Although not quite as "anal retentive" about the "cleanliness" of my SVX as some, I am very retentive about things "working." I've had some switch lights burned out for some time. Just prior to my last bout with "tranny work" I'd ordered OE bulbs to put in the switches that were not illuminated. After pulling the switches (and getting a couple of nicks after the electrical tape slipped on the screwdriver) and replacing the burnt bulbs and putting the switches back into their slots, I fired up the car to view the "light show." Don't you know the only bulb I DIDN'T have to replace was now blown! Grrr. I didn't want to wait for OE to arrive, so, I went to the Local Radio Shack, got the #272-1092 micro lamps (1.49 for a card of 2), went home, carefully unwired the spent bulbs from the (now) spare holders, carefully rolled the green "condom" off the spent bulb, wired the new microlamp into the holder, carefully replaced the "condom" on the new bulb (did this to three different ones) and put the newly refurbished bulbs into their respective slots (this time, using one of those nylon "pot scrapers" to remove the switchbanks -- no scratches or nicks this time). I can't tell a bit of difference between the switches illuminated with the OE bulbs and my "refurbished" ones (except when I look at the bill: 2.40 each for the OE bulbs -- remember, 1.49 for a card of 2 "replacement" bulbs). The thing with the OE bulbs is, you're paying for a new holder and "condom." Another bulb, however, I believe was like 2.80 (parking light switch illumination), which was actually merely a "shorter" bulb. All my switches light the way they're supposed to -- well -- except the "arrows" on the power mirror switch. I just found out they are "supposed" to be illuminated -- trouble is, when I pulled the switch and looked for bulb sockets, I could find none --- hmmmmm -- gonna have to look again. As long as I THOUGHT they weren't supposed to be illuminated, it wouldn't have bothered me. Now, it's a "quest."

Cleanliness
 

Hey Randy, I am sitting here wondering if that statement is aimed at me.:)
I do get a little carried away sometimes, My wife really thinks I am a little out of hand. Having a car that I show sometimes got me that way.

Re: Cleanliness
 

Why, Mike. What would make you think I'd be talking about you (Gee! Didn't I make it obvious enough?). I would never malign a person I'd met face to face (Even if I couldn't see them because I was blinded by the glare off their highly polished AC tubing). I mean, there's nothing wrong with having a clean car (But there is with someone taking a Dremel with polishing attachments to every little part). So, no, Mike. My comments weren't aimed at you (you don't have to aim if the target's so big that you have absolutely no chance of missing). Have a nice day! (My tranny's still cleaner!) :D

Re: Re: Cleanliness
 

Doesn't everyone do that? I thought it was a requirement for ownership.

I'm the one that meticulously cleans the vents out with a Q-tip and uses a new sponge to clean the wheel wells every week. Four hours isn't too long to spend on cleaning the car, is it?

Cleaning...
 

<<Four hours isn't too long to spend on cleaning the car, is it?>>

My wife calls it BONDING.;)

Re: Cleaning...
 

My wife calls it "stupid." Especially when I do the Maguiar's 4-Step prescription treatment (Wash - Paint Cleaner - Polish - Wax). In the middle of that, I wash and polish the wheels, then spritz on some lo-gloss glaze. It takes me about five hours for the outside and another two on the inside (by the time I vaccuum, Novus the plastic bits, Q-tip the vents, use the detail brush on crevaces, use suede cleaner on the ecsaine and condition the leather. Of course, by then, the outside's gotten dusty again and I have to pull out the California Car Duster . . . . . . . So, the engine bay doesn't get the attention it deserves. Darn! I need to go take a nap, just talking about it -- I'm worn out.

Guess my quick trip through the do-it-urself car wash and a once over with the vac wouldn't impress you, then. :(

Nah. But, don't expect a spotless Pearly when I arrive in TN. My wife's car is having its air conditioner serviced, so, with hauling the kids places, running errands and what not, I won't have time to clean her up and make her pretty for the meet. BTW, did you post car wash locations on your directions? Hmmm, I'll have to go back and look. I tried one of those handy dandy "foamy brush" washes in Reading -- I've hand washed my car so much, I'd forgotten how to operate those things. By the time I was finished with the first batch of quarters, my car looked like a demented cotton ball (that brush was really FOAMY). Then, I didn't have enough quarters to do a rinse. Thank goodness Doug Mohr (mohrds) came through with a 2.00 loan so's I could spray off the suds.

Car Wash Locations In Oak Ridge
 

I may have mailed svxxx26 some directions, but I don't recall posting them.

There's one near the Garden Plaza Hotel.

Directions: Exit the GP parking lot & turn L onto S. Illinois, the major street that runs in front of the GP. Get into the R hand lane. You'll go through a couple of traffic lights, and see the Kroger on your right. Past the Kroger, about 0.1 mile, you'll see the Lincoln-Mercury dealer and a self-storage operation. Make a turn as if you're going to the L-M dealer, then follow the street along the front edge of their parking lot - it's sort of like a service road. The car wash is at the end of the "service road". I think I sent you telephone nos., so call if you need any more info.

Car-wash directions
 

<<I may have mailed svxxx26 some directions, but I don't recall posting them. >>

There's some directions to a coin-op wash posted under the "Springtime in the Smokies" thread (page 1). :cool:

Ok, so I did post them.

Oh, boy only about 53 hours to go, until the party starts. The forecast is for really nice weather, and hopefully some of the dogwoods will still have blooms. For you folks in the Central Time Zone, keep in mind that Oak Ridge is in Eastern, so adjust your clocks accordingly.

I just got word that at least two local cars are going to be present, so if everyone makes it, we should have an even dozen cars. Not bad for a first time out.

See your Friday evening. Travel safely.

Re: Re: Cleanliness
 

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Well Randy, you can have the cleanest tranny award if you want it, I hope mine stays dirty (only on the outside) for a long time.:D And just for your info,no Dremel tool was used.

Re: Re: Re: Cleanliness
 

Super! At this stage of the game, I'll take any award I can get. :D (kinda like people who think "a bad hair day" is a negative statement. I'm just glad to have any kind of hair day) Oh, yeah. It was Tom (Black/Pearl/Black) that used the Dremel. Uh, maybe you should get one, y'know, for the future, when you start getting arthritis in your hands from cramming them into those tight places so many times, y'know, kinda like us old farts. :D

Clean her up ??
 

< I won't have time to clean her up and make her pretty for the meet >

Randy : What gives ? When I last saw your wife last year she looked gorgeous .

Alan .

Re: Clean her up ??
 

No, Alan, the CAR. :) As far as the wife's concerned, I never need to clean her up. I always tell her that she'd look beautiful, even in a grass sack. No, there's no way to mess her up. And, believe it or not, she's not even reading over my shoulder. :)