Sometimes I think every car forum has at least one of "those guys"

"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic) 06/19/2015 at 22:54 • Filed to: None

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You know, that one guy who insists on being Enthusiaster than you. You wash your car every other weekend? PSH! Enthusiastist washes his car every single day, even if he didn’t drive it. He also does a full interior-out detailing every monday at 5pm PRECISELY (the light isn’t right at any other time).

He never gets gas without giving his car a full wipe-down with the detailing wipes he special-ordered from Sweden.

He would never allow his car to be outside when it rains, and his garage is both temperature and humidity controlled.

But who’s going to be laughing when it’s time to sell, and Enthusiaster’s car brings in a whopping $500 more in resale?

It’s not just about cleanliness, either. Do you enjoy a sporting drive from time to time? Enthusiaster takes a perfect racing line through every corner. Even in the drive-through.

Did you remove your spare to save weight? Enthusiaster stripped everything but one seat, the steering wheel, and the shift lever from his interior, and frequently bemoans “useless bloat” like Air Conditioning, a radio, or windows that roll down. Heat Stroke is the mark of the true enthusiast.

Impressed with the ultra-fast shift times of your dual-clutch transmission? Enthusiaster can shift a manual even faster, while double-clutching every upshift and heel-toeing every downshift. Anyone who does not do these things should just go buy a Prius, because clearly they don’t know how to drive.

And if you ARE granny-shifting, not double-clutching like you should, you probably also don’t let your car idle in the driveway for 30 minutes to make sure the engine is at the correct operating temperature.

Nor do you stop every 25 miles to make sure your tire pressure is correct. If the right front goes down by 2psi you could easily send it over a curb!

Has it been more than 15 minutes since you checked your oil? Turn in your car keys, you automotive SADIST!

...

So, Oppo. Have you encountered people like this?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:01

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No, I don’t talk to weirdos.

jkm7680 > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:02

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VwVortex.

ttyymmnn > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:05

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Like this guy?

scoob > jkm7680 06/19/2015 at 23:09

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Is that place really that bad? It seems people really like to shit on it lol.

Trunk Impaired 318 > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:10

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sony1492 > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:20

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Honda-Tech

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:25

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You know what I’ve been thinking? That I’m that guy around here and I feel really bad about it. On the bright side, my anger control has been getting better so there’s that.

Anyway, since I do feel this way right now, instead of starting a thread all about it, let me just post right here. I’m sorry. I’m sorry to be THAT guy. Last year, I literally yelled at a kid for climbing onto my car and I called him names. A kid. How immature is that? Didn’t think anything of it until I wrecked my car two days later after that. I apologized to the girl I know in that family and I think she passed it on. Still, it got me thinking: I’m a douche. I hope to God that everyone here can forgive me and give me a second chance. Will you please do that, Oppo?

jkm7680 > scoob 06/19/2015 at 23:25

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Don’t go to the Mk4 section if you value your safety.

CammedCTSV > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:25

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Through my travels for work with the duPont Registry, “that guy” is more of an older retiree thing and limited to show queen older muscle cars. Do German clubs have such useless patriarchs?

Ci@CI, the disciple of Bangle > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:32

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We have a couple of them on Oppo+. It doesn’t help my hatred of them is deeply personal too.

scoob > jkm7680 06/19/2015 at 23:34

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Now I’m going there.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:36

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75-year-old retiree wiping down his Prevost motor coach in his Speedo.

Svend > TheOnelectronic 06/19/2015 at 23:38

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Granted I’m very particular about our car but I am with other peoples cars that are left in my trust, be it a Skoda Mk1 Fabia vRS to a Ford Mk2 Focus RS. But its pretty much the cleanliness of the vehicle. I moley coddle them, they are cars and sit outside. Engine bay stuff gets checked periodically but that’s it.

jkm7680 > scoob 06/19/2015 at 23:44

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RIP Scoob.

AM3R shamefully returns > jkm7680 06/19/2015 at 23:45

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Haha can you send me a link of a really bad vwvortex thread? I could use a good laugh. One day I should just post a really nooby question and see what happens..

