wash,wax,drive, repeat....

[lloyd3]

After being out of action for a while you start to miss the little things. Just the act of scrubbing things off used to be a labor of love. If it doesn't get too-hot here today, I'm going to get a bucket of warm, soapy water and a clean set of towels and re-learn that process. Bonding at it's best!  After spending lots of quality time with extended family for the last 10-days or so, I was really looking forward to getting back to do this (a little selfish "me" time, I fear).  Also, when you see good car folks here start to depart this world (RIP Lord Warlock) you realize that the good times are transitory at best.  The simple-things (no computers, no video, and no fantasy crap!) really are still some of the best fun in my eyes (sadly, mostly the same stuff I liked when I was 18).  If you get too-fussy or expect too-much perfection from this life.... you'll never really be satisfied. I figure that I'm down to the 4th quarter and I really want to appreciate it. Give me the real stuff!

[John_Kunkel]

When you're my age you'll learn to value the drive-through car wash. 

[lloyd3]

 John:

Or...the value of the 14-person hand-dry car wash. All my "normal" cars get that treatment and it's worth every penny in my eyes.  Some stuff you just need to do for yourself.... every once in a while.

[lloyd3]

First step. Getting a relatively clean car wet always means work (water tends to get where you don't want it), so this one doesn't get wet all that often.  Not much of a glamour shot, eh?



Now...where are all those drive-through car-wash folks with the towels and the spray bottles?

[303 Mopar]

I went to the Golden Supercruise the weekend of the 4th and got caught in a couple of rainstorms, so I had to wash mine. Normally some quick detailer and she's done, but I enjoyed spending a couple of hours with some good music on and really getting in all the nooks and crannies to get her clean.

[lloyd3]

Day two here. The nooks and crannies are always the tough part.....but with the 8-track player running and a light breeze blowing it all seems quite familiar.  Van Halen sounds different on 8-track for some reason (David Lee Roth could still sing then?).  



303, maybe you know, I only really attend one local car show.  Are the folks on Dransfeldt road doing their thing again this year? I have normally heard from them by now.

[Charger_Fan]

The Charger looks mighty fine from here, nice work!

[lloyd3]

Thank you Charger Fan.  Now the hard part begins....just where and when do you drive it?  The radio says it's 94 outside right now, so it's just too-darn hot.  And, of course, when you drive it....it gets dirty again.  It never fails to bug me when I look at it after driving it for a few days/weeks and it just looks like another old, dirty car.  Weird psychology, aint it?



I've only waited all Spring and now Summer to do this (this used to be a lot easier). At least it's done now and ready for just the right moment to go out and play once again.  How's the old Outlaws song go? "Hurry Sundown"!

[G-man]

Nice color charger. Don't see many of those.

Washing car to me is always a hate thing but has to get done thing. N i aint even 35.

Each to there own i spose. Would be easier if i liked it.

[lloyd3]

It is an unusual color to see anymore. UU1 was the least-popular color option of the three colors of blue you could choose from in 1968. I was only lukewarm about it when I got it (over 20-years ago now), but it's grown on me in that time.  The C6B Frost Blue interior has grown on me as well. I wouldn't change either now.

[toocheaptosmoke]

Little bit of dirt don't hurt nothin'...       Come to think of it, I don't think my car has ever been washed since I put it together. 

[lloyd3]

Best laid plans.....



Don't trust your smartphone's weather radar application completely.  Thankfully, I wasn't very far from home and a simple wipe-down will solve everything. I was going to finish detailing the rims and tires tomorrow anyway.

[69wannabe]

Mine needs this same thing but I haven't been motivated lately since it's been so hot and humid here. This kind of weather puts me in the couch/air condition mood. I have a chevy truck i got to rebuild the engine on but I am dragging my feet on it lately. I got it out and the heads and intake off but that's about it. You charger is sweet by the way!!!!! Love that color 

[best-laid-plans]

Best laid plans.....


