Preparing cars for long distance shows

[THansenite]

I am curious if anyone has any words of wisdom for taking cars to car shows with a long drive. I hit a couple of car shows last summer in local towns so the drive was never a problem. This summer, however, I am planning on doing some driving to shows (3+ hour drives each way). It would be almost impossible to spend a whole day detailing the car, drive it to the show and have it still look like it did when you finished detailing. Anyone have any hints on keeping your car clean (I have already heard of the "painter's tape bra), or the most efficient ways to clean your car once you arrive at your destination. Thanks.

[SSMtC05]

Def the painters tape bra. Lots of show cars use them, also alot of people fully detail the car the night before even if it literally is the "night" before. Then when they get to the show its all about the quick spray detailer i noticed. they use it on the car itself, the wheels whatever. They always have a little thing with some detailing stuff. Also swiffer pads work good for removing dust without using water or anything on the interior, its what i use and they work great. I mean they work awesome in houses for dusting so why not in the car. Just my .02 hope it helped a lil.

Jay

[Neothin]

I'm in the same situation you are. I want to go down to scion exposed this saturday, but that's a good 2 1/2 hours away from me.

I went out and bought the Scion front end bra to protect the bumper and front of the hood. I'll be using painters tape on the mirrors, a-pillars, inside the side vents, etc. Ill also be taking some minor detailing supplies with me to clean up once i get to the show.

[waxgirl]

A lot of folks keep their rides in tip top show condition by trailering it to the show. Now there's nothing wrong with that but where's the fun? I feel that a car is meant and should be driven. That's why my biz partner and I drive our show car to every event.

We've driven to Vegas several times (4 1/2 trip across the desert) as well as San Diego (about 3 hours). So I know what you're going through. But here is our cleaning a prepping regime.

For small "fun" shows:
Day before- we start the day before by getting her as clean as possible. This would include washing, polishing (if needed) and waxing the entire car including the wheels. We'll take a look under the hood and clean up anything in there. Finally we go over the tires and leather interior with dressing. On goes the bra for the trip.

At the show:
Once at the show, we pull out the California Car duster and get all the trip dust off. Next the whole car is gone over with a quick detail spray which acts as a cleaner as well as help replenish the wax and shine. The tires and interior is gone over again with the dressing. The under the hood (once cooled) is inspected. We clean the tanks with the QD, dress the hoses with dressing and bush of any dust or grit from the rails with a soft brush. Then we pull out our lawn chairs and have a great time.

For big shows:
We just got back from the SEMA show and are now prepping for the Grand National Roadster show. These are pretty big events and call for a little more prep.
Several days before (and we can do this because she not our daily driver)- we start by getting her as clean as possible. This would include washing, an overall machine polishing, and waxing. We'll take the wheels off and clean both the outside and well as the inside of the wheels. We also clean the wheel wells and the suspension and whatever else we can get our hands on. We'll take a look under the hood and clean up anything in there. Finally we go over the tires and leather interior with dressing. On goes the bra for the trip.

At the show:
Once at the show, we pull out the California Car duster and so on and so forth... If it's an indoor show we then light the car and take a look. It's amazing how great the car can look in one light and "Yikes!" in another. So if needed, we detail to adjust for the lights.

It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun as well.

As for painters tape.... I wouldn't recommend it. Though it is meant to come off with ease it's not meant to be on a surface for extended lengths of time. And if it catches an edge or your paint isn't properly prepped you could have a problem. Even professional painters when laying out and painting flames need to really careful when pulling of tape as to not pull the base color up with it. And even though you may be putting the tape lightly, the force of the wind as you drive is pushing that tape on to you paint. At best the tape IS removing your wax, so unless you want to rewax your car at the show, stay away from the tape.

[ucyib2papi]

get the rockblokcer
(clear bra) good stuff

[jct]

or hit a up a local quarter car wash (insert lots and lots of quarters) when you get too that towns car show