first car show???
Thread Starter
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,327
From: maryland
first car show???
so guys i will be in my first car show sept. 7th and my baby aint much im just looking forward to going. can you guys give me some advice on how to get my car done up real nice. maby some of u have gone to car shows and know where to start. i mean i keep my car relitivly clean by washing it once a week or so and vacuming it. i waxed it once but that was it. i rly dont know where to start so maby u guys could give me some start to finish ideas lol. thanks for the help
Is the tide gonna reach my chair?
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,389
From: Nor'east
I entered my first car show this summer and won third in the 2005-2008 class. It was fun but took the whole day. Pack snacks, chair, hat & sunglasses.
Wash and wax the day/night before. Vacuum and wipe down everything. You will have to show under the hood, trunk and door jams. Bring your detail spray and tire shine with you to touch up when you get there. Make sure all glass is clean, including rear and side mirrors. Good Luck!
Wash and wax the day/night before. Vacuum and wipe down everything. You will have to show under the hood, trunk and door jams. Bring your detail spray and tire shine with you to touch up when you get there. Make sure all glass is clean, including rear and side mirrors. Good Luck!
5th Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,760
From: Northwest Ohio (Fort Wayne Area)
well there are several ways to go about cleaning it
you can do a full detail with polish clay bar glaze and wax
or you could just do a clay wash and wax to get a nice finish
went to my first big car show this summer it was a 2 day show and got second in the 99 - 04 group and i used all obsessive detail products
you can do a full detail with polish clay bar glaze and wax
or you could just do a clay wash and wax to get a nice finish
went to my first big car show this summer it was a 2 day show and got second in the 99 - 04 group and i used all obsessive detail products
corner carver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,371
From: New England
I would spend the day before doing a full detail. As intense as you can/want to get. Make sure to get your wheel wells clean. I hate seeing dirty wheel wells when I am looking at a clean car. It just takes away from an otherwise beautiful car.
Bring your detail spray and when you get here make sure to keep it clean. Sometimes the shows are on grass fields and the dust gets thrown all over the car.
Make sure you get your wheels cleaned after the ride up to the show. Brake dust just doesn't look good.
Bring your detail spray and when you get here make sure to keep it clean. Sometimes the shows are on grass fields and the dust gets thrown all over the car.
Make sure you get your wheels cleaned after the ride up to the show. Brake dust just doesn't look good.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,022
From: USA
Well...I have never been to a "judged" car show. But I have participated in many "participant-voting" meaning those who entered/registered their cars are given ballots. These have been my observations and my observations only:
- Yes, clean all just like mentioned above.
- Understand that, if the car show is sponsored by a club, and you are not part of that club...more likely than not, you dont stand a chance placing 1st or even 2d. Sorry, but that has been my experience. Oh, yes, I dont belong to any local car clubs.
- However, and that's a big HOWEVER, some car shows sponsored by clubs do not allow members to vote. If that's the case and your stang is competitive, you may have a chance at 1st or 2d.
- I have noted that most participant-voters only focus on the engine compartment. I have seen this personally. Most voters, for one reason or another, would not take their time considering the total car concept.
- I would recommend you prepare yourself for some long hours. Shorten those hours up by chatting with other folks, taking pics of the cars on your show and enjoying your day.
- Yes, clean all just like mentioned above.
- Understand that, if the car show is sponsored by a club, and you are not part of that club...more likely than not, you dont stand a chance placing 1st or even 2d. Sorry, but that has been my experience. Oh, yes, I dont belong to any local car clubs.
- However, and that's a big HOWEVER, some car shows sponsored by clubs do not allow members to vote. If that's the case and your stang is competitive, you may have a chance at 1st or 2d.
- I have noted that most participant-voters only focus on the engine compartment. I have seen this personally. Most voters, for one reason or another, would not take their time considering the total car concept.
- I would recommend you prepare yourself for some long hours. Shorten those hours up by chatting with other folks, taking pics of the cars on your show and enjoying your day.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 800
From: Wyoming
Clean it as best you can, especially the engine bay- if it's normal people judging the shinier the better.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
corner carver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,371
From: New England
Clean it as best you can, especially the engine bay- if it's normal people judging the shinier the better.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
Just go and have fun enjoy other people's cars and take pride in yours. Trophy's are cool but it is about fun.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,022
From: USA
Clean it as best you can, especially the engine bay- if it's normal people judging the shinier the better.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
Also, don't head into this expecting to win anything, just go for the experience so you do better at every show. Watch the other people, see what they clean and do, learn from that.
Thread Starter
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,327
From: maryland
thanks guys for the advice. ill be heading up to my local auto parts store tomm. to get all the goodies you guys/girls have recommended then ill finish up the hood pin project and clean the car saturday.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,099
From: Indianapolis, IN
As has already been said...first and foremost do NOT go expecting to win. If you get a trophy consider it an honor....do not look around and start analyzing why somebody got a trophy and why you did not. In laymens terms its a popularity contest. If its a Popular Vote show, then it really boils down to how many friends you have at the show...so again don't read into it.
Instead spend your time enjoying the cars, meeting new people and looking around for ideas on how to DISPLAY your car. Its not just about being clean and parking the car....but put on a creative DISPLAY. Informative signs about the car are always nice, window sticker is a plus, and anything unique and informative for people to BRIEFLY read to learn about your car. I use my window sticker, show sign, letter of authenticiy, and my flagpole as my display. Clean EVERY nook and cranny and open the trunk and hood (and clean all the jambs!) You don't have to do it, but I prop one door open to make it easier for people/judges to see inside. And if you are overly **** like me, DO NOT TOUCH signs are always a good idea.
Here is a pic of how I display my car:
Instead spend your time enjoying the cars, meeting new people and looking around for ideas on how to DISPLAY your car. Its not just about being clean and parking the car....but put on a creative DISPLAY. Informative signs about the car are always nice, window sticker is a plus, and anything unique and informative for people to BRIEFLY read to learn about your car. I use my window sticker, show sign, letter of authenticiy, and my flagpole as my display. Clean EVERY nook and cranny and open the trunk and hood (and clean all the jambs!) You don't have to do it, but I prop one door open to make it easier for people/judges to see inside. And if you are overly **** like me, DO NOT TOUCH signs are always a good idea.
Here is a pic of how I display my car: