sp00lin_chic

Ok-
Theres a seafood festival out here (ya lame i know) that happens yearly in about 2 weeks. Its a pretty big deal to the locals (and some out of towners) and draws about 35,000 visitors to date, along with rides and entertainment, there is also an open car show. Most of the cars are classics, but recent makes and models are allowed as well. Im thinking of entering but I have never ever shown a car before so i wana know....

-whos shown their car before?
-what kind of products do you recommend to detail?
-any particular helpful detailing tips?
-how do i clean out the engine bay?
-and any other info that would help would be appreciated

thanks!

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MOPAR Stage 1/Bolted/Various cosmetics

spitsnaugle

I have not shown my csrt4, but i did my dragster, and my 74 challenger.

My process:
Wash, Including Engine bay And Wheels, (a wide-semisoft-brush only on engine bay, wheels & fender wells.)
Clay Bar.
Polish. (I use a rotary buffer lightly if needed, otherwise by hand)
Wax. (several times in light coats, foam applicator pad only, micro-fiber cloth only, flip cloth as you go)
I'd Take Wheels off and clean wheel wells and back side of the rims.
Our wheels are clear coated. Do not use metal polish, Use regular clear coat cleaner&wax.
Spraying a wide brush, armor-all plastic & rubber objects in engine bay. Also do the plastic fender wells with it.

Products:
Meguiars Gold Class Wax.
Meguiars Swirl Remover: "SWIRLX"
Zaino products are also awesome.
Black magic tire shine.
If you have deep swirls/scratchs: 3m micro-finish polishing compound and a buffer.
If your rubber, plastic, or black window strips is looking slightly faded, mothers "back to black" is great, but if it rains, it will streak down the side of the car a bit- so plan on using it with dry weather to follow.

hemipower57

damn i got tired just reading about doing all that work.. lol..

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Stage 1
20% tint
shorty antenna
drop in k&n filter

sp00lin_chic

thanks spits lol
meguiars products are great, i use them now sounds like alot of elbow grease but for the cali its worth it. thanks for the tips! i'll see what i can do

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MOPAR Stage 1/Bolted/Various cosmetics

WOT

LOL spooley
I know I know that dam cali guy again
Good luck, on the car show. I hope you win
But here my input, see if they have a daily driver class for the show.
That way you will have a chance, if not you have to compete against the trailer Queens.
Once agian good luck

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TEAM YORKIE
MODs: KW Flash : Magna flow exhaust: K&N Filter : PTP inlet tube : Stage 4 CM clutch
Locations of CSRT4

sp00lin_chic

lol...

you know your the only response i look forward to seeing when i post threads WOT but true dat, ive emailed the info guy on the event and asked him a few questions as well. haha trailer queens! thanks, i'm just excited about entering but itd be cool to place as well. hehe

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MOPAR Stage 1/Bolted/Various cosmetics

Juice0723

I only use Meguiars NXT products. Their highest line, all synthetic.

And by the way I used a brush at the car wash and rubbed the side of my car pretty hard to get the bird crap off. Then I noticed it looks dull and scratched up in that area. Like not as glossy as the rest of the paint. What should I do to make it look good again? Thanks.

spitsnaugle

Not to sound rude-ish, but I suggest not using a car-wash foaming brush on body paint. It often holds stones and dirt from previous cars. All I use it for is the very bottom of my quarter panels and wheels.
-Though Im normally using own sponge, if thats not an option, spray the brush out with the high pressure washer before using it, and dont rub too hard. :/

Any buffer and polish compound should bring it back to life, a DA or Orbital will be easiest. But if you dont have one laying around: a polish or meguiars swirl remover will do with some elbow grease.

Also On the Meguiars NXT sealant. That product lineup will indeed out last a standard carnauba wax, but it will not produce the same show-car warm-deep-wet-paint effect that you get with a good carnauba wax. My thought is its best to use synthetic at end of fall-over the harsh winter since its a stronger bond, and use a better looking carnauba in the summer. Just my opinion.


I'm a very picky guy when it comes to what goes on my car, and I've used a good # of products. ( I was a formerly a full time detailer )

Juice0723

yeah I never use the brush at the car wash and never really wash my car there. Just thought it would be fast and easy to get the bird crap off. I always wash my car at home. May just try the scratch X stuff from meguiars.

gtohrl

Just my 2 cents here, BUT, I highly suggest not using Armor-Al on ANYTHING!
Looks good for awhile, but this stuff attracts dirt and dust, doing more harm then good.
Plz. don't bitch me out on this.
Just what I have learned over the year's of trying it and what it has done to other's vehicle's.