Sod's law and the weather.

[Bluesnose1812]

I have to admit that I actually like cleaning the car , I find it very relaxing & satisfying and now that I'm fully retired , spending a few days cleaning the car beats watching daytime TV hands down.

+1 To that. I too think it's very satisfying to wash and wax the car. And not bad for a good excersise too.
When in the motor trade, most of the engineers were car nuts, while some were not. And if those that were not, saw you with a sparklingly clean car, or saw it being polished, they would say, "Does that make it go faster" I would reply, I'll let you know when I've driven it.

The answer would have to be yes, less friction with the air and so less wind resistance. Same reason folk wax skis and surfboards, not to mention clean the barnacles off boats. Somewhat less of a noticeable difference for a clean car to be fair..

I assume you've had your right arm waxed to reduce air resistance when signalling to turn right?

[Vix]

Car looks great - I think I've said it before!
Have you had any problems with the chrome discolouring? And what colour interior do you have please? Asking for a friend ...

[Hot Wheels]

Use a leaf blower and blow it dry, if it's polished it will just bead off.

DRW

I use a leaf blower to blast water from around the door mirrors and other bodywork joints.

[Hot Wheels]

Completely random question. How are you finding being retired? I'm just thinking about what it might look like in a few years. Think I'd enjoy getting up late and then fussing about the cars while my wife rolls her eyes

My wife retired in 2010 to look after our first grandson, I decided to retire in 2014 ( I was 62 ) as there were now 2 grandsons . The company I worked for offered me a new Admin job for one day a week which I accepted and did it for 8 years finally retiring in August 2022.
So during the past 9 years , as well as working one day, I've taken/picked up the two grandsons from creche and primary school , changed nappies, played with toys and played soccer,cricket and numerous other games between 3.30pm (end of school day) and about 6.30pm when their parents picked them up.
To anybody on here who gets the opportunity to look after their grandchildren - grab it with both hands - most pleasurable time because you've GOT the time , which is totally different to bringing up your own children when work and other matters give very little spare time. It wasn't without it's small problems but well worth it.
Working for one day a week was also a big plus as I still got to use my brain and still be under some stress at times.
Both my grandsons are now in comprehensive and I don't work any more but I've still managed to keep busy this year, you get the odd day when i think "what am I going to do today" but not very often.

Thank you. That really helps. The wife's employer has just gone bust so we're thinking about options, and how things will play out in future. Appreciate the context as such a different lifestyle is hard to imagine (literally)

I’ve been retired for 18 years now…and I think I’m quite good at it…..but it may not be for everyone.
Retirement gives you time to think, look after yourself better….and fuss with the car, the garage, the garden…..and in my case play golf. I, too, participated on the school runs…..and acted as homework and exam revision tutor. But it is also an opportunity to take the youngsters to some of the great museums and attractions across UK and a few in Europe too. (Tip: If taking children to UK museums, then a teacher training day is ideal - attractions will be quiet and you will not suffer other children and their awful parents getting in the way. Avoid half term holidays in London).

[Scooby_Doo]

Car looks great - I think I've said it before!
Have you had any problems with the chrome discolouring? And what colour interior do you have please? Asking for a friend ...

Interior is black extended leather with standard stitching.
Chrome trim is as new, my previous C class had similar trim and was still as new (5 years old ) when I swopped it for the Macan. I firmly believe that the problem arises when aggressive cleaners ( generally hand car washes) are used and are left to dry on the chrome trim.
When I bought the Macan it was 4 months old ex demo. One of the first jobs I had to do was remove the wheel centre caps as they were already starting to corrode around the circumferences ( OPC wheel cleaner probably) , I only use a weak car shampoo mix and 6 months on the caps are like new and no sign of any corrosion.

[Vix]

Car looks great - I think I've said it before!
Have you had any problems with the chrome discolouring? And what colour interior do you have please? Asking for a friend ...

Interior is black extended leather with standard stitching.
Chrome trim is as new, my previous C class had similar trim and was still as new (5 years old ) when I swopped it for the Macan. I firmly believe that the problem arises when aggressive cleaners ( generally hand car washes) are used and are left to dry on the chrome trim.

Very many thanks.