Show Cars...yeah right

[AeroCleanse]

Today I went to a local car show (Memorial Day). Lots of cars that looked good far away...up close you can see the spider webbing. Oh if only they knew how bad this makes their "show car" look.

I could not even pay attention to the rest of the car, the paint just looked so bad.

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Today I went to a local car show (Memorial Day). Lots of cars that looked good far away...up close you can see the spider webbing. Oh if only they knew how bad this makes their "show car" look.

I could not even pay attention to the rest of the car, the paint just looked so bad.

I see that at a lot of shows I go to and even walking threw parking lots It's hard not to put a business card on the windshield of nice cars that lack attention with a note on the back that says you really need to call me.

[CharlesW]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Unfortunately, it is all too common.
From street rods to Corvettes.
Even some of the cars valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars have paint that could use some attention.
Look closely at the vehicles at the Barrett-Jackson Auction and you will see what I mean.
Certainly not all, but still a lot of them are less than acceptable. (To me)

[cardriver]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Yeah, many people aren't aware of the whole other side of detailing, which is correction. They "polish", wax, and seal by hand or $30 orbital buffer all day long, and think that they are detailing. (Of course there is a place for stuff like that, but only when one has a good surface to begin with).
But what good is waxing if the car needs correction? They're just sealing in the imperfections .

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Unfortunately, very true.


Whether Barrett-Jackson, a local hot rod show, or even a concours show with cars valued at near a million dollars or more, the vast majority are still pretty swirled. We often give out a Meguiar's Best Paint Award at shows and it's often hard to find a single car (out of hundreds, usually) that truly has a "Show Car Shine". We've even gotten into discussions with folks who have spent a small fortune restoring a vehicle, and a ton of money on the paint, and they just haven't been educated about the swirls. It's not uncommon to point out swirls and mention that they shouldn't be there and can usually be easily removed, only to have the car owner look at us like we're talking silly. Most people simply haven't been taught what to look for.

[sleepy]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

I totally agree! My father-in-law sees classic cars come through his shop, and most of them do not know how to make them look their best. It is aggervating.

[TH0001]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

I cannot even go to car shows anymore! Seriously it freaks me out!

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Next car show, I'll have to try and approach some of the owners.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

more time spent on tuning? Owner is a tuner! I like both,tuning and detailing,wicked combo.

[C30-Mike]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

I saw a Jag S Type R series that was hologram to death. It was covered every square inch. Very sad for this fine car. The "detailer" should be banned from touching another car.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

it's all too common, unfortunately

[Ryan L.]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

more time spent on tuning? Owner is a tuner! I like both,tuning and detailing,wicked combo.

Talk about a wicked combo, I like going to the desert and rock crawling and driving in the dunes, mud then coming back and detailing.

Ryan

[Slicked]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Then there's the cars at motor shows...they need a thorough going over with M105 by the end of the show!

I cannot even go to car shows anymore! Seriously it freaks me out!

Todd's back! Haha welcome back mate. I want to see some of your details on here again finished off with M26 .

[BarryK]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

Today I went to a local car show (Memorial Day). Lots of cars that looked good far away...up close you can see the spider webbing. Oh if only they knew how bad this makes their "show car" look.

I could not even pay attention to the rest of the car, the paint just looked so bad.

as a detailer AND the owner of multiple classic collectable show cars I think that more information needs to be given before your complaint becomes a valid one.

When you say you saw cars with "spiderwebbed" paint I ask if you mean an older car with original paint on it. for example, older Corvettes in particular, because of the flex in the fiberglass bodies, is more common than not to see the original lacquer paints spiderweb over time. Pretty much almost every Corvette from the 50's thru the late 70's (with rare exceptions) with original paint on it you will find has spiderwebbed. The hardness of the lacquer paint and the flex of the fiberglass body causes the paint to crack (spiderweb). Spiderwebbing, in the form of actual cracks in the paint is not correctable short of repainting those areas or the entire car.
As much as a brand new, perfect concours quality paint job would look much nicer the fact is a classic car is original only once, including the paint job, and in most cases the car is worth more with damaged but original paint rather than a repaint that looks nicer.

Now, if you are referring to just a lot of swirling, not actual cracking, than yes, I'd agree with you that as a "show car" it may not of been prepared for the show well enough.

By the way, both of my classic Corvettes do well in "general car shows" but in specific Corvette judged events I only do "fair" simply because both cars have been repainted and the paint actually looks too good. The judges consider my cars "over restored" because the quality and look of the paint is WAY beyond and much nicer than what is considered "Typical of Factory Production" which is the basis that most classic cars are judged on.

I'm not sure what type of cars you were referring to in your post, but since you didn't specify it's important to realize that in many cases a less than perfect paint job at a car car can actually be more desirable depending on the type and age of car and the type of judging that is going on.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Show Cars...yeah right

There were all types of cars, from 1920's though a 2008 Viper. I know all about the crazing in fiberglass cars. We have all seen the spider web effect, those light scratches that often come from improper washing.