The Psychology of Detailing

[JeS10]

I'd like your thoughts on this. I started to think about this more as I have been increasingly watching videos of people cleaning (detailing) cars on Youtube. I would then proceed to implement some of their methods on my own motor: the enthusiast/hobbyist detailer. I only considered the actual psychology of this when I found myself, inexplicably, watching a video about how to wash microfibre towels. I thought this must be a step too far.

My wife caught me watching these videos. The shame was en par with porn. I know people joke about OCD and stuff, but what explains that strange satisfying feeling that one (men?) get when they're obsessive about things? Is it just pretty typical obsessive behaviour? It's strange, right?

[JeS10]

Sump said:

I think it's a combination of OCD and wanting your P&J looking exceptional. Some petrolheads feel a connection to their car on pressing down an A road and some find the connection it making their car look immaculate. Different strokes for different folks.

I think detailing is just one of the things that you can apply this obsessive psychology to though. Just add men and internet forums together and you're pretty much there.

[JeS10]

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

This is just... wow. I mean, I remember reading that thread when I must've been 18 or 19. I cringed then. I cringe and despair now. A bible quotation on the heatshield? Incredible.