show and shine compeition tips needed

[Andy69]

Im entering a show and shine at a car show in 3 weeks time. This will be my first attempt so im a bit clueless what to expect

As i feared, i fall into the newest class but have the oldest age car so in theory can be against brand new showroom cars in my 3yr old 30,000 mile vectra.

Ive got the paint as i want it now, with a real nice shine.
Ive cleaned the engine bay down and dressed it. (it has a nice satin shine rather than a gloss)
Ive given the underaches a quick blast but will be taking my wheels off and giving it a good scrub and dressing one weekend.
I'll be getting my seats and boot carpet shampoo'd (i have to use a pro valeter for this as i dont have a shampoo machine)
Obviously i'll be detailing the interior too,

The show and shine is a semi serious affair but they will taking into account age and useage of the vehicle when judging.

This is surely the best place for some hot tips on what impresses the judges, so i need all the autopian help i can get!.

Should tryes have a natural sheen or an OTT glossy shine?
Should the boot carpet be lifted to show the clean spare wheel?
Should the engine bay be glossy or natrual?
Is it a good idea to provide the judges with a specification as to the products/processes ive used, ie how the paint was prepared etc etc

Etc etc

(its not a full blown concours, just a competition to find the best presented car in each age class)

Thanks in advance guys, im sure with your expert advice i'll at least look like i know what im doing!

[Richt]

In the Peugeot Club show and shine was suppossed to be light hearted in comparison to the concours, it never was.

Try to get hold off a judging sheet to find out what exactly you are judged on.

It should give a breakdown

Ie

Engine bay (Total)
Paintwork
Glass
Undercarrige
Wheels
Arches
Spare Wheel
Interior
(sometimes this may be broken down onto sub areas, carpet, vanity mirrors, ash trays)

There where also points awarded automatically for age and mileage.

Is the car in a standard classs/modified class or mixed?

As for dressings I have always gone with the look I liked, depending on how authentic they are looking to judge on? I jave always dressed my tyres and engine bay with Autoglym Vinyl and rubber care which is on the glossy side and not been marked down.

Show off the spare, I doubt judges will care much about the process used to be honest.

Maybe this could help

Right Click and Download

http://www.pughosting.co.uk/205GTIRe...Misc/rules.pdf

My main tip is dont get carried away spending to much time on the paint and neglecting other areas, attention to detail all over counts. Make sure every nock and crannies is dirt free, ash trays, vanity mirrors. I used to spend so much time doing layer after layer off wax which would be better spend making sure everywhere is clean. The judge will look places you havent even thought about!

Dress the inside profiles of tyres, Take a trolley jack, Look at areas such as door hinges, seat runners, spare set off floor matts to put in at the show. If you have plastic arch liners, dress them at the show.

[Andy69]

wow!! thanks rich, it looks like a lot of work...

I'm doing bits over the next 3 weeks so i dont have to do everything on the morning of the show. never even thought of places like seat runners!!

[Richt]

The seats runners one was after an RS owners judge checked mine last year! Clean grease should be fine, just check its got no dirt stuck to it.

I had a long discussion with an RS judge on it saying all areas should be grease free, not a clever idea for a used working car with moving parts. Rembering these boys strip off underseal and trailer the to shows.

Once you have done a few, chatted to the judges, ( after judging ask for some pointers - most are happy to help) you will have more idea what to look for.

I think I did my first show and shine in 1999, and have never stopped spotting bits improve on or bits I have missed doing since. I judged at Trax for the Peugeot Club, this looks to be the first year since I wont be competeing in.

Be prepared to miss alot off the show as you will be cleaning! What time does the judging start, arrive with plenty off time to get everything as you want it.

[Lowejackson]

I still remember Markbigears talking about ensuring all the bolts were to be aligned for the Concours shows.

[Richt]

Yeah thats a good one - wheel centre emblems on each wheel should be the right way up, straight on every wheel, bolts, valves, locking nuts should match up in the same postion on each rim.

Inside of the exhaust should be clean. Changed my rear box last year so it was rust free!

[ScubaStevo]

A contest that I entered here, was very picky. They checked to make sure the underneaths of the seats ( motors and such) didn't have grease or anything on them. I was thinking, "what the heck do you expect, it needs them to operate!"