Post by Neal on Feb 12, 2024 20:04:00 GMT -5
I have mentioned before in this forum that I am a cynical realist and try to "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, take what I get." Apparently, I recently expected the worst and was agonizing on dealing with what I got. Vanity played a small part too; in that I never wear my glasses unless I'm reading. Add to that I am OC about my cars appearances.
I'm usually a careful and considerate driver. But, one day in a hurry to get my housemate into the house after a long day at the ER, I hurried into the garage. In my rush I was a wee bit too far to the right. The result is pictured.
After getting him comfortable I went out to look at the damage, WITHOUT my glasses. My eyes, my fingers and my pessimism convinced me that I had a gouge and paint from the garage door frame as damage. I fretted and agonized over the damage for days. Web surfing and calling body shops to get estimates to repair/replace the mirror. One day about two weeks later a repairman was here, and I saw 0000-gauge steel wool in his tool bag. I asked him if I could have a piece of the steel wool and told him why. We went out to the car, and he looked at the damage before I tried rubbing it with the steel wool. He said you have a can of acetone over there on your shelf and asked me if I had tried that yet. I said no. He put some on a rag and wiped the damn paint off revealing an undamaged mirror.
Did I feel stupid? You know I did. My relief that the mirror was "back to factory" was almost enough to overcome my embarrassment.
The lesson I learned is really look at the problem before assuming what the solution is.
I'm usually a careful and considerate driver. But, one day in a hurry to get my housemate into the house after a long day at the ER, I hurried into the garage. In my rush I was a wee bit too far to the right. The result is pictured.
After getting him comfortable I went out to look at the damage, WITHOUT my glasses. My eyes, my fingers and my pessimism convinced me that I had a gouge and paint from the garage door frame as damage. I fretted and agonized over the damage for days. Web surfing and calling body shops to get estimates to repair/replace the mirror. One day about two weeks later a repairman was here, and I saw 0000-gauge steel wool in his tool bag. I asked him if I could have a piece of the steel wool and told him why. We went out to the car, and he looked at the damage before I tried rubbing it with the steel wool. He said you have a can of acetone over there on your shelf and asked me if I had tried that yet. I said no. He put some on a rag and wiped the damn paint off revealing an undamaged mirror.
Did I feel stupid? You know I did. My relief that the mirror was "back to factory" was almost enough to overcome my embarrassment.
The lesson I learned is really look at the problem before assuming what the solution is.
