Which chore gives you the most? I find car cleaning quite satisfying - aside from looking better, I always think it goes better afterwards.
I've just decided though that there can be few jobs to compare with jet washing garden furniture for instant gratification. I've just blasted the grime and green bits off eight hardwood chairs and two tables and am now feeling very chuffed, apart from a bit of early-stage vibration-white-finger anyway.
I doubt I'll get the same kick from slarting them all with teak oil tomorrow, when they've dried off.
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Waxing both cars today in the blazing sunshine in just me shorts was a pleasurable chore, the MB especially looks lovely, she really was getting quite dull, back to her former glory...and i'm getting a good tan to boot.
Last weekend i planted another couple of rows of spuds and put a hundred runner bean plants in, a good trowel of horse manure in with each one, well watered since you can almost see them growing. There's something almost instinctive about growing good food, i'm a poor excuse for a gardener and me long departed green fingered dad made it appear so easy, satisfaction in bucketfuls though to see things grow.
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waxed cars in blazing sunshine?
Dont all the instructions warn you not do this? I never know why, but they do.
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Up early today. Mowed 4 lawns ( don't ask ) Washed 2 cars, 3 bikes and cleaned the patio. Bit of DIY electrics, cooked BBQ, got caught in thunderstorm, had 2 beers and 2 gins, don't normally drink so nice...Haven't glanced at an email or switched moby on...even nicer...
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>> Dont all the instructions warn you not do this? I never know why, but they
>> do.
>>
Well i bought a mega tub of carnuba wax and it said nothing about the sun so tried it on one hot panel, no probs, so carried on...if it hadn't worked i've still got enough Mer left to do both and that would have been fine too.
I washed them both yesterday evening so they were perfect for waxing today, the old car really needed it i'm ashamed to admit, but the little C2 looks so much better now.
Our big problem is that a recycling centre of some sort has opened up across the valley from us, we are about 3/4 mile from it as the crow flies, but the dust that comes from the place is getting to be a bad joke, i'll have to make enquiries as to what exactly goes on there, there's hundreds of houses between us and the centre, so goodness knows how bad it is for them...may need to ask environmental health about dust reducing measures....probably find it's council run and have to lump it.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 22 Apr 11 at 20:18
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On the subject of waxing the car, it always used to be a no-no to wax metallic finishes. Is it now deemed acceptable?
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Up early today, 10.30ish. Car seriously needs a wash, brush-out and vacuum but it didn't get them. However I did check the tyre pressures and put some water and soap stuff in the windscreen washer reservoir. Added a bit to the coolant too. Then, while herself was in the supermarket, wiped some of the dust off the back screen and front side windows while smoking a cigarette (small grandnipper asleep in the car). Scratched a couple of splatted insects and bits of bird crap off the windscreen with my fingernail but left most of them.
Heavens what a heavy day. I'm knackered.
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All that at your age, AC.....be careful.
Pleased to say I did SFA today. Got up late, Wife's cousin and hubby came over from the City of Thelwall at 11 and we sat out for an hour with coffee ( not instant ). He drove to a local garden centre where we had a nice lunch and watched the few goods trains go past the window ten feet away, it's an old station.
Had a look round, bought some stuff there, came home, drinks on the patio and then slobbed out in front of the telly when they'd gone.
Expecting a similar, vigorous day tomorrow when SiL's mum comes over from Pwllheli to see him.
Might pot me 'ickle tomato plants into some free trays I picked up at lunchtime.......if I feel strong enough.
No alcohol today...just cold soft drinks. Wasn't in the mood.
Ted
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...waxed cars in blazing sunshine...Dont all the instructions warn you not do this? I never know why, but they do...
I think some waxes can be harder to polish off if they dry out completely on a hot panel.
You might not notice if you only apply a square foot or so at a time, and polish off that bit immediately.
Most modern waxes seem quite good tempered.
Last edited by: Iffy on Sat 23 Apr 11 at 05:41
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Turtle wax can be quite hard to polish off on a biggish area on a hot day.
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Satisfaction?
With Cleaning and polishing a car?
Its the most soul destroying useless depressing waste of time activity going.
I washed and polished my car last week. First time I have polished a car in 10 years. I know why now.
Its covered in bird muck, mixed with sahara sand, fen dusty manure and all sorts of rubbish. Its even worse because you get a glimpse of how nice it could look before its cruelly whipped away. Do you people ever drive the things? or just admire them in your drive like some Dali-esque sculpture?
I get more satisfaction from self harming, at least the scars remain the way you intended.
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Aye, but to be fair, it does depend what you're polishing. I can quite see why it would be hard to gain any pleasure from trying to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse...
Also, it's to do with standards. Some never had them but I've seen once really smart and dapper types let themselves go in later life. You want to be careful Zero. You could end up with the "Greengrass" role on the forum...
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>> Aye, but to be fair, it does depend what you're polishing. I can quite see
>> why it would be hard to gain any pleasure from trying to turn a sow's
>> ear into a silk purse...
Good grief thats rich coming from a Squashcow owner! The only way to get some shape and form into that Sunderland brick is with a mallet & chisel! Still you could park yours and the wifes nose to tail, nail a trellis to it and grow ivy I suppose.
Last edited by: Zero on Sat 23 Apr 11 at 09:38
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His and hers Quashqais - the neighbours are sure to talk about him behind his back:
"I bet they wear identical jackets, trousers and boots when they go walking."
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Oh god yes, the matching Anorak family. IS there anything more cringe-worthy.
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Heh heh ! - For clarity, I don't especially like the Qashqai but I was given mine so it's by default ok. My wife loves hers but she's a girl so allowances have to be made. As for neighbour's opinions, one would have to start by giving the slightest toss and frankly I don't...Matching clothes? I think not. Neither of us have ever had the tiniest inclination to try on each other's garments although one hears of such things going on in the home counties.
:-)
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"Aye, but to be fair, it does depend what you're polishing."
Sure does. Never get bored of Polishing the old helmet.
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...Never get bored of Polishing the old helmet...
It's what happens to many little-used relics.
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"Its the most soul destroying useless depressing waste of time activity going.
I washed and polished my car last week."
Absolutely. One should really get a little man in to do it. When I first got the Lexus I bought some Polish and got as far as the rear nearside wing before realising it was going to be far too much effort. I washed it yesterday for Easter. I like a clean car inside and out, just detest doing it. It's dark blue/black, a pig to clean and looks dirty already this morning.
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Lifes too short to be washing and polishing cars yourself .
£6 at the local Albanian / Romanian car wash, £12 if they do the inside as well......
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I prefer Lithuanian or Polish. £5 or £10
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What about Lithuanian polish (sic).
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Job satisfaction - -
