Topic: Tips for Cleaning and prepping for a car show.

[DKutz]

So as I ready my car to hit the show field.  I would love to hear what everyone else uses and processes used to prep their car for a show.  WHat type of cleaners for interior/engine/ext?  Any special tips??

[Dudley]

With the variety of cleaners and waxes available, plus personal techniques each of us develops over time, this can be a very interesting topic and thread once it gets rolling.

[DKutz]

Well I was thinking of special tricks like I have heard people using furniture polish ??  for parts of the car??

[midlife]

A commonly used "trick" is to use newspaper to clean the windows.  After using it to remove the wetness, take a dry sheet by itself to the window as a final cleaner. 

Another "trick" is to go front/back on one side of the side windows and up/down on the other side.  This allows you to determine which side of the window has the streak.

[DKutz]

OK so I am not getting replies....  How about this??

• What do you use for Tire Dressing?
  
  What do you use to Clean Engine bay?
  
  Cleaning Seats?
  
  Window Cleaner?
  
  Detailing Tools?
  

[CharlesTurner]

What do you use for Tire Dressing?

Try not to use dressing on tires

What do you use to Clean Engine bay?

Usually use quick detail and a microfiber towel.

Cleaning Seats?

Vacuum out good, use quick detail spray.  Mineral spirits for small marks.

Window Cleaner?

The Griot's aerosol can with window cleaner is good, I use their glass cleaning towels.


Detailing Tools?

Horsehair brushes, several types, touch-up paints, cosmoline spray, boeshield, plenty of microfiber towels.

I like using Turtlewax Ice liquid polish on the whole exterior, rubber gaskets, glass and all.  Gives everything a little extra "newness".

[priceless]

Charles, On the very last sentence on your post you mention using "Turtlewax ICE liquid polish". I found this at our local auto parts store, I haven't bought it yet.
Is this what your talking about using on whole exterior with rubber gaskets, glass and all? It actually says "wax", not polish. But is this what your talking about?

We had the Mach1 painted 3 years ago with basecoat/clearcoat in Acapulco blue and I haven't done a thing to it since.
My painter, 3 years ago, said to use the 3M Perfect-It polishing compound when we were ready to use it for small scratches, etc, then follow up with any good wax/polish of our choice. He recommended a few (Meguiars, Turtlewax, etc,) but said it would be our choice.

I figure if the Turtle wax ICE liquid polish can be used on rubber, glass, etc, I would like to try it.
Also, can it be applied by hand and would it work on my '67 with acrylic enamel?

Thanks for any help.

[CharlesTurner]

No, that's not the same stuff.  The turtle wax ice that I use is a clear liquid that is applied to a foam pad and then wiped off with a microfiber towel.  It's called "liquid polish" on the bottle.

[priceless]

Thanks for the response. Can't find it in my area, may have to order online. I would like to try it.

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks for the response. Can't find it in my area, may have to order online. I would like to try it.

Seen some on ebay.  It works really well, I use it on my new(er) cars too.

[5F08KGT]

Well I was thinking of special tricks like I have heard people using furniture polish ??  for parts of the car??

You might have seen and met me mostly at the Silver Springs show in Florida where my friend and I routenly polish my Black '65 K GT Convertible with lemon Pledge........

My restorer told me and showed me about the use of pledge on parts of the engine compartment and underside of the car, so we deceided to try it on the paint.........really shines it up.....

Folks-Don't knock it until you try it!

[AU SNK]

Window cleaner - Stoner's Invisible Glass, best window cleaner in my opinion, does not streak and can be found at any parts store or walmart.


My favorite car wax is Rejex, esp on dark cars, amazing shine/super slick and it last a really really long time. I waxed my black 2010 shelby about 10 months ago and it is still beading water like it had just been applied. I waxed our 66 Survivor Fastback 3 years ago with it and it is still great (granted car rarely gets driven but at car shows). It still looks so good I wont be waxing it for the 50th.

If you use it, it has to cure for 12 hours before the car can be in sunlight.

 - http://www.amazon.com/Corrosion-X-61002-Rejex-16oz-Bottle/dp/B0006V0LNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394458682&sr=8-1&keywords=Rejex

[Bob Gaines]

Window cleaner - Stoner's Invisible Glass, best window cleaner in my opinion, does not streak and can be found at any parts store or walmart.


My favorite car wax is Rejex, esp on dark cars, amazing shine/super slick and it last a really really long time. I waxed my black 2010 shelby about 10 months ago and it is still beading water like it had just been applied. I waxed our 66 Survivor Fastback 3 years ago with it and it is still great (granted car rarely gets driven but at car shows). It still looks so good I wont be waxing it for the 50th.

If you use it, it has to cure for 12 hours before the car can be in sunlight.

 - http://www.amazon.com/Corrosion-X-61002-Rejex-16oz-Bottle/dp/B0006V0LNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394458682&sr=8-1&keywords=Rejex

FYI most carnuba waxes will evaporate off the surface over time needing to be replenished even if not exposed to the elements.

[AU SNK]

FYI most carnuba waxes will evaporate off the surface over time needing to be replenished even if not exposed to the elements.

that is the good thing about Rejex, it is a synthetic  polymer coating

[J_Speegle]

Must be getting near show season for this older thread to spring back to life