Under-carriage Prep for Car-shows...

[Luster]

I certainly am liking this new 'Car Shows & Concours' category!

Since details matter at car shows, I thought I'd share some info about detailing the under-carriage.

When it comes down to judging time, and the white gloves go on........those judges are looking for any car that has a slight edge.

Prep during the week before the show:

1. I take off the wheels and clean or re-paint the shocks, springs, struts, calipers, rotors, etc.
2. I thoroughly clean and dress the wheel wells.
3. No rust can be allowed on the rotors. I always touch them up before a show.
4. While the car is up on jack-stands, I shoot a little silver hi-temp paint on the exhaust system and the fuel tank. (you never know when a judge will get down on all 4's and take a peek under the car)....

Prep at the show before judging:

1. Last-minute detailing of wheel wells, suspension and back side of wheels.
2. I lay a couple of mirrors on the ground to show off the "silver mufflers" and fuel tank. The under-carriage must be very clean to do this. But it definitely draws attention.
3. Next I dress the plastic air dam, front facia and any other visible parts under the front end of the car. (Mirror goes there too.) This is the hardest part of the entire car to keep clean, for a daily driven car.
4. Then One last shot of wheel well "dressing" before judging. (Tire Foam works great).....
5. The rest is simple...just detail the remaining parts of the car!


These little things will, for sure, increase the "Oh-My-Gosh" factor!!!!

[Brad B.]

I've seen your pic's and they are fantastic. Mind sharing some of the products and paints you use? Come on, we want those secrets!

I know many things I use are just for show day only.

ArmourAll (which I wouldn't use on anything else) is great for rough cast and porcelin headers to get them nice and black (not shiny) and hide powdery imperfections from aging metal.

Undercarriage spray from Griots is great at hiding dirt and making the hard to get at areas look uniform in color.

Canned air will chase the last minute dust out of wiring looms, vents and tough to reach areas.

Metal combs make carpets look perfect.

I always QD my wheels.

I agree, you better not see rust or unpainted surfaces on the brakes, hubs or wheels!

Dress up the valve caps on wheels, put a fine bead of silicone on the edge of wheel weights so they don't catch dirt and dust. Paint or polish brake fluid lines.

There's tons more ideas!

[Richt]

I love the exhaust paint idea. Im def trying that one.

Autoglym bumper care is great for removing underseal.

Dont forget to dress the spare wheel, if it is under you car.

Mave heard of people get the undercarrige floor pan painted

[NickATRvtec]

It helps if you have a polished s/s exhaust like me anyway

[Richt]

I would if somebody made one that fitted!

[Pats300zx]

Luster,

Those are some great tips. I have spend alot of time detailing my rear suspension. I have powercoated alot of the suspension pieces and have polished the exhaust all the way up to the X-pipe.

I have attached a quick pic. I have since powdercoated other pieces and detailed more of the suspension. Having the open car trailer allows me to sit on the ground and work on the suspension very easily.

I have a full sized closet type mirror that I put on the ground at an angle at the rear of the car. People can stand and look down and see the entire suspension without crouching.

I love Griots Undercarriage Spray. I use it on alot of the suspension parts and wheels wells right before a show.

[Luster]

Originally posted by NickATRvtec
It helps if you have a polished s/s exhaust like me anyway

They do make one for my car, but it's about $1000 installed!

There is a lot of stuff a grand can purchase besides exhaust for me.

Is your polished stainless exhaust from the factory or aftermarket?

[Luster]

Pat.........

That picture ROCKS!!!!!

Is that a daily driver?

I just love the way that looks........

We're into some serious fanaticism here!

[Brad B.]

Awesome!

I don't do the customizing you do, but I spend a lot of time replacing standard hardware with stainless steel washers, nuts and bolts. It looks stock but has a little extra shiney zip and is maintenance free! I imagine you do the same.

[Pats300zx]

Luster..

No its not a daily driver anymore. Its been a garage queen for the last 2 years or so since I seriously got into showing it.

Thanks for the nice compliments though...

[Luster]

Originally posted by Brad B.
I've seen your pic's and they are fantastic. Mind sharing some of the products and paints you use? Come on, we want those secrets!

SECRETS REVEALED!!!!

For undercarriage work, (and engine bay work).....I use PlastiKote Hi-Temp Engine Paint. It comes in a variety of colors (30-40, I believe)....and is extremely durable.

I do a lot of prep for engine bay painting, hardly any prep for undercarriage painting.

I originally started doing the exhaust painting because I would be following a car at night and notice my headlights shining on a filthy muffler!

Then I got my new DynoMax mufflers and noticed that the installer sprayed the welds with PlastiKote Hi-temp Aluminum paint.

LIGHT BULB!!

I immediately bought some and my rear end is super clean (bet you're glad to hear that!).....

The only prep I do is to VERY LIGHTLY sand.........we're talking 5 minutes max for the entire exhaust system.......just enough to get the big chunks off.

That paint really sticks........I've never seen it flake or peal.

That's about it. You'll be surprised how clean it will stay. Silver just doesn't show dirt.

Good luck!

Here's the paint.....

[NickATRvtec]

Bill,

Its an aftermarket race system custom developed by a specialist motorsport company. Cost me £760 in total (about $1200).