Observations on the detailing world...six months in

[Randyvous]

Six months ago, if you had asked me what detailing was, I would have said er..um...washing your car? In typical fashion, after getting a new (to me anyway) car, I set out in quest of maintaining the perfect finish. Since I am more by nature a lurker than a “how do I” kind of person, I read. A lot. Search is a powerful feature when you dare to use it.


I’m a big football fan and enjoy reading Peter King’s SI columns, and I particularly enjoy the “10 things I think” section. So as a nod to Mr. King, here are my “things I think” about forums, compulsive cleaning, and the pursuit of the “perfect shine”.

1 I think a post labeled, “I tried <blank> and OMG!” will increase sales by X amount.
2 I think if you say you like Zaino on some sites, even Hester Prynn won’t talk to you anymore.
3 I think if you “dislike” Zaino, etc, etc, see number 2.
4 I think the mentality of some is: Boutique = superior, OTC = inferior, could be true...what do I know anyway. BUT, I don’t like it when some condescend to those who like or must use OTC.
5 I think it sucks to be Charlie Wenzel right now...(even mentioning his name has gotta be worth a few dozen hits)
6 I think some of our wives say they are ok with our obsession, but sometimes...they aren’t. It’s up to us to know what those sometimes are.
7 I think mullets are kinda stupid and I am from the south, the last mullet stronghold on earth.
8 I think it’s stupid to argue with someone over what brand of car care product is better.
9 I think having no cool sig and no cool avatar kinda makes me unique.
10 I think Bob has great customer service skills, and I think he needs more members on this forum.

So there you have it, my view from the outside looking in..feel free to fold, spindle and mutilate.

[Bob]

:lol: Very good! But who is Dan?

[Randyvous]

Oops, sorry Bob! :oops:

[Bob]

Oops, sorry Bob! :oops:
:lol: It's alright, the name throws a lot off, I get called Dan often actually. ;)
-
"and I think he needs more members on this forum. " I've been struggling with this one for a while now. I just can't get seem to spread the word to the righ people I guess? :(

[Randyvous]

Detailing forums are funny little squirrels as I'm learning, that develop personalities over time. Have you considered making the forum view only for members? It worked quickly for that other place...although doing that has it's own implications, I suppose.

Oh well, I'll leave that to better minds...I'll go ponder my polishes! :wink:

[Bob]

Detailing forums are funny little squirrels as I'm learning, that develop personalities over time. Have you considered making the forum view only for members? It worked quickly for that other place...although doing that has it's own implications, I suppose.
Oh well, I'll leave that to better minds...I'll go ponder my polishes! :wink:
Well, I like the lurkers to be able to read the forums. It is setup so that you must be registered to post though. :)

[wytstang]

I only became more intrested in proper detailing when I had knee surgery back in April. It opened my eyes to a whole new world seeing as how I had nothing but time on my hands. Since I couldn't do much but wash my car it kinda fell into my lap (well not really it would of hurt). I'm glad I joined here Bob (and Brad at the time) have done a great job setting up there site and carrying great detailing products.

[wytstang]

2 I think if you say you like Zaino on some sites, even Hester Prynn won’t talk to you anymore.
3 I think if you “dislike” Zaino, etc, etc, see number 2.

Agreed some wont even consider a product being better then Zaino and vise versa.

[manuels_madness]

I like your comment about Zaino. I think everyone should try it. Its a good product but you shouldn't limit yourself to it. I bought Zaino and now i have a mountain of other products too. I started with Meguiars then went to Zaino and now I just have so many to pick from in the garage. It's great. I'm looking to add some Poor Boy's, Clearkote and Chemical Guys to the mix. Why not I got everything else already. The more I experiment the more knowledge I gain. This is why I'm a big fan of samplers. :D

[Bob]

I like your comment about Zaino. I think everyone should try it. Its a good product but you shouldn't limit yourself to it. I bought Zaino and now i have a mountain of other products too. I started with Meguiars then went to Zaino and now I just have so many to pick from in the garage. It's great. I'm looking to add some Poor Boy's, Clearkote and Chemical Guys to the mix. Why not I got everything else already. The more I experiment the more knowledge I gain. This is why I'm a big fan of samplers. :D
That is the truth!

[Dan]

I like your comment about Zaino. I think everyone should try it. Its a good product but you shouldn't limit yourself to it. I bought Zaino and now i have a mountain of other products too. I started with Meguiars then went to Zaino and now I just have so many to pick from in the garage. It's great. I'm looking to add some Poor Boy's, Clearkote and Chemical Guys to the mix. Why not I got everything else already. The more I experiment the more knowledge I gain. This is why I'm a big fan of samplers. :D

Amen to all of that! Keep and open mind and try out anything/everything until you find what you like best :thumbsup:

[Randyvous]

I like your comment about Zaino. I think everyone should try it. Its a good product but you shouldn't limit yourself to it. I bought Zaino and now i have a mountain of other products too. I started with Meguiars then went to Zaino and now I just have so many to pick from in the garage. It's great. I'm looking to add some Poor Boy's, Clearkote and Chemical Guys to the mix. Why not I got everything else already. The more I experiment the more knowledge I gain. This is why I'm a big fan of samplers. :D


Zaino has it's place, some people love it, some people hate it. To each his (or her) own, I truly believe. Whatever works best for YOU is THE best product!

I would certainly agree with experimentation. I think it's a natural process most avid detailers go through. "My" products are good, but "your" products might be even better! The holy grail product might just be the next one I buy!

I think there is also a maturation for most people with respect to detailing products, where you become more immune to the hype. (I'm not there yet, but moving in the right direction.) I believe you "settle in" with a core group of products which provide the most pleasing results to you.

This "winnowing down" of products can be caused by internal influences (the garage door will no longer shut) or external influences (your wife or significant other produces a signed ultimatum with no ambiguous terms).

This is where your comment about samples plays very well, they are less expensive (more easily justifiable), smaller (thus more easily hidden from above mentioned external influences), and well heck, one of these samples is gonna turn my '72 Pacer into a 350Z, right? Right??

Just kidding around guys...thanks for reading.

[manuels_madness]

Hey Randyvous thanks for your input, I agree with a lot of whatyou said. Honestly I don't think people should hate on any product. Zaino for some reason gets the extremeist with the die hard fan boys and haters of it.

I think you are right as soon as I settle for one thing and get good with a product I may not switch up as often in the future (keyword is often).

By the way Randyvous when you find the wax or polish that turns your 72 pacer into a 350Z please send me the sample and let Bob know so he can supply it to us all! :D

[Bob]

:thumbsup:

[Randyvous]

By the way Randyvous when you find the wax or polish that turns your 72 pacer into a 350Z please send me the sample and let Bob know so he can supply it to us all! :D

You got it, my friend! Of course, if it can do that, the price point would put the Zymol Vintage Glaze to shame. :lol:

[The_ViCE]

Zaino, Poorboy's CG' 4* wolfgang etc.. are all top notch brands.. what funny is that less than 2% of the detail world knows about them... It is only in forums where the Zealous detailers spread the word & 100% of the time.. yell a brand name. There are thousands of Shops that have always gotten the job done with brand names we never heard of. But becasue of the Forums we tend to think that these are the products that everyone needs to have.

[Dan]

Very true Carlos!

LMAO "Z"ealous detailers :twisted:

[ManiZ]

By the way Randyvous when you find the wax or polish that turns your 72 pacer into a 350Z please send me the sample and let Bob know so he can supply it to us all! :D

I'm looking for one that would turn my 350Z into either an Enzo or a Veyron :D