Old dog, new tricks..

[ChevyZ71LTZ]

Hello everyone!

Greetings from the rust belt! I've been a long time lurker of this website and finally decided to join. Not sure how much I'll be able to help out, but I'm looking forward to having some discussions! I joined Meguiars Online last year and since then I've been wanting to learn even more.

I've been detailing cars as a hobby since I was about 12 or so. My Dad taught me the old fashioned ways of carnuba wax and good ol' elbow grease. Before I had a "real" job, I used to detail his friends cars/babysit/mow lawns as a way to make money for my first car. I've used literally dozens of polishes and waxes over the years and look forward to trying even more thru suggestions from this website. I just grabbed some Auto Glym HD wax on clearance at Walmart... I swear it's a sickness....

Over the years, I've always taken care of my vehicles...I guess that's just something that is hardwired into some people...others, not so much

My Dad has a 1951 Mercury coupe that's a show car, but also kind of a daily driver. My Dad isn't the type to keep "trailer/garage queens" so he does drive it on occasion. It's stock except for the interior and it's standard on the column (and that's how I learned how to drive standard!) It was repainted long before he got it - base coat, clear coat and the paint is so soft that it will scratch from breathing on it the wrong way! I still owe Shane (CieraSL) many thanks for his help with getting that car perfect!!!

The other vehicle is a 1986 Chevy Blazer dragster. It's something Dad enjoys tinkering with and I race it. It's a nice partnership...Dad's the "go" and I'm the "show!"

And of course my daily driver is a silver 2006 Z71 Chevy Tahoe. I also keep up my Mom's 2010 LTZ Tahoe.

Well, that's all, I just wanted to say hello and I look forward to being a part of the Auto Geek Community!!!

Kyla

[CieraSL]

Hey Kyla! Guess I'll be the first to say to Autogeek Online!

[jimmyjam]

Hi Kyla,
Welcome to AGO!!! It's awesome to hear the love of detailing is so strong in you, and the great relationship you have with your folks.

[tuscarora dave]

Welcome to the site Kyla. Nice introduction post. That sounds like a lot of fun drag racing a Blazer.

[SeaJay's]

Welcome to the addiction!

[dad07]

to the AGO Family! Glad to have you with us!

[CEE DOG]

Welcome to AutoGeek Kyla

[BobbyG]

To Autogeek Online Kyla!

It's always nice to see new members but especially those that have been lurking on the sidelines for so long....

I must admit I like introductions like yours. It really gives the group a nice picture of your likes, skills, and experience which is what this forum is all about.

Autogeek is a friendly community comprised of members that cover a broad spectrum of automotive skills that are always ready with an answer or recommendation just for the asking.

Regarding our age group, the youngest member that I'm aware of is 15 and the oldest is.....lets just say I'm 58 and we have a few veterans here slightly "more seasoned" than me! This should give you a snapshot of the depth here on The Autogeek Online Forum

Autogeek's Tech Support and Customer Service are second to none and their product's ain't all that bad either!

[mdb917]

Welcome Kyla!

I'm in agreement with others that your introduction is well done.

As for your comment about not being able to help others, it is my considered opinion that everyone can learn from and teach others. I'm probably in the same boat as you are in that I'm a really good hobbyist detailer. I enjoy having a super clean car. Yes, it is an addiction, but a good one.

Driving a column stick shift. Oh my, talk about bringing back memories. My dad had a 3 speed on the column Olds F-85. That is the car I learned to drive with so I can relate to that experience.

I was thrilled to see that your father enjoys his Merc by taking it out on the road occasionally. To me that is half the fun of owning a vehicle, driving it.

[ChevyZ71LTZ]

Well many thanks for the warm welcome everyone!!

Originally Posted by CieraSL

Hey Kyla! Guess I'll be the first to say to Autogeek Online!

Hey Shane!! I will never forget all the time you took to help me with my Dad's Merc!! You're the best!

