If time allows, your own detailing is tough to beat.

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger Cleaning and Detailing Forum' started by NC20RT, Mar 7, 2021.

  1. NC20RT

    NC20RT Full Access Member

    Posts:
    904
    Likes Received:
    633
    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2021
    Location:
    Mountains of western NC
    I get a real good vibe when I'm done detailing my own cars. Others like having their cars done by the pros but who sits their butt down in front of their front grill and works on each and every opening?? Our Challengers sure have many. What detailer will examine the door jambs until every part is clean and the rubber seals soft and flexible? Even during my working years I always detailed my own cars. Compulsive behavior? Guilty! As I get older, and my muscles ache worse, I just take it slower and over a longer period of time. I have started this process now on my Challenger and after many years (health permitting) I hope to be rewarded with the same car show quality as my other rides. How can my T/A with 70,000 miles look so good after 20 years of ownership? A pro could have certainly done it but what a wonderful feeling that you did it yourself. The 'thumbs up' from others means even more. Even the convertible top does not leak to this day after a yearly protectant massage to the rubber seals. The crappy 16" chrome factory wheels? Yup, still have them (look great!), although my quality tire choices are getting real slim.
    I've heard about long lasting ceramic coatings, etc... but a quality carnauba wax finish is sweet!! Everyone has their favorites but Mother's and Griot's have been my personal choices, the latter (and more expensive) really bringing out the deep shine of darker colors. I really haven't seen that same 'pop' with the white however (Ford).
     
    Bacon Sandwich likes this.
  2. Katshot

    Katshot Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    280
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2020
    Location:
    Florida
    Years ago before my back and neck problems, I routinely detailed my own cars as well as my parents and in-laws vehicles. For many years I operated my own detailing business as well. I was always confident that no one would ever match the level of quality I put into my car. My change in physical abilities has caused me to accept a lesser quality job in many things. Not just auto detailing. Recently, I did wax my car with an orbital polisher. It came out pretty good all things considered. Luckily, these cars have far less trim to detail than my cars years ago so the actual detailing was greatly reduced.
     
    Bacon Sandwich and NC20RT like this.
  3. Wizard of Iz

    Wizard of Iz Full Access Member

    Posts:
    657
    Likes Received:
    393
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2015
    Location:
    Jacksonville, Florida

    I agree with everything you said!

    My back complains more and more, but I still get a lot of enjoyment out of doing my own detailing. It just means that I now do every 6 months what I used to do every 3 months.

    I'm still a Momma's boy and currently have a coat of Mother's Pure Carnauba Paste Wax on my Challenger. There's something about the depth and glow of carnauba wax that is hard to replicate with modern ceramic treatments.


    Kudos to you for maintaining the family fleet.

    One of the last things I did last year before the lockdown was to detail my now-departed father-in-law's Ford Edge. He always commented about how good my vehicles looked when we would visit and it did my heart good to put a shine on his car.
     
    NC20RT likes this.
  4. Bacon Sandwich

    Bacon Sandwich Full Access Member

    Posts:
    76
    Likes Received:
    24
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2020
    Location:
    Middle Georgia
    Not being able to walk for more than a few minutes at this point in my life I have spent a lifetime taking care of my cars for therapy (away from one wife or the other, take your pick), hell my Sears buffer lasted 22 years longer than those. I too just wax now, I had a show car and I spent two hours a day in the garage prepping for shows and it wore me out and ruined my love for the car because I couldn't enjoy just driving it. This car has been easier to care for being taller and smoother instead of low down and it's pretty easy to wash and dry, usually 2 hours even. The grill sucks but I have an air blaster for motorcycles I got on Amazon and it blows all the water out around that and the doors, trunk, taillights, etc. so it goes fast. I clay it every six months and with Car Guys Hybrid wax it shines great in the Georgia sun
     
    NC20RT likes this.
  5. 2017 Redline HC

    2017 Redline HC 2021 Durango RT

    Posts:
    1,105
    Likes Received:
    319
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    I guess it goes to show us old guys still like waxing off!!! :D
    Great stress release.
     
  6. Katshot

    Katshot Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    280
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2020
    Location:
    Florida
    :facepalm:

    At least I wash the car from time to time. I wax it occasionally and sometimes have the car wash throw a coat on it too. Full on detailing? That’s a thing of the past I’m afraid.