AM3R shamefully returns > Svend 06/19/2015 at 23:49

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Svend, random question. I want to get more serious about my detailing. Currently I'm a 2 bucket wash/clay guy. I'm thinking next step is wax, but I'm interested in polishing so I can get rid of some swirl marks. Any recommended products/tools?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 06/20/2015 at 00:00

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wat

lucky's pepper > AM3R shamefully returns 06/20/2015 at 00:08

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Mothers Machine Glaze + orbital polisher + medium polishing pad.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 00:10

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You mean that guy??? Pffffff, he’s an amateur. Let me tell you what I do.

TheOnelectronic > Svend 06/20/2015 at 00:22

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I have no problem at all with people who put care into their car, it’s just the guys who have to one-up everyone else about it.

Steve in Manhattan > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 00:26

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Don’t know about people like that, but I am as much of an enthusiast as any of them. I rent 2-3 cars per year. But I go over every one of them with a fine-toothed comb. Next time I will do an Oppo Review.

And I can get something more exotic - starting to use RelayRides . There are a couple real Rangies in there, and a Tesla S. And a Honda S2000 methinks. So who is the bigger enthusiast? Something who drives every day, or someone who goes nuts 10 or 20 days a year when they have a car they really want to drive.

gas head > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 00:27

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I want to come clean here. When I rent a car I still park it away from everyone so no one parks near it. I even garage them! What’s wrong with me?

Tareim - V8 powered > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 06/20/2015 at 00:32

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I will not forgive you as you’ve done nothing wrong, I would have yelled at a kid too if they were climbing on my car

AM3R shamefully returns > lucky's pepper 06/20/2015 at 00:45

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School me on orbital polishers, worth getting a more expensive one or will one of the cheaper ones get the job done?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Tareim - V8 powered 06/20/2015 at 00:50

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Calling him a bitch though? That was too far.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2015 at 00:50

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Let me pull up the old thread real quick.

EDIT: Behold! My pikestaffedness! http://oppositelock.kinja.com/just-a-rant-do…

Svend > AM3R shamefully returns 06/20/2015 at 00:55

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There are several routes.

One is by hand but its harder work, benefits is its the cheapest route.

Two is by machine:-

a) is by DA (Dual Action) aka orbital polisher, great starter as it oscillates reducing risk of holograms and even burn through.

b) is by rotary, this one is great for cutting work but needs a degree of practice to operate for a newbie so as not to inflict holograms, etc...

Pads and polishes are a mine field.

As Lucky’s pepper says, a DA+medium pad+a filler glaze to start with and then work up to a polish with more cutting action to remove the swirls.

Svend > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 01:02

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So true, though I’d say the worst ones are the ones who like to one up others but have no idea what they are talking about as they were told down the pub by a mate of a mate who misread somewhere it was true.

AM3R shamefully returns > Svend 06/20/2015 at 01:05

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Any recommended DA’s that aren't crazy expensive? Always appreciate the advice my friend.

TheOnelectronic > gas head 06/20/2015 at 01:20

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I seem to be strange in that I try to treat rental cars well. It’s somebody else’s car!

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 01:29

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Oppo has accreted more than just one of those guys over the last year or so. It’s good and encouraging to see posts like this that call them out and attempt to restore sanity.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 02:03

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“Did you remove your spare to save weight? Enthusiaster stripped everything but one seat, the steering wheel, and the shift lever from his interior, and frequently bemoans “useless bloat” like Air Conditioning, a radio, or windows that roll down. Heat Stroke is the mark of the true enthusiast.”

I did exactly this in a 1997 monte carlo LS. Why? Because autocross, bro!

TheOnelectronic > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/20/2015 at 02:08

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But did you remove the entire dashboard? If not, that’s a lot of weight savings you left on the table.

Svend > AM3R shamefully returns 06/20/2015 at 02:16

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Check out Autogeek in the U.S. and similar forums, many have discount codes for being a forum member (Detailing World forum has 10% off on many manufacturers sites and resellers), look for a Ketsrel or Deltalyo (or similar).

Something like any one of these (bar the Rupes, Festool and Skorpio which are good but expensive for a first buy).

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/shop/power-too…

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 02:38

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Yup, and they seem to pop up in various enthusiast circles, not just cars. Big question is, why do I let them bug me?

Also, they remind me of this character:

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night…

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 03:49

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Most of it. I had an instrument cluster, a steering wheel, a driver’s seat, and a shifter.

