Life is good. You’ve got the wardrobe down, your hair’s never looked better, you just got your first raise, and the hottie from the gym agreed to dinner. All your hard work and perseverance is finally paying off. Ah, yes… life is good!
Now, tell me about your car. Does it fit your lifestyle and the image you’ve worked so hard to achieve? Is it a good representation of the man you are today? I’m not talking about the model or year of your car – that’s irrelevant. I’m wondering about your car’s current state of affairs. Is it clean and organized? Does it reflect who you are in a manner consistent with the rest of your existence? If not, it’s time to get to work!
Sure, we’d all love to be driving the wheels of our dreams, and I’m sure many of us are, but it doesn’t take the latest and greatest ride to tell the world about your awesome image. It’s about your car’s “presentation”, no matter how sweet (or not) the wheels are. I understand how busy we all are, and how some things take the brunt of our hectic schedules, but, our cars, which really are an extension of us on so many levels, shouldn’t be that thing that gets neglected. Driving a car that’s dirty, cluttered or smelly sends a message to everyone who experiences it that you’re a dirty, cluttered kind of guy beneath your facade. That sounds extreme, but when others get a chance to see how things are behind the scene – like during that unexpected visit from your co-worker the day you couldn’t see the apartment floor for all the mess – they make assumptions and size you up based on what they see. It’s just natural and we all do it.
Countless times, I’ve spoken about the value and importance of looking your best when meeting someone new because, within seconds, an opinion is made regarding the quality of your image. Well, the same rule applies to your automobile, but the difference is people aren’t sizing your car up, they’re forming an opinion of you. After all, you’re responsible for the car’s condition, as you are your wardrobe, your hair, and that apartment floor. And since we all want to be perceived in the best light possible, keeping your car clean and orderly will help you maintain your alpha status, instead of detracting from it. So, by addressing your car’s “image”, you’re actually addressing your own.
Here are a few tips on keeping your vehicle, no matter what is it, looking great, so you can feel confident it’s not undermining your mission or your image:
- Empty it out. A car, as convenient as it is, is not for storage. Clothing, shoes, dirty gym clothes, books, leftover food, winter coats, all have a place, and it’s not your car. Don’t forget to check under the seats and in the glove compartment.
- Once everything’s out of the way, vacuum the floors and seats.
- Now that you can get a good view of the upholstery, clean it. Upholstery shampoo or cleaning solutions works great to clean and shine car seats and dashboards. Don’t forget the inside of the doors.
- Use glass cleaner on those windows both inside and out. Don’t forget the inside of the windshield, which tends to get coated with a film, especially if anyone smokes in the car.
- Floor mats and carpet need to be cleaned up, too. Again, use a cleaning product designed for auto carpets.
- How’s it smell? If it smells like a wet dog, or any other offensive odor, time to deodorize. Professional products are available, but if nothing else, install an air freshener. Do they still make those smelly evergreen trees that hang from the rearview mirror? I’m joking, but they sure did the job!
- Wash it! A little soap and water goes a long way, as my grandfather always said. Don’t forget the wheels.
- Wax it till it shines!
- Have it professionally detailed. If cleaning your car isn’t your thing, pay someone to do it for you.
- Cover body scratches with touch up paint. Repair upholstery tears. If you’re unable to discretely mend tears, see a professional about the job. Avoid using anything, like duct tape, that will be an eyesore.
The condition of your car speaks volumes about you, and carries more weight than you may realize. Keeping up with your car’s appearance will not only say the right kind of things about you, but it will give the peace of mind that you’re always prepared for passengers and onlookers at any time. I promise you’ll feel better about your car and yourself, knowing you both reflect your best image.
by Aaron Marino
