Where it is raining, and has been for 7 days.
Hello everyone. I've been lurking around this awesome forum for a few months, and finally decided to join. I am amazed at how nice and supportive everyone here is. I am a member on a homebrewing forum (yup, I make beer), and while they are for the most part good people, there have been major issues over the last few years with people getting into spitting matches over the dumbest things. I have never seen any of that here, and am really impressed.
Anyway, back to how I got here...I came to the conclusion a few months ago that I should start searching for good, tested detailing knowledge on products, instead of winging it, and buying what turned out to be pretty crappy products. I have one heck of a stockpile of products that I'm not impressed with, and got tired of wasting money, and then time screwing around with stuff that doesn't work. So on my quest for product info, I came across this forum, totally by accident, and have been hooked as a lurker ever since. Until today.
What I didn't realize was how much more there is to this than the products. You all have really opened my eyes.
About me: I'm in my late twenties, and have been taking care of my family's cars (I wouldn't call it detailing per se) since before I was old enough to drive. Dealing with Maine winters is a major detailing nightmare due to months of below freezing weather, unbelievable amounts of salt, and "sand" on the road that truly resembles gravel. It is bad enough that most people around here don't even attempt to wash in the winter, because it is almost not even worth it. There is actually a local theory that letting the salt stay on a vehicle is better than getting it wet while trying to wash it off, and thus activating it's corrosive properties. I used to adhere to this line of thinking since my 1999 Accord's paint is in pretty rough shape after 12 winters. Not to say I didn't try. Then I had my epiphany.
This past October, my wife and I bought a 2010, barely used Camry to replace her little 2 door Saturn, as our son was going to be born in February. The purchase of my first new (almost) car got my desire to get serious about detailing going. I am currently at the wash (without scratching), clay, seal stage, but, when funds allow, I really want to get a PC. The dealer induced swirls/scratches (yes, it is that bad) on the Camry are driving me bonkers, and I have learned the hard way that it is sometimes better to leave them alone unless you have the proper equipment to safely remove them, which I currently do not.
So there it is. I'm here to learn, and this seems like a great place to do just that. Sorry that was so long, but now everyone knows my detailing "deal" :smile:
