Car Show Clean: Tips and Tricks
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Car Show Clean: Tips and Tricks
OK, so this thread isn't one that needs to be about how a few coats of Zaino can make the paint look a foot deep, shine like a mirror, and looks soaked with water...no. This thread is about those little things people do to their cars before a show, or just a nice detailing before you go out for a cruise. Post up those tricks that you use to make any part of your car look great that people wouldn't regularly use or think about that do a better job than a product designed to clean that area.
Incase you haven't caught on...I'll go 1st...
Engine: Use a foam tire spray on a rag to wipe away dirt under the hood. It works especially good on the rubber hoses, engine cover, washer/water/brake/power steering/etc. reseviours, and other hard plastics under the hood to give them a nice shine and also attracks the dirt to get it out of small holes. Just be sure to keep it away from the belts, and electronics like anything else and I would also be careful about leaving it on any paint for too long.
Please add onto this!!
Incase you haven't caught on...I'll go 1st...
Engine: Use a foam tire spray on a rag to wipe away dirt under the hood. It works especially good on the rubber hoses, engine cover, washer/water/brake/power steering/etc. reseviours, and other hard plastics under the hood to give them a nice shine and also attracks the dirt to get it out of small holes. Just be sure to keep it away from the belts, and electronics like anything else and I would also be careful about leaving it on any paint for too long.
Please add onto this!!
Last edited by AmateuRN; May 25, 2005 at 11:07 PM.
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I enter alot of shows in my Z, and a few things that i always make sure to do is:
-Make sure exhaust tips are shiney and clean. I use Mothers Billet Polish, its about 14 dolllars at ur local autozone/pepboys, apply a nice coat and buff to a shine.
-If any doors/hatches are open for display, i always make sure that the painted parts hidden by the door feels and looks the same as the exterior paint, kind of blends the car together.
-Also i like to use alot of "props" when im in a show, for example, model Zs that ive made, extra wheel, dyno sheets, picture album, previous trophies, stuff like that, i find that it catches more peoples attention, draws them over to check out the car.
Hope that helps!
-Make sure exhaust tips are shiney and clean. I use Mothers Billet Polish, its about 14 dolllars at ur local autozone/pepboys, apply a nice coat and buff to a shine.
-If any doors/hatches are open for display, i always make sure that the painted parts hidden by the door feels and looks the same as the exterior paint, kind of blends the car together.
-Also i like to use alot of "props" when im in a show, for example, model Zs that ive made, extra wheel, dyno sheets, picture album, previous trophies, stuff like that, i find that it catches more peoples attention, draws them over to check out the car.
Hope that helps!
Make sure you get those inner fenders clean! I always look for dirt in this area. Do NOT use white batting! This is the stuffing found in blankets. The first thing I think when I see that is someone is trying to hide something! Inside the rims, pull your wheels off and clean the inside the night before a show. Wipe all jambs, deck lid, under hood clean! Nothing worse then seeing dirty jambs! Alwats carry quick detail spray, I like Zaino. Thats all I can think of for now.
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Often times a small but noticeable way to improve your car is the rubber trim. There are two ways to really darken them up, both work great. Trim Restorer http://secure.detailedimage.com/Merc...ory_Code=Vinyl is great for relatively new rubber, really darkens it up and sets off the paint. Another great way to fix rubber that needs more drastic treatment is Leatherique Rubber Dye http://secure.detailedimage.com/Merc...ory_Code=Vinyl. Don't let the name "dye" scare you just wipe it on and wipe off any excess. On all the cars I've used it on it really darkened the rubber and if it gets on the paint it comes right off.
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I used to show my Accord before I got my G. If you're entering a show, I would apply tire dressing to the treads of the tires that are visible...not just the sidewall. Small little thing that makes youre wheels/tires look more complete, instead of having black sidewalls and grey treads.
- Also clean your undercarriage. Try to keep it clean regularly and it'll be easier to clean the day of your show.
- Keep a nice air freshener in the car (I recommend Air Spencer CS-X3 Squash). If the judge likes the smell of your interior, he may unconciously give you more points in certain areas.
- Also clean your undercarriage. Try to keep it clean regularly and it'll be easier to clean the day of your show.
- Keep a nice air freshener in the car (I recommend Air Spencer CS-X3 Squash). If the judge likes the smell of your interior, he may unconciously give you more points in certain areas.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Central Florida
I dont take my baby to shows, but detailing for 14 hours must count for something right?
Two of the things off the top of my head that I do are
1) Use one of those keyboard air dusters to have the little dust particles the Wax/Polish leave go away from the gaps between panels... the gap between the roof and windows, the grille, open up the trunk and use Duster around the rubber (this place carries A LOT of wax/polish residue). BTW do this right after you wipe off a layer, dont wait until you finish all layers or the residue will stick too god.
2) I use Q-tips on some areas where the duster does not do an excellent job, and where microfiber towels dont reach... for example, the rear bumper has two horizontal lines close to the bottom, only Q-Tips can reach there. (If possible, wrap the microfiber around the qtip to use the towel instead of the cotton, if the gap is too little, then just use the Q-tip)
Two of the things off the top of my head that I do are
1) Use one of those keyboard air dusters to have the little dust particles the Wax/Polish leave go away from the gaps between panels... the gap between the roof and windows, the grille, open up the trunk and use Duster around the rubber (this place carries A LOT of wax/polish residue). BTW do this right after you wipe off a layer, dont wait until you finish all layers or the residue will stick too god.
2) I use Q-tips on some areas where the duster does not do an excellent job, and where microfiber towels dont reach... for example, the rear bumper has two horizontal lines close to the bottom, only Q-Tips can reach there. (If possible, wrap the microfiber around the qtip to use the towel instead of the cotton, if the gap is too little, then just use the Q-tip)
Originally Posted by Espresso
Use WD-40 to make plastic engine covers and hoses in your engine compartment shine.
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From: Florida
tip i gathered from vwvortex
pink pearl or pink pet whatever that pink thing is on the end of your pencil gets the wax off the black
i use meg's nxt wash, polymer, spray wax and Eagle one for tire and windows, idk if anyone else used it but last year's eagle one 20/20 i liked ALOT more than the new stuff this year actually the whole line last year to me was better or maybe i m not used to change :-\ anyone got any comment on that?
heres a neat gizmo
http://www.eagleone.com/_products/1,5010602.asp
i use microfibers instead of chamois
and i read somewhere not to use wheel cleaner or degreaser in engine bay?
pink pearl or pink pet whatever that pink thing is on the end of your pencil gets the wax off the black
i use meg's nxt wash, polymer, spray wax and Eagle one for tire and windows, idk if anyone else used it but last year's eagle one 20/20 i liked ALOT more than the new stuff this year actually the whole line last year to me was better or maybe i m not used to change :-\ anyone got any comment on that?
heres a neat gizmo
http://www.eagleone.com/_products/1,5010602.asp
i use microfibers instead of chamois
and i read somewhere not to use wheel cleaner or degreaser in engine bay?
Last edited by JEAThirty5; Jun 1, 2005 at 04:47 AM.
