How old is too old to detail...

Ken, we all know that has NOTHING to do with detailing, LOL. I'm in the same boat as some of the others here. I'll be 47 this summer and I have a replaced knee which gives me trouble whenever I put weight on it.
Like the others, I get my tunes going, have my coffee, or smoke a cigar or 2 and I am one happy camper. I would have to be very disabled to keep me out of the garage. God willing, I will be doing this for many years to come. I know the first job or 2 will have me aching just b/c I have not used those muscles all winter....unlike Ken...

 

Careful Ken my mom always told me I would go blind from doing "That" to much.LOL

 

For gods sake guys! I said my right ARM gets sore. I'm LEFT handed!

 

Yes, that's like dating a new girl!!!

 

wow, how about someone that is 61 and still loves this stuff. i never even attempt a one day correction any more. arthritis, total knee replace one year ago, gall bladder out last week even at this age nothing matches my love of detailing. been a week away since surgery and still had to wash and fuzion my car to put it back away. every one has different physical obstacles but hell so what. look at mike phillips at autogeek. pain passes but carnuba rules. physically i have been all over the place my entire life, good and bad but i stay alive and get my physicality through crawling all over cars not to aerobic but people say i sure dont look or act my age. (careful here richy no comment on this) i just happen to be at one end of the bookshelf of detailers and get real enjoyment from all your guys work. finding out your ages amazes me . dont let the pain ever stop you slow down regroup and kill it.

 

are you grandpa stage yet? lol

 

I'm 27 next month, 5'7" and 180 pounds (that's almost 100kgs). So I'm on the heavy side.
What I do is I take 5-10 minutes break in between, for example:
I clean wheels and wash the car, pull it in the garage, take a short break.
Dry the car then clay it, take a break.
Correct half of the car, take a break and do some preventive stretching (open my hands all the way for 5 seconds, then grip hard for 5 seconds, repeat 5 times, this helps prevent carpal tunnel)
Correct the other half the car, repeat exercise above.
put LSP on, take a break, then buff LSP off the car.
* I never do multiple step in 1 day, I tell customers in advance that it is going to be a 2 day job.
** I take breaks also if I'm doing interior work/engine bay.

 

Same here. I don't stop for lunch but I stop every so often for a break and a snack.

 

+1, I always keep water near by so I can take a drink from it.
I took these scheduled break recommendation from a retired detailer.
He found out 'bout these breaks and exercise too late in his career, so now he suffers from carpal tunnel, back pain, arthritis, messed up shoulder, and nerve damage.
He told me he is the living example of why I should take breaks after I told him I never take breaks, I'm glad I listened because I no longer feel pain after a long detail.

 

i finished the car today, here's how it went

Prep:
- Foam Gun'd with Optimum Car Wash + P21S TAW
- Washed 2BM with Optimum Car Wash + P21S TAW
- Clayed with Riccardo Yellow (thought id give it a try as last correction my usual go to claymagic blue marred badly - riccardo yellow was slightly better, so im putting it down to rediculously soft JDM paint)
- 106FA on white LC CCS CP via DA, 6" and 4" pads
- 203S on white LC CCS CP on bonnet and bootlid as they had the heaviest washed induced swirls, then refined with 106FA


Glaze:
- CK RMG/VMG mixed 1:1 on black LC CCS

Wax
- 2x Vic Concours


I decided to go with my fav glaze and fav wax....... CK RMG/VMG mixed 1:1 and 2 layers of Vic Concours. And they proved the winning combo of this whole detail as they are both rediculously easy to apply and remove, and i flew through it all in about 3 hours with very little pain or discomfort. I also had enough energy to correct, glaze and wax my door jams and boot

here's a few iphone pics......will take proper pics with my digicam once my new wheels are on (and will probably apply a coat of CK YMW between another layer of Vic Concours by then)

 

Your fitness / stamina level has almost as much to do with it as age. Stretching, both before and post detail along with frequent breaks for re-hydration and/or rest / recuperation

US Detailer’s age demographic

16-25: 25%
26-35: 28%
46-55: 16%
56 -65: 8%
65 plus: 1.5%

A UK detailing forum is also running a similar poll, thus far the age % are very similar

 

very interesting info dude (as always)

thanks for all the feedback guys, this has turned out to be a very good thread

 

I would venter to say 65+ is getting there (for me anyawy, the spirit is willing but the back is weak)

 

Sam, the car looks awesome!

 

What about the 36 - 45 age group? I happen to be in that one. :shrug:

 

By the way, I didn't mention the fact that I had a 2 level spinal fusion a few years ago either. Never felt better ........... VERY good thread indeed.

 

yep more like a squirelly Santa Clause

 

1%

 

I'm 66 and have been doing it forever but I do it from April to Oct. . I also work with a helper who does a lot of the vacuuming , 1/2 the clay barring, and all the polish/sealant removal. I do the polishing and sealant application, washing and dressings. We split the rest.


I an active in the winter so come spring the first few are a little tiring but after that its fine. I only do 3 a week max tho.

Also 170 Lbs so not over weight.

 

ok im officially loving this combo and want to "lock it in"

can i seal it all in with Z-CS? or will it change the look? ive had Z-CS on my glass since May and not even the P21S TAW prep wash killed it

few more pics... will detail my wheels next wash with Amigo + BF MS