Atomic Buffalo > gas head 06/20/2015 at 04:51

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I put Premium in the dealer loaner. Which I drive gently and as little as possible. (Mostly because it's a joyless experience, but still.)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheOnelectronic 06/20/2015 at 06:42

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Did you remove your spare to save weight? Enthusiaster stripped everything but one seat, the steering wheel, and the shift lever from his interior, and frequently bemoans “useless bloat” like Air Conditioning, a radio, or windows that roll down

I’ll admit to being that guy. Because racecar.

Tareim - V8 powered > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 06/20/2015 at 15:07

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that’s probably fairly weak to what I would use

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Tareim - V8 powered 06/21/2015 at 08:42

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Oh. Well, I feel bad about it. He was only a little kid though. Still, could have been worse.

lucky's pepper > AM3R shamefully returns 06/21/2015 at 11:35

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If it’s only for occasional use on your personal car(s), then no, don’t buy a spendy one, just get something inexpensive. Don’t be cheap on the pads or polish though. As Svend said the great thing about an orbital polisher is that it minimizes the chance of burn through compared to a buffer.

NoneOfYourBiz > TheOnelectronic 06/23/2015 at 07:38

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There’s always a bigger fish.

Compared to the guy you just described, I am not “that guy.”

Compared to most people? I’m probably that guy.

I wash my car at least once a week; if I’m going on a date, it gets detailed before.

I have two buckets with Gamma Seal lids so I can “mobile detail” in winter.

In summer, I’m likely to use a single bucket and Optimum No-Rinse for a rinseless or waterless wash.

I have a lot of Korean made 70/30 polyester/polyamide microfiber towels.

I park outside though so you can take away my “that guy” card.

I don’t detail to net me an extra $500 on resale, though that’s a benefit.

I detail because it keeps the tin worm away longer. I detail because it’s a matter of pride. I detail because you pick up on issues like fluid leaks more quickly against the backdrop of a clean vehicle.

My 2006:

NoneOfYourBiz > AM3R shamefully returns 06/23/2015 at 07:45

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Get a 6-inch dual action (DA) polisher. The 10-inch variety are “wax spreaders” and nothing more. You want something you can use a polishing compound with, then switch buffing pads and apply a synthetic sealant (aka “wax” aka “last step protectant/product” LSP) with.

This one is highly recommended in the detailing community and, oddly, is about half the price of many others:

http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-…

functionoverfashion > TheOnelectronic 06/23/2015 at 08:50

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Bimmerfest is like that sometimes. Someone buys an e46 and comes in like, “Hey guys I need to address a couple things, maybe make the car a little faster? Can you help me?” And a few people will jump in like, “You NEED to replace your ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM first and THESE CARS are PERFECTLY TUNED from the factory you will need to spend your LIFE’s SAVINGS to make them go any faster or better than they were made by God Himself the Germans.”

On the other hand, there’s a member on bimmerfest who writes the most amazing posts, like if someone says “my car overheated” he (or she? yeah, ok he) will give that person literally 25 links to threads where people have had the same problem. Want to know what oil to use? 25 links to oil discussion threads. Recently, someone asked about distilled water vs. tap water, and was presented with a chart detailing the chemical properties of the municipal water supply where they live (NYC). So, there are good people out there on the forums - even in the bimmer world!

AM3R shamefully returns > NoneOfYourBiz 06/23/2015 at 13:11

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Thanks! I know Griots garage makes quality stuff, I'll definitely look into that.

TheOnelectronic > functionoverfashion 06/23/2015 at 17:25

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A lot of the examples I drew from while writing this post came from BMW forums.

TheOnelectronic > NoneOfYourBiz 06/23/2015 at 17:28

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I’m not going to lie, that’s an amazingly good looking car for an 06.

I’m mostly picking on the people who take it way too far. The interior-out detailing example was only slightly exaggerated. I did once see a guy on a (BMW) forum recommend that the only way to properly clean a car was to remove all the interior panels and detail them. He suggested doing this often.

NoneOfYourBiz > TheOnelectronic 06/24/2015 at 09:52

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*blush* Why thank you.

There’s a line between “detailing” and “restoration/maintenance.” I think removing panels crosses that line...and might be a sign of some pretty serious un-diagnosed OCD.

Larry Kosilla of AmmoNYC (high end detailing shop) posts great how-to videos on detailing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sqi1…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT10-b…

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him take panels off. I draw the line there unless I’m replacing parts that have rusted underneath a panel .