[/quote]That’s how I get my car wash :-). I bring my Mobile 1 oil and my own filter and have the dealer change my oil for $23-25 bucks and they wash and vacuum my car :-).[/quote]

Damn, $25 for labor isn’t bad at all.[/quote]
That’s what happen when you buy Japanese :-). Both Infiniti and Acura charges between $20-25 for labor + car wash + inspection. How much does BMW/Mercedes charge for labor? Do they even let you bring in your own parts? I know that Mercedes of San Diego doesn’t allow you to bring in your own brake pads and rotors.[/quote]

Well, I wouldn’t know ,because outside of warranty and the free maintenance, I don’t usually stop by at the stealership…. Looks like I might end up going to Midnight Oil or OMS eventually or servicing myself…

[UCGal]

[quote=FlyerInHi]
All else being equal, I’d rather have a beautiful house than a shinny new car. By beautiful, I don’t mean expensive, but well designed and tastefully appointed — something an architect would approve of.[/quote]
I don’t think anyone would call my house beautiful or even tastefully appointed. My architect still approves. (He’s a cheapskate like me – he’s my husband.)

[an]

[quote=flu]Well, I wouldn’t know ,because outside of warranty and the free maintenance, I don’t usually stop by at the stealership…. Looks like I might end up going to Midnight Oil or OMS eventually or servicing myself…[/quote]That was my assumptions before too. However, after several services that I need done, I found out the dealership sometime is cheaper than the independent shops AND they give loaners, which is a big plus on services that takes >1 day. There’s no way you can find labor for oil change + car wash + inspection for $20-25. I recently needed to replace my power steering rack, it was leaking, and the dealer labor end up being cheaper than independent shops and I get a loaner too. So, I bought a refurb rack at RockAuto and have the dealer install it.

[an]

[quote=deadzone]There is something satisfying about having a nice looking well detailed car. However, if you get a black car, it can become an obsession. So avoid black at all costs unless you are willing to take on a new hobby.[/quote]It depends on who you are and how you view about car. My car is dark blue, so just as bad as black. However, I don’t really care. It only get washed 2-3 times a year. I view my car should be serving me, not me serving my car.

[NotCranky]

[quote=UCGal][quote=Blogstar]Driving past the local golf courses today had to wonder why and the hell a guy can’t try to make a living washing cars.[/quote]

I don’t disagree with your point… but there is a difference in the water source. Golf courses are using the reclaimed water (purple pipes.) So it’s not coming from the pottable (tap) water sources.

But, I agree, it seems ridiculous that water restrictions don’t effect golf courses.[/quote]
Forgot about the reclaimed water.
It doesn’t appear that detailers have stopped out here.

[TeCKis300]

Disappointing to hear how many of you don’t take pride in having a clean car. But perhaps are more particular elsewhere? In my eyes, having a clean car is just as important as keeping well groomed, hygienic, and dressing presentably – to a degree.

It’s all about balance in my eyes. I’m not saying I’m a neat freak, or wash my car every other weekend. But I do try to keep some level of decency across all my belongings. For as much my personal satisfaction, as well as maintaining a professional and presentable image.

[Author]

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