Show prep?

[GINA]

Hi folks, I've been reading this forum for hours, so many good ideas and tips! I got a question for you all...

I'm going to start showing my car this spring/summer, but I've never done it before. I saw the tip about using painters tape to drive over there (my first one will be a 3.5 hour drive to Jersey), which I just might end up doing. Is there time once you get there to detail and clean up? Do you do all that after you register and are in place, or do you go off to the side somewhere in a lot and clean? Also, when it says registration starts at 9, judging at 12...I assume that time in between is spent freely to clean or do whatever? I'm sorry I sound like such a noob, but I want to do this right! Thanks for any help

[Mike Phillips]

I'm sure others that enter shows will chime in with some tips but the most important thing you can do is have everything prepped and ready before the show, that way when after you arrive all you have to do is quick touch-ups using products like a Quik Detailer, Quik Interior Detailer, Spray Wax, Glass Cleaner, etc.

[tgfhatch]

Gina,

I see your from Silver Springs, MD. What kind of car will you be showing? What show will you be attending in Jersey?

I live in PA and usually drive to ocean city maryland every year for the import show (3.5 hours, exactly is how far your going).

this might turn into a long post, but here's usually what I do:

I do use the painters tape if I'm going a long distance on the highway. Just to avoid any ROCK chips on the long road trip.

If it says that roll-in starts at 9 and judging starts at 12, what that usually means is that you can can access to the show field starting at 9 o clock. That means that you have between 9 and 12 to get your car cleaned and displayed. I personally get to the show at the earliest time you can. You don't want to be trying to detail your car while your judge is tryign to judge your car! So that why I get there early enough to be completly displayed and cleaned up way before the judge comes to your car! I usually register, park the car, then do all the detailing and clean up work for the car. also, if you get to registration early, you will get a better parking spot as compared to rolling in at 11:45 for a show that the juding starts at 12.

[tgfhatch]

as far as the steps in cleaning for the show, I usually follow this:

prior to the show:
1. vaccum the interior
2. complete exterior wash.
3. dry
4. if swirls or anythign are present, remove swirls or defects.
5. apply a polish
6. apply wax.

heres what i usually do the day of the show:
at the show:
1. remove painters tape if used.
2. clean interior from dash to trunk.
3. clean diamond plated floor mats
4. clean engine bay, valve cover, painted surfeces with MF and Quick Detailer.
5. dress engine bay with hyper dresssing or tire shine
6. detail polished strut bar, and all polished surfaces.
7. clean rims with MF and Quick Detailer.
8. apply tire shine or dressing (do NOT do this before leaving for the show. wait until you arrive at the show)
9. apply hyper dressing or tire shine to fender wheels so they shine.
10. clean windows! inside and outside!
11. detail exhaust with chrome cleaner
13. detail the exterior of the car with some quick detailer
14. some will disagree, but use the california duster or similiar type brush to remove any dust you might accumlate on your car.
15. turn on any display you might have (i.e. tvs, steror, strobes, neons).
16. sit back and admire your beautiful ride and wonderful detail job.
17. thank meguiars for producing wonderful products!
18. pick up your trophy at the end of the day!



Honestly, some times depending on the show, it can take me two nites for the car to get completly cleaned. for example, roll in for cars is Friday, show opens to the public saturday at 12. I've been known to stay til closing friday night, and arrive as early as possible Saturday morning to finish! This website has made me have the attention to detail that I've never had before!

[Murr1525]

Also, getting there early means you arent working in direct sun at noon....

[tgfhatch]

Murr, very very very true! Most of the shows that I attend are in-doors, so sunlight doesn't cause any problem.

if it's an outdoor show, then I will try to arrive very early to avoid the hot sun, and the high temps in the afternoon.

[GINA]

tgfhatch, I'm going to the Show N Go in Englishtown, i'm showing my 2000 Beetle. I plan on going to H20 also

Thanks everyone for clarifying! I can't wait until spring so I can pull out the clay and polishes and waxes and get this thing cleaned off. mmm show time

[tgfhatch]

awesome!! englishtown throws some awesome shows! as well as h20.

any pics of your bettle??

maybe paulvr4 could show us his sweet blue turbo charged vdub like it use to look!! it's one of my favorites!!

[GINA]

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3272

Here's my photo thread. I haven't taken any real glamour shots since I've done a lot of the mods, but you can take a look at the list and kinda picture how it looks

[vispreludevtec]

driving a couple hours to the show def is a pain. I usually go to the E-town shows, take me about 1 1/2 horus i get there. It isnt bad cleaning yur car as long as there is a fresh coat of wax...with the fresh coat of wax there is less that sticks to the paint

[electricgreen]

If I had the time I could really get indepth with this topic...

Judged or participant voting? If it's judged-clean everywhere, including underside of the car-most true judged shows will include points for the undercarriage.

I bring:
Quik detailer
glass cleaner
clear plastic polish
gc trim detailer
nxt trim detailer
tire dressing
spray wax (actually for my rims)
a lot of towels
q-tips
sunscreen!
a lint roller (for carpet/seat touchups)
a cali car duster
I know I am forgetting something, but it's been a long winter!

Make sure you clean in the wheel wells...and bring a fire extinguisher-some shows require them, almost all give points for them (again, judged shows). trunk and engine should also be spotless, and hood/trunk open for judging. If it is judged, display your owners manual and a brochure if you have them, that's usually points too.

[tgfhatch]

totally just curious but why would you show your owners manual or brocuhere about the car?? i've never seen anybody with their owners manual open and I've done plenty of judge shows!

just curious about that

[electricgreen]

Dunno, maybe it depends on the show-it's been a points breaker for me-but then again, I show in a stock class so maybe that is part of it. Window stickers & build sheets can be points as well. I think it's part of the MCA rules, but I've never done an MCA show either (MCA=Mustang Club of America). I do know verts should show with the top UP, and all cars should show with the glass up in high points shows-never been a dela breaker for me though. I showed top down in error at one show and still took a first, but I was told by someone that shows at national events that that should have cost me points....

[rammsteinmatt]

on the new beetle, there is a painted portion near the door handles on the inside of the car. just wondering if you wax that or what?