Is Detailing An Ego Thing????

Beemerboy

Beemerboy

Just One More Coat
I post on a few other forums. In some that I read, I get the feeling that detailing can be an ego thing.

The replies that I read seem very ego orientated, if you disagree it can escalate to a full blown argument.

Maybe its just me but I can't help but feeling that way!

I have certainly had my share of heated discussion here, with some members, but in the end I still respect them for their view. I don't see that the case in some detailing forums.

Thanks:D:D:D

Also this has nothing to do with that site that starts with an A...I post there very little so I have of impression of it.
 
Yeah, I think for some people it's definitely an ego thing. "Look at me, I'm using the most expensive products on the market even if they're not the best for the job, just to say I use high-dollar stuff!" or similar. That's why you see threads with a billion pics of someone using a brush to clean around lug nuts, polishing emblems with q-tips, and the like.
 
For me, I have to agree with Bigron62. Detailing is a money thing. Ego is a mindset that we (humans) all have to varying degrees. Inflated egos are like you know what, they can be found in every crowd.
 
There is no doubt that detailers are a differant breed. So much love and passion goes into our work. It has to. I think that passion eventually becomes obsession. For some detailers who believe so much in their work and believe in their mind that they are the best, its a hard pill to swallow to admit someone is better than them.
 
I think it's a few things, and it will vary depending on the person. For me, it's mainly the sense of accomplishment after a drastic transformation that has the owner's jaw on the ground. Or for my personal vehicle, a sense of pride in keeping it clean / in awesome shape. Plus the money thing helps too. :)
 
Thanks

The money is a given ...anyone that says they are detailing part or full time for the money, is a lie....IMO


What's I've read on some forums is nothing less than a brag session.

Shiny Lil Detlr you make my point in lots of ways, do I need to see the rubber gloves holding the paint gauge with the read out posted, on a car that's less than a few years old? A close up of the tail pipes before and after:rofl:rofl


Sorry :D:D

I'm fairly confidant in my detailing abilities, but I am humbled in lots of ways by what I learn here and in other forums all the time.
 
Autogeek said:
I think it's a few things, and it will vary depending on the person. For me, it's mainly the sense of accomplishment after a drastic transformation that has the owner's jaw on the ground. Or for my personal vehicle, a sense of pride in keeping it clean / in awesome shape. Plus the money thing helps too. :)
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Bingo!!!:D:D
 
My high school history teacher gave me the best advise I've ever been given when he asked me what I was going to do with my life and I didn't have an answer. He told me to find something that I love to do so much that I would do it for free...then figure out a way to make money at it. For me, the money is ok but could always be better. I'm doing what I love to do and that means more to me than the money. Plus not having some jerk boss breathing down my neck makes life a lot easier lol.
 
mrclean81 said:
My high school history teacher gave me the best advise I've ever been given when he asked me what I was going to do with my life and I didn't have an answer. He told me to find something that I love to do so much that I would do it for free...then figure out a way to make money at it. For me, the money is ok but could always be better. I'm doing what I love to do and that means more to me than the money. Plus not having some jerk boss breathing down my neck makes life a lot easier lol.
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This is true in lots of ways but, money is easier to live with than without.

Sometimes we have to do what it takes to make ends meet, that's not always what we want to do.

If you've found the two, good for you!:D
 
Autogeek said:
I think it's a few things, and it will vary depending on the person. For me, it's mainly the sense of accomplishment after a drastic transformation that has the owner's jaw on the ground. Or for my personal vehicle, a sense of pride in keeping it clean / in awesome shape. Plus the money thing helps too. :)
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TOTALLY agreed! I enjoy the process and actual work of detailing (it's good exercise, and it can be therapeutic), and I enjoy seeing the owner's reactions to the finished product.

As for my own vehicle, not only is there a sense of pride in keeping it clean, but it's knowing that because I'm doing what I'm doing, it will last longer which means I'll spend less in the long run than if I had to replace my vehicles more often.

I think we all want to feel like we're the best at what we do, but that's true of anyone in any trade. The reality is, though, that no matter how good someone is at something, there is ALWAYS someone else out there who is either better, or is an equal.

Especially where detailing is concerned, there are MANY different ways to approach each job, and while someone else may use different products, or their technique may differ from our own, it doesn't mean they aren't ultimately producing the same quality results. I think that's where many people get hung up, and it's kind of sad to see sometimes. If we were all just willing to listen to each other instead of attacking things that are different, we might just learn something new that we like better than the same old ways we've followed for years.
 
atkinsonair said:
I call them Detailing Divas.
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:cheers: to that!

They say that those that can see their accomplishments at the end of the day are happier in general. Detailing for me is a stress reliever and makes me feel good about myself by making someone else appreciate the work I have done!

Plus working full time sitting in an office most of the day it feels good to do some real work!
 
I'm certainly no 'professional' detailer by any means. I really do it because I enjoy it and because I love driving a car that looks brand new, clean and shiny.

However, I will say that with my day job, I often find myself so frustrated because I can work a whole 8-10 hour day and not get anything accomplished...so I truly look forward to coming home and cleaning my car and actually 'seeing' physical results. I really feel like I've accomplished something.

I can certainly see where many people have big egos about detailing and how 'good' they "think" they are...or what great products they use. I guess I'm not that type of person. I do what I do because I want to, I do the best at it that I can, and I always know there is somebody out there better at it than me and I really don't care.

And speaking of egotistical people...I must say, I've not seen anyone here who fits that stereotype. Or if they do, they don't show it. Everyone on DC always seems to be so down-to-earth and helpful...willing to share tips and guide us 'amateurs'.:bigups
 
I know I detailed my Black truck because of pride. I really loved that Black truck. When I got rid of it I purchased a vehicle I did not love. Now that I have a truck and something that I like detailing has become a pride thing again. It is not all pride because accomplishment is also another item to consider. Better care means longevity and higher resale so money must be considered in the equation. Yet, it all boils down to, we as detailers only do what we want. I want a clean truck!
 
Egos get involved in everything.....some want to know it all, some want to tell everyone they know it all even if they do not.
 
I must be the odd man out. Its not important to me to have the best looking paint or post pictures of my detailing work. I'm just car crazy and like doing everthing connected with the car hobby. You can never learn too much and should be willing to share that knowledge with others. From building to repairing them and passing along what I learn to the younger generation that are eager to learn is very rewarding to me. I'm not knocking those that post a lot of pictures of their details , it's just not me.
 
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