HELP - Car Show!!

Reflections · 04-18-06, 12:52

Woohooo!

So a friend of a friend has a white 04 Lancer that's appearing in several import car shows here in Calgary, and I'm going to be sponsoring it (detailing in exchange for advertising) to get the word out about my business.

First of all, it has a carbon fiber hood. Is this polishable? Do I just treat it with a sealant or wax like I would with paint?

This car is also his daily driver, so I'm expecting some paint correction might be needed. He has vinyl stickers on his car. How do I polish around those? My initial guess would be using my PC would be ok, but the rotary is out? Any suggestions?

The car is white. What process should I use for the best show car look? Should I glaze it? The last white car I did, I compounded, polished, used AIO, then FK1 spray sealant topped with pink wax, then the FK1 polymer detail spray (the pink stuff) and it came out pretty darn nice. For a show, would I want to do a few layers of SG? FMJ? P21s wax or pinkwax?

I'm really relying on you guys here! It's my first show and I'm excited but nervous! Woohoooo help!!

MachB5 · 04-18-06, 01:26

I saw Scottwax do a white Acura that was simply jaw-dropping. He used OP/OC mix (50/50) w/ a polish pad and then followed with a P0106FF/RMG Mix (70/30) w/ a polish pad. He removed with Optimum spray wax and then topped with something I don't remember. It looked deep and wet. It's going to be my next go-to combo on white for sure.

his thread is here: http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69925

scroll to the CL part.

I would use AIO on the hood. If it's in bad shape I would think a finishing pad and something like FPII would be OK. You won't affect the weave as it's prolly clearcoated.

I would tape over the vinyl and then hit around it with a spot buff pad and some polish. After he wins a bunch thanks to you, ask him to get the graphics and text painted on

racingbeat · 04-18-06, 01:30

don't forget the tires! Michelin makes a good over the counter product for tire dressing.

Sounds like your AIO/FK method is worth repeating. I have the similar process for my Arctic SIlver.

A good swirl remover will be in order if its going to be under overhead lighting. I'm giving Poor Boys SSR 2.5 a shot this weekend. I'd stay away from those decals with the PC.
I'm sure Carbon Fiber is given a clear coat so that will need swril removal too. The products you have already should do a good job on the hood.
Keep the 425 (pink liquid stuff you referred to) handy at the show for windows a doors. You might get allot of random finger prints. After applying 425 tell the judges to touch the car!

Guaranteed 1st place

holland_patrick · 04-18-06, 02:02

Just wax it.. you'll see detaiing is not something they take in to mind... granted it will be nice but this won first in it's class...

MachB5 · 04-18-06, 02:13

[quote=holland_patrick]Just wax it.. you'll see detaiing is not something they take in to mind... QUOTE]

yeah...i guess it depends what kind of show it is. if it's an outdoor, parking lot show chances are holland is right. under the lights though is a different story. i just remembered these civics i did a while back for a show. i spent all kinds of hours and they ended up under a parking garage with yellow lighting. i was pissed initially, but then I remembered that I did it for the owner and he was thrilled. also, I didn't feel like I had bamboozled anyone and that I rep'd my services as best i could for all those interested.

Reflections · 04-18-06, 03:27

Wow great advice everyone. For some reason I hadn't even thought of taping over the vinyl - that's probably the way to go. He has a very high quality carbon fiber hood so I'm pretty sure it's clear coated (haven't seen it yet) and so I can just polish it as normal. I have optimum polish/compound so I could try that combination. I have RMG, but no P2349rF03 or whataever it's called. I have IP and FP2 though.

The car's only 2 years old but was driven all year (read canadian winters) so I think it will definately need a 2 stage polish. Tires I have meguiar's endurance high gloss and regular, and am pretty happy with both of them.

The show is indoors so I expect some pretty harsh lighting. I will be attending the show with my trusty bottle of 425. Suggesting the judges touch the car is a great idea! I always tell people to touch my work truck (06 Pontiac Torrent) which I hit with the 425 every second day or so. Feels amazing!

I'm probably going to be detailing the engine bay too, which I haven't done since going "pro" (not for numerous years actually). I have sonus engine koat or whatever it's called, as well as wenol and auto wenol, 303 APC, 303 protectant, poorboys trim restore ... suggestions are welcome. Trying to avoid spraying degreaser on to the ground, but the engine bay shouldn't be too dirty to begin with.

The first show he's appearing in is a couple weeks away so I'm not really planning on ordering any new products, but I suppose I do have time. Is it worth ordeirng some Souveran or is the P21s or pinkwax gonna suffice? I want to do this right!

Holland, I hear ya that they might not even care, but I have to do my best because my reputation's on the line. As well, the guy I'm detailing the car for knows a lot of people, so that's a good enough reason for me even if he wasn't entering a show. I'll also be on site promoting my business, so I have to have a product that will hopefully blow people's minds away! Sorry to hear about your civic experience though, that sucks!!

P.S. is it worth polishing the head/tail lights? I have two full bottles of Plast-x sitting here. PC's the way to go I assume? What kind of pad would I use - polishing or finishing?

holland_patrick · 04-18-06, 06:51

I forgot.. the vynal decals just hit then with what ever they will not come off...

and i have done 2 ambulances.. with nothing pealing off yet..

Twister · 04-18-06, 08:11

I've done a few shows with my daily driven TA. I've never detailed the TA myself as I have a friend do it all for me (I just don't trust myself with the car yet) When he has detailed it for me we made sure to hit the tops of the car with the most detail. The hood, the top of the fenders and other areas like that are where most of the lighting will reflect off. When we do the shows we use 3M compund then follow up with some Tropicare swirl cutter and then tropicare polish. It has always come out looking great. There are a lot of people that can't believe I drive the car everyday. I have a set of stripes on my car and we have used a PC on them and they are still fine but not much pressure was applied and we didn't sit and go over them like we did the paint it was more of a pass over to get to the rest of the paint

I say use the products that you have used before. I would want to make sure I use something that I'm familiar with so I make sure not to get any unwanted surprises.

MachB5 · 04-19-06, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by holland_patrick

I forgot.. the vynal decals just hit then with what ever they will not come off...

and i have done 2 ambulances.. with nothing pealing off yet..

Just be careful that the vinyl is is excellent shape when going over and you should be good. No pressure, quick pass to get to the paint like Twister said. But if any of the lettering is thin (Like a 'Y' perhaps) or the vinyl is not new and not 1005 pressed down, the polish will lift. At worst, you'll never get it to stick again. And depending on the place your boy gets vinyl...it can be costly. Good luck and show well!

Reflections · 04-19-06, 10:11

Yes apparently the vinyl he has is very intricate and thin with some parts as deliciate as dots and such, so I'm going to play it safe and carefully tape over it, and if there's any small parts surrounded by vinyl that need polishing (which I doubt) I will give it a quick pass by hand instead. Thanks for your well wishes and I'll let you know how it goes!!

Twister · 04-19-06, 02:06

I wish I could find my other pictures but for now this is all I could find from my 1st real car show last year