Don't trust your smartphone's weather radar application completely.  Thankfully, I wasn't very far from home and a simple wipe-down will solve everything. I was going to finish detailing the rims and tires tomorrow anyway.

for a minute there i  thought you were calling me out  Lol.

i know  i'm not on here  much but i couldnt resist Lol.

beautifull charger 

[M5Ivan]

That's a really sharp looking '68 
I do enjoy washing and waxing my car, but I'd rather be driving it  With my black charger I need to be extra careful with how I wash it.  I've found out over the years that the rinse-less car washing method works best for me. In addition it also takes the least amount of time and I can do it in the garage.

[lloyd3]

Thanks folks! Appreciate the kind words. Keeping this car in running and presentable trim for all these years has been an interesting saga. How it has survived through marriage, endless work challenges, children, health issues, etc. (the usual stuff) is still something of a surprise to me. Somehow.... keeping it has always been important. Not entirely rational, I suppose, and a truly smarter person would have dumped it back when prices were sky-high (before the crash of '08).  But....I guess I'm not that smart.

A far as the washing process goes, I am finding that many (if not most) modern washes and waxes aren't compatible with the original type of paint and finish that was re-applied to this car about 5-years ago. Because it doesn't have that basecoat/clearcoat system, it is prone to bad water-spotting issues that can only be resolved with lots of elbow grease. There is no doing it halfway.

[303 Mopar]

303, maybe you know, I only really attend one local car show.  Are the folks on Dransfeldt road doing their thing again this year? I have normally heard from them by now.

Yep, I remember meeting you last year at that Parker show.  Let me know if you can get me an invite, I know there are very limited spots.  Or maybe at least let me know when it is and I can swing by with my Charger.  And yes, Dransfeldt is in full swing the first Saturday of each month.  I've even see a couple of other Chargers up there this year.

[crj1968]

Awesome looking car- love the color combo myself.

It is an interesting thing, these old cars... I find myself in the same situation, not so much the washing it thing. I don't worry so much about keeping it clean.   

Just the owning it.... like most here there is no real "practical" use for it.
I don't care to sit at car shows, I've no interest in owning a high horsepower light-to-light car, my kids aren't all that interested in it. It's the sentimental value it represents.  I'll just sit in it or take a drive and think about old friends and the fun we had in these cars. It's kind of in the same realm of fishing a river bank...no distractions, no noise....simple.

[lloyd3]

crj1968, thank you for that! You've pretty well encapsulated it.

This car is the last really-tangible possession remaining from my youth. Everything else has either been worn-out or thrown out, or both. When it's just it and me, droning down a lonely road somewhere, the memories come flooding back in almost a kaleidoscopic fashion. People long-gone now, places long-lost to "progress". It helps me remember who I was then, and even what was important to me then. Sometimes it's a little sad, but mostly it's invigorating. The sights and sounds (and even smells!) seem to sharpen my senses and they help me bring a certain sense of order to my everyday world. A different, fresher perspective.....perhaps?

[crj1968]

Places long lost to progress indeed. I grew up in Colorado- I am in Idaho now...but my brother and dad are still there. (Aurora/Monument)
I visited a while back and took my kids to see red rocks and some other places that unfortunately have become more or less fenced off. 

Maybe that's the thing with your car- it's the one thing that has remained the same...

I think I'll take mine out tonight for a drive through the farmlands.   

Another thought; Chargers in Heaven?      

[lloyd3]

crj1968: Enjoy that drive. That's generally where I head to get away from it all. Thank God east of the Denver Metroplex is still largely empty. Ever since we got "dope & hope" here, there has been a steady influx to the tune of about 500 people per day, and they're not all coming here for good reasons. I'm about ready to pull up stakes and head further into the boonies. Idaho is actually on my list of the last good places.

303 Mopar:  I literally just now got the call about that show. Dennis at Extreme Auto is the fellow to talk to at 303-841-1071. Their date is August 20th, from 9 till 1.  Would love to see more of the Ma Mopar faithful make an appearance.

[TPR]

Reminds me, my UU1 is overdue for a sponge bath.
I might get to it this weekend.
TPR

[crj1968]

I'm about ready to pull up stakes and head further into the boonies. Idaho is actually on my list of the last good places.

Not so fast ... small towns in Idaho have become dumping grounds for refugees. The problems are just beginning...    

https://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/idaho-syrian-muslim-refugees-rape-minor/


Should be good if you stay north.