OK, I give up, why does anything on a car cost so @%^^@#! much to do?
The parts are unreasonably expensive - AIRCRAFT PARTS often don't cost that much, and anything that flies gets a huge cost penalty from the fact that one must deal with the FAA. Trust me on this, that ain't cheap.
I used to assume that much of what had to be done must require extremely skilled technicians. Slowly I've ruled out most of the tasks however, and this weekend I ruled out body work requiring high skill/experience.
This weekend with a spray can of paint, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a sanding pad, and a roll of paper towels I eliminated a score of minor scratches, scrapes, etc. in Lupae's paint job. You really can't tell the new from the old at a distance of more than a few feet anywhere, and in some cases I have a hard time spotting the new paint from an inch away.
I'm hardly what you'd call a spray-can master, so what's the deal?
Is there anything that gets done to a car that isn't a ripoff when done by professionals?
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One of my swords. Live blade from Albion Swords http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/late/sword-lady-vivamus.htm
Do you know yourself? Do I?
Why "Five Questions"?
The Five Questions I refer to are:
Who are you?
What do you want?
Why are you here?
Where are you going?
Who do you serve, and who do you trust?
They are drawn from the TV shows "Babylon 5" and "Crusade". They are, I think, a very comprehensive set of questions that identify a person. Of course, because of that, they are virtually impossible to properly answer.
Who are you?
What do you want?
Why are you here?
Where are you going?
Who do you serve, and who do you trust?
They are drawn from the TV shows "Babylon 5" and "Crusade". They are, I think, a very comprehensive set of questions that identify a person. Of course, because of that, they are virtually impossible to properly answer.
The Lady Vivamus
One of my swords. Live blade from Albion Swords http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/late/sword-lady-vivamus.htm
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5 comments:
You probably are rather better with a spray can than most. Not to mention the prep. How much time did it take you?
I doubt I'm any better with a spray can than average; my hand-eye coordination is certainly not above average in general.
Took me an hour or so, much of which was reading directions and grabbing supplies.
Hmm. Care to do some work on my car during your visit? :-)
Short answer, No there isn't.
Longer answer, anytime the pro prevents you from making a very costly mistake. But that's true for nearly everything.
Professionals cost money. Idiots cost more money, but the only time Pros save a competent amateur money is when they know a shortcut the amateur doesn't, or they know about a land mine the amateur doesn't.
Please remember that you, Roger, are highly competent.The way you approach life makes you that way. You tend to have a good grasp of what skills you possess, what skills you need, and you set about gaining them in a methodical manner. That is not common. Reading the directions? Also surprisingly uncommon. Thinking a task through to the end before beginning it? Extremely uncommon.
Mom: sure, though remember Lupae may have been beginner's luck. :-}
Chris: thank you for the compliment, though I think you're giving me a little too much credit.
You also remind me of the old joke of the engineer who restarts the power plant by tapping one pipe with a hammer, for which he charges $10,000. Upon being asked to submit an itemized bill, he replies: "Hitting a pipe with a hammer: $1. Knowing where to hit it: $9,999."
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