Originally Posted by jimmyjam

Hi Kyla,
Welcome to AGO!!! It's awesome to hear the love of detailing is so strong in you, and the great relationship you have with your folks.

Thanks Jimmyjam...both my parents have gasoline in their veins, so it's only natural that I would too. I'm fortunate enough to have built a house next door to them, so I have use of a pole barn and my Dad's heated garage when needed! They've been great to me all these years, so the least I can do is keep their vehicles clean. That and satisfy my intense sickness...

Originally Posted by tuscarora dave

Welcome to the site Kyla. Nice introduction post. That sounds like a lot of fun drag racing a Blazer.

Thanks Dave! Oh you betcha, it is quite fun!

Originally Posted by SeaJay's

Welcome to the addiction!

Thank you SeaJay! This addiction you speak of is quite expensive! I wonder if someone will ever come up with a show about our kind...you know, something along the lines of "Hoarders" and "Intervention"....

Originally Posted by BobbyG

To Autogeek Online Kyla!

It's always nice to see new members but especially those that have been lurking on the sidelines for so long....

I must admit I like introductions like yours. It really gives the group a nice picture of your likes, skills, and experience which is what this forum is all about.

Autogeek is a friendly community comprised of members that cover a broad spectrum of automotive skills that are always ready with an answer or recommendation just for the asking.

Regarding our age group, the youngest member that I'm aware of is 15 and the oldest is.....lets just say I'm 58 and we have a few veterans here slightly "more seasoned" than me! This should give you a snapshot of the depth here on The Autogeek Online Forum

Autogeek's Tech Support and Customer Service are second to none and their product's ain't all that bad either!

Hey BobbyG, thanks! Isn't that what "Introduce yourself" is all about? Ha! To put it bluntly, I'm relatively experienced in the everyday, do-it-yourself detailing and waxing, but very new to paint correction...but me likes paint correction!! I'm hooked! What got me started is I wanted to get my Dad something nice for Father's Day last year. He's SO hard to shop for and knowing that Merc was his pride and joy, instead of buying him something, I bought all the supplies (G110v2, M105, M205, Menzerna PO85RD, etc..) and polished the hell outta that car...and learning the true value of the ever-so-important test spot the hard way...

I can assure you that I will be asking many questions, and hopefully be able to contribute answers as well. I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of the resident "boatgeek" because I'm thinking of undertaking Dad's 19 foot 1988 boat possibly this summer and I'm lost when it comes to gel coat...but that's for another post...

Originally Posted by mdb917

Welcome Kyla!

I'm in agreement with others that your introduction is well done.

As for your comment about not being able to help others, it is my considered opinion that everyone can learn from and teach others. I'm probably in the same boat as you are in that I'm a really good hobbyist detailer. I enjoy having a super clean car. Yes, it is an addiction, but a good one.

Driving a column stick shift. Oh my, talk about bringing back memories. My dad had a 3 speed on the column Olds F-85. That is the car I learned to drive with so I can relate to that experience.

I was thrilled to see that your father enjoys his Merc by taking it out on the road occasionally. To me that is half the fun of owning a vehicle, driving it.

Thank you! Firm believer here in "Each one teach one"

Can you believe I've never driven a regular standard?? I think I was about 20 maybe when Dad bought the Merc. One of the first things he did was take me out in it and teach me how to drive it. Took me about 2 full shifts (from a stop to third) and I got the hang of it.

Oh yeah, Dad is going to be 70 this year and while he does believe in taking care of things, he also believes in enjoying them. He's wanted a Merc like this all his life and I love to see him enjoy it.

I especially love it when someone sees it and they ask who polished it and he points at me, smiles and says "my daughter.."

Here's a link to my gallery on Meguiars Online in case anyone is interested:



CSI K-9 Gallery - Meguiars Online Photo Gallery

Thanks again everyone! I hope to help out where I can!