6 years old - developing patina

[cbl117]

Now I understand I'm about to bitch about a 1st world problem but I'm wondering if anyone else feels this way. I love my car, but its getting up there in age (6 years) and its been a daily driver the whole time. I take care of it and detail it practically once a week, but I can't stop the natural patina from taking hold of the car. Nothing major just micro chips on the bumper and around the wheels from road debris. Also the paint is starting to show some scars in the form of scratches, etc. Seats are looking worn, steering wheel is developing a shine, shift knob leather is wearing. Its bumming me out, but also is helping me relax a bit about trying to keep it perfect. Anyone else feel this way?

[Esteban]

No... OCD!

[BrokenVert]

I gave up on cleaning up every scratch and rock chip a very long time ago.

[ShocknAwe]

I go over the car with touch up about every 6 months. Try to keep it looking nice, but its not new anymore. Better to be well used and loved.

[Esteban]

I will say that my car helps me with my OCD. It's in pretty decent shape with no real signs of age or wear. When I'm not driving it, it stays in the garage. I keep it waxed and keep the leather cleaned and dressed. I do my best to keep it maintained and in good condition. It gives me something to obsess over. Here's hoping she grows old gracefully.

[IEDEI]

the whole point of a car is to drive it and enjoy it.....not to keep it perfect cosmetically! Enjoy the little scars and accept them as a part of its character! They are far greater signs that the car has been taken care of (driven).

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the whole point of a car is to drive it and enjoy it.....not to keep it perfect cosmetically! Enjoy the little scars and accept them as a part of its character! They are far greater signs that the car has been taken care of (driven).

I may not drive it 120 miles a day, but I do enjoy driving it every day. Nothing wrong with trying to keep it nice.

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I may not drive it 120 miles a day, but I do enjoy driving it every day. Nothing wrong with trying to keep it nice.

ok, your making me feel guilty cause I have not driven my beast in 3 weeks.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Chunner

ok, your making me feel guilty cause I have not driven my beast in 3 weeks.

You should feel guilty! Go out right now and have a fun drive!

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

No... OCD!

Yeah I suppose I do have a bit of OCD

Thanks for the inputs. As long as the car is running strong that's all the counts. I'll just watch it age gracefully

[tock172]

Well, you could always shell out for a full paint correction with 2 stage polish or even wet sanding, and follow up with Ceramic Pro coating over the entire car with Clear Bra over the front end.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by tock172

Well, you could always shell out for a full paint correction with 2 stage polish or even wet sanding, and follow up with Ceramic Pro coating over the entire car with Clear Bra over the front end.

Could I have that done at my local Pep Boys? I have a coupon.

[swagon]

Well, at least clean the leather. Does not take more than two three hours, the whole interior. Shiny leather is the worst.

Get it detailed, man.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I may not drive it 120 miles a day, but I do enjoy driving it every day. Nothing wrong with trying to keep it nice.

well i agree it's always nice to have a clean car. most people cannot believe I have 72k miles on it....but I don't worry about rock chips or little things....I make sure the alcantara is nice, the leather is not shiny, and that it smells clean and new inside which it does!

I don't agonize about detailing though....have it done outside once in a while so I can focus on driving!

[Ed P]

I put a clear bra on it in the first week. GREAT investment, highly recommended. Get the lights done too, of course, and the mirrors.

After that, worrying about every little nic or leather crease will just diminish the enjoyment of the car. So don't do that.

[Esteban]

Dr. ColorChip is supposed to be an easy and effective way to fix paint chips, for anybody who wants to DIY.

[Lucky1]

I get upset when I see all the scratches that have accumulated on my windshields. There's even one on my driver side mirror (cleaning job gone wrong). It bothers me more that they probably can't be fixed without replacing the windshield so I have no choice but to live with them.

Yeah, it would be nice to have the car looking clean as new but you just have to accept that the car is getting older and they don't make new ones.

[RoundelM3]

Dr. Colorchip, Griot's Garage glass polish (stage 1 and 2), Griot's leather rejuvenator/cleaner/preservative, and your choice of Mothers, Meguiars, or Griot's paint polishes, sealants, and wax. An orbital polisher and foam or microfiber pads are essential to getting it done like the pros. Or, you could spend $150-$250 to have a pro do it. I prefer doing my own, and our 4 1/2-year-old 128i convertible looks as good today as it did when it was delivered. Better, actually; the Griot's products really produce a superior shine on the exterior and a cleaner look for the interior.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by swagon

Well, at least clean the leather. Does not take more than two three hours, the whole interior. Shiny leather is the worst.

Get it detailed, man.

Oh I clean and condition the leather...very often. And I spend 3-5 hours almost every weekend detailing it (various waxing, polishing, sealing, conditioning). I've taken it to a reputable detailing shop about 1-2 times a year for paint corrections, but that only corrects so much. The deeper scratches (albeit not very noticeable) don't come out because there's only so much clear and I don't think they want to risk it. With that cleaning though I can't stop the natural aging process. I added some pictures to help explain what I mean. I think the easy response to fall back on is "get it detailed, man!" But I DO that.

The seats are boston lemon and I think that helps to show the age. No matter how much I scrub I don't get all the pores and creases clean. I hope the picture of the steering wheel helps explain what I mean by being shiny. I'm open to any ideas to clean up the leather. I use meg's leather cleaner and conditioner. I'll try the Dr colorchips on the paint. From 5 feet away the car looks mint, but the devil (patina) is in the details. If this is just normal wear then I'll shut my pie hole and accept it.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Dr. ColorChip is supposed to be an easy and effective way to fix paint chips, for anybody who wants to DIY.

Thats great! I'm going to look to try that on my car.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by tock172

Well, you could always shell out for a full paint correction with 2 stage polish or even wet sanding, and follow up with Ceramic Pro coating over the entire car with Clear Bra over the front end.

I researched a bit on the ceramic pro. The product looks great. You weren't kidding about shelling out though. I feel like its too late to go through that trouble on this car. I'll consider it on my next car purchase though!

[Gray_Panther]

Don't drive so close behind others that shoot gravel at you?!!!
Mine is three years old with no chips in the paint. Try plasti-dipping the side skirt right behind the wheel and on the rear tires too, to prevent inevitable paint chips.