Show Car Finish

[nurse1]

I'm a little confused about creating a show car finish on my 09 Lincoln. Should I leave that to a professional ?

[Murr1525]

Re: Show Car Finish

Dont have to. You can get it pretty much perfect on your own, if you are able to put in a little effort.

But there are definately some good detailers in Cali, quite a few on here that would be glad to help/show you I'm sure.

What sort of shape is your car in now? Any swirls, scratches? Any pics of the surface possible?

Here is some reading for you as well:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Lessons from White Paint

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Show Car Finish

Well the last car show I went to had cars that made me sick!
My daily driver has better paint then those "show cars"
So I can tell you how to get at "daily driver finish"

[Murr1525]

Re: Show Car Finish

Maybe we need a new term to differentiate between "Show Car" Shine and "How its Supposed to Look" Shine.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Show Car Finish

Maybe we need a new term to differentiate between "Show Car" Shine and "How its Supposed to Look" Shine.

There always seems to be swirls and scratches in the paint in the majority of vehicles at any car show I go to. There should be a better name then "show car shine".

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Show Car Finish

Maybe we need a new term to differentiate between "Show Car" Shine and "How its Supposed to Look" Shine.

Exactly!

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Show Car Finish

When I talk to someone about it, I refer to it as a "true" show car shine. The kind of shine they'd want and not what they may have seen at car shows. Most people seem to know what I'm talking about since they are car enthusiasts that take care of their cars on a regular basis and can see swirls in paint. They have been to car shows where they were less than impressed, including local Saturday night meets and were disappointed in many cases. Frankly I've seen better work in dealer showrooms or on lots where used cars were freshly polished. Ever notice how there are less people, gathered around a few cars that actually have a "show car shine" as it's meant to be? Most don't really don't know nor can they see the difference.

Similarly, I think the word "detailer has a negative connotation attached to it and people have come to accept less quality and expect cheap prices. Some people that have had bad experiences when it comes to car care get a funny look on their face when I tell them what I do. I immediately know I have my work cut out for me trying to get their business and kind of accept at that moment that I won't.

Even though I'm pretty much getting started professionally (as in: my profession), I differentiate myself from the word "detailer" to potential customers by saying I'm a professional detailer, licensed, use professional products, etc. before they have a chance to ask me "how much?". I also tell them that I do not try to compete with "discount" detailers. I guess I feel I have to talk up what I do so I can separate myself from the stigma.

Same with "Show Car Shine", I think. If someone could get a new catch phrase for it and a reputation for delivering it, they might be on to something! Maybe "The New Show Car Shine"? Or, "The Next Generation in Show Car Shine"? Hey, I like that one! (copyright in progress)