How long does it take you to machine polish?

[Yes, Accumulator is veering even farther off-topic again.. :o ]

Stokdgs said:
... I was thinking along the lines of actual hands-on teaching, mentoring, etc...
This is how I learned all of this starting at age 10..
Dan F
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See how our experiences can color our views?!? I`m basically 100% self-taught at this stuff and, almost certainly as a result of that, I simply don`t relate to the one-on-one/hands-on training approach! Seriously, I learned to polish paint by sitting and thinking for hours, same as I`ve figured out almost everything else in life (to the extent that I have :o ).

Well, I *did* learn about undercoating/rust proofing from a guy who talked me through the steps on some jobs he was doing.

Around age 10 I was using Mirror Glaze stuff on my Schwinn Apple Crate :D And Chrome Polish from the local Pure Oil station. Never even thought to ask somebody for advice about it...
 
I remember putting kit paste wax on my bike. It was a black and white scoot 23. Banana seat, high rise handlebars, had a crossbar on the handlebars where your friend could sit. We would slide our baseball gloves over the handlebars and head to the baseball field. I remember seeing that pretty red schwin bike in western auto. I wanted that one for Xmas but I guess mama and daddy couldn’t afford it. I see they still sell kit wax
 
Accumulator said:
Good heavens..."How Long?" threads like this remind me why I could *NEVER* be a Pro.
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That, and the anal-retentive obsessive-compulsive detailer use of cotton swabs (AKA, Q-Tips) in the nooks and crannies of a vehicle adds a "non-value process" to cleaning and detailing because "no one looks in or sees those areas."
RIGHT!! How many of you Autopians have seen cars at car shows with wax or polish residue in panel seams, on trim, or on emblems. They certainly are not OCD Autopians. Or as one of my clients have said, "There is a fine line between being truly dedicated and just crazy obsessed."
 
Lonnie- I don`t know how *anybody* cleans much of *anything* without using a collection of brushes and a lot of swabs. House, cars, anything. I hear lots of "oh, I don`t worry about that" and I think to myself..[you can guess ;) ]

How do people spot soon-to-be-serious issues unless things are clean? Even if you don`t care about the appearance..I mean, the underneath of the Tahoe is Surface Rust City (just "big gauge" stuff like the frame that`ll never really rust out if kept clean), but I still keep it clean enough that I can spot problems developing.
 
Lonnie said:
That, and the anal-retentive obsessive-compulsive detailer use of cotton swabs (AKA, Q-Tips) in the nooks and crannies of a vehicle adds a "non-value process" to cleaning and detailing because "no one looks in or sees those areas."
RIGHT!! How many of you Autopians have seen cars at car shows with wax or polish residue in panel seams, on trim, or on emblems. They certainly are not OCD Autopians. Or as one of my clients have said, "There is a fine line between being truly dedicated and just crazy obsessed."
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Great Post, Lonnie !

Totally agree about some vehicles at car shows and especially those auctions !!! You see some really good ones and some really bad ones, all oiled down to shine but the lights do not hide...

I used to buy that huge pack of Q-Tips boxes from Costco, but after I got the VX5000 Steamer, my Q-tip usage went way down..
Nothing like pressurized Steam to really get things out of those impossible places..

But I STILL keep a supply of Q-Tips and whenever I find those really Pointed ones, I buy a lot of those for back up..

Yet, another reason, why this craft takes so long to do... I still love the feeling of driving in my just washed vehicle ! It even seems to run better, no ?? :)

Most Clients will never know all the places we looked and found all kinds of things "out of place", but we know.. And that`s what drives us !

I tell Clients all the time - Please don`t focus on the dirt, etc., in your vehicle and feel bad, embarrassed about it".. I am here to just "Clean and Reorganize".. "You are going to love what you don`t see next time"... :)
Dan F
 
JustJesus- IMO the important stuff I`ve conveyed to you was *NOT* Detailing-related ;)

I still see Autopia.Org as being, to a great extent and maybe just to me... a Trojan Horse, where ostensibly Detail Related stuff can lead to discussions about what`s really important.
 
Accumulator said:
JustJesus- IMO the important stuff I`ve conveyed to you was *NOT* Detailing-related ;)

I still see Autopia.Org as being, to a great extent and maybe just to me... a Trojan Horse, where ostensibly Detail Related stuff can lead to discussions about what`s really important.
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Absolutely agree with you on that. It`s partly why I spend less time on the forums and more time doing other things. I really like what you wrote on some other thread, about reserving certain blocks of time to be on the forum, and whatnot. I really like the idea and will try and implement it myself soon. My to-do list is getting long. I`ve taken a few things OFF the list this week, so that helps!

Many thanks, Accumulator, for the detailing related things, AS WELL AS, the more important, non-detailing related :)
 
JustJesus- Heh heh, thanks for the confirmation :D

And yeah...gotta keep those to-do lists manageable, can only do so much and if you spread yourself too thin something`s gonna suffer.
 
Dan you already have. I`ve only been doing this hobby for 4 years. There are a bunch of guys here, like you, that have taught me a ton. I`m like a lap dog when you guys post. I feel like I`m stealing from you guys. But then I figured out, you all actually enjoy helping the newbs who want the advice.

Stokdgs said:
I hear you, Brother !!!
Just wish I could leave all I have learned to someone/others, so their path may be easier, etc.,..
Dan F
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glfnaz said:
Dan you already have. I`ve only been doing this hobby for 4 years. There are a bunch of guys here, like you, that have taught me a ton. I`m like a lap dog when you guys post. I feel like I`m stealing from you guys. But then I figured out, you all actually enjoy helping the newbs who want the advice.
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My Amigo!
I am so glad to hear that you we have helped you out !
Congrats on sticking with this Labor of Love for 4 years ! Bet you are doing some awesome work ! I am proud of you !!

No, you will never be stealing something we give away freely.. :)

I remember a time in life when about everyone for some reason, closely guarded their livelihood, etc., and did not want to share anything about it, apparently, because they were scared you would "steal" their job from them..

I used to to think - wow - you are that unsure of your abilities that you have to hide your work so no one will take it from you???
Some people even today are still stuck in that mode..

Well, I`m not ! Never was.. Never will be..

Did some people take the knowledge I gave them and use it against me or try to take an unfair advantage ?
Yep, some did...
Did it bother me or have any effect on me or my job? Not one bit...

People are always going to remember those for what they gave back, rather than for what they took... Like the Savior... :)
Thanks again, Glfnaz !
Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
I remember a time in life when ..[certain individuals].. were scared you would "steal" their job from them..

I used to to think - wow - you are that unsure of your abilities that you have to hide your work so no one will take it from you???
Some people even today are still stuck in that mode..
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Heh heh, there was a guy here like that! IIRC he wouldn`t even say what stuff he used lest somebody steal the Secret Sauce that made him Special. Just imagine what it`s like to live with somebody who processes Life that way!
 
re-tired said:
the length of time it takes me anymore--

Makes me not want to do it again
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I`ll readily confess that I`m the *EXACT* same way. About anything and everything Detailing related. Yeah..Autopian Heresy and Gearhead_1 has understandably taken me to task for it :o

But as they say in the Military, I don`t have to like it, I just have to do it. Life`s full of such stuff if you, uhm...pick up your own brass.
 
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