Tips for the drive to the show

jpws6 · 05-27-03, 08:56

I am going to a pretty big show in about 2 weeks. However, it is about 3 hours away. I am worried all my detailing will go out the windows with the drive there. I don't even want to think about what the nose of the car will look like after the drive to the show. Trailering the car is not an option. Any tips on what to touch up when I get to the show or protecting the nose of the car? I am assuming a qd will be a must when I get to the show? Last question is my trans am has t-tops, should I leave them on or take them off. If I take them off they must be stored in the rear hatch of the car, they look kind of ugly back there and take up the entire storage area in the hatch. Any other tips?

MBZ 500E · 05-27-03, 10:20

I'm still new at this but I think I can answer a couple of your questions.

Regarding the T-Tops I would definitely install them. When going to a concours judges will be looking for a car that is 100% complete just as it came out of the factory. Judges may ask you to remove the T-Tops during the event to determine if any dirt resides in the rubber gasketing.

As far protecting the front the only thing I can think of that might work is a bra but then you take the chance of causing swirls if the bra slaps around in the wind. Other than that just bring a bunch of cotton swabs, toothpicks and your favorite QD and make sure you get their early enough to get the bugs off.

I'd also like to know of any suggestions when driving to a show, I'm attending my first one this weekend.

Good Luck

Lynn · 05-28-03, 06:03

I feel your pain. Every time we go to a show, it's at least a 200-mile drive. But we've also made drives from here in mid-Mo. to SC and Galveston. Every mile of the drive, I'm in fear of stone chips. One thing I do is increase my usual "following distance." An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Before my first long trip, one of my Jag buddies suggested making sure there's just a good bit of extra protection on the car, so that removing bugs etc will be extra easy with a wash.

But, frankly, if I don't get to the town with lots of extra time, I just hate doing an extra wash. So last time, I took Poorboy's Spray & Wipe with me, used it on the lower sections, then did a full QD on the car. Worked like a charm, and I was spared the added time of a wash/dry (plus the worry of getting a few waterspots). Of course, that's only an option if the drive has been in dry conditions.

Also, I don't use the "real" carpetmats during the drive. I use garbage ones, then put in the real mats when I get to the show. And, of course, take extra care when getting in the car that your shoes aren't particularly dirty.

That's just a few random thoughts ...

Richt · 05-28-03, 08:18

I put loads of news paper on the floor. Drive slow and smooth and try not to brake!!!! I try to leave the day before, and stay somewhere close where i can wash the car the night before.

Lynn · 05-28-03, 08:27

Newspaper? I would do that on very dark carpets. Otherwise, I'd be worried about the inks getting onto the carpets.

IndigoGTI · 05-28-03, 08:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Lynn
Newspaper? I would do that on very dark carpets. Otherwise, I'd be worried about the inks getting onto the carpets.

For that matter, you could go to a store like MJDesigns, or Michaels and get a roll of craft paper.

MBZ 500E · 05-28-03, 09:02

IndigoGTI,

I was thinking along the same lines, Home Depot sells rolls of paper used to cover carpeting/floor edges when painting the walls. It's cheap and easy and won't leave any residue.

IndigoGTI · 05-28-03, 09:10

Good idea, the stuff at Home Depot is probably a whole lot cheaper too.

gibbo01 · 05-28-03, 02:44

The last show i went to, there was a guy there who wrapped his front bumper and the front of his bonnet in cling film (the stuff you tear off to wrap your sandwiches in).
It looked pretty poor on the car, but once he peeled it off and used his QD there wasnt a fly splat or mark on it.

Brad B. · 05-28-03, 03:49

Like Lynn, I have taken the Jag hundreds of miles to Concours and bugs have always been a problem but they are really a quick fix with QD. It's not that big of a deal. You will QD with or without the bugs anyway. Never get to a show and wash, it's a double effort to have to dry and worry about water spots.

Take QD, do the body, the glass, the chrome, don't do rubber trim when you get there. Too much chance of getting that on the body and smearing. That should be done ahead of time before you leave. Take tire dressing with you. Spray the wheel wells when you get there. Take a roll of tape or lint roller for the carpets. Always have lots of MF towels and Q-Tips or medical swabs (better).

I personally don't like the paper mats idea because dirt will slide around on top of them. Old mats will hold dirt "IN" them and it won't slide off onto your clean carpets. They don't sound safe either.

Lynn · 05-28-03, 04:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Brad B.
don't do rubber trim when you get there. Too much chance of getting that on the body and smearing. That should be done ahead of time before you leave.

A double-AMEN, Brother Brad! Last month, when we got to the Concours venue, I just did not like the looks of my bumpers. So I hit 'em again with Back to Black. El Stupido! In my right mind, I knew that the bumpers need to be super-clean before applying B2B. And so I got a really really streaky look. It would have been better untouched at all.
So ... IMHO ... show time is not the time for rubber/vinyl treatment ... or for doing anything or using any product that you have not already used successfully at home.

Pats300zx · 05-28-03, 04:49

This is specifically why I invested in a trailer for towing my car to the shows. My car was getting abused on the highway and the prep time at the shows was awful.

So I decided that since I was going to be doing alot of shows that it was time to invest in a trailer.

As far as mats goes, I have a special set that are embroidered and that I only use at the show. I don't even put them into the car until I get there.

Here is a pic:

[IMG]<img src=http://streetchallenge.com/uploadpix/up/Mats.jpg>[/IMG]

I have used alot of Brads recommendations including lint remover and tape for carpets, q tips, and detailing the wheel wells once I get to the show.