First thing you notice ???

When you see a clean "detailed car" what do you look at ???

My obsessive compulsive eye looks at the ...

1. Obviously ... Paint in direct sunlight !!! (especially black !!!)
2. Carpeting in hard to reach areas.
3. Wheel wells !!!
4. Wax residue !!!
5. Area just under the hood and grill ... (BUG TRAP !!!)
6. TRIM TRIM TRIM !!!
7. TIRES.. (Cleaned before dressed ???
8 Windows ??? (Should that be higher ???)
9. Inside the jambs !!!
10. Vents !!!

Classic car shows... Evidence of bad bodywork :bigscream !!!

Why to I feel like Dave Letterman !!!
:lmfao

:lol looks like you`re getting ready for Englishtown :lmfao

I usually notice residue around emblems or crevices first. Then, the other defects start to emerge. :D

We have probably viewed some of the same cars and we have both walked away with the same opinion !!! We can voice it here without hurting anyones feelings, but I have seen some really unbelievably bad bodywork at classic car shows !!!SOME OF THE WAVES !!! Makes me want to take up surfing !!! Who am I to criticize (I currently own not (1) classic) !!! I love classic cars and and I do feel disappointed at times when I see a car with potential that has fell victim to a bad restoration ...

True we probably have stood within feet of eachother looking at the same vehicles over the years...
After doing antique and classic car shows for so many years, and meeting the owners of them, i had to re-evaluate my critism....I have found that many people have a hidden love with their vehicle that most people don`t see. It may have been the first car they owned or had :naughty fun in. All they really care about is owning it. That being said, I shake my head and say nice car:D

ps.. I have a ton of funny car show stories:D including pledge takes the trophy:eek

The first thing I look at is the condition of the paint/bodywork. I used to do that full time many years ago ... You are right ... It is a shame how some of the cars look at shows ... and the really sad part is the owners think they look great. OH well as long as they enjoy it.
People are always telling me that I am too fussy.

Well, the first thing i really notice and appreciate first si the quality of the paint/body (as kim mentioned above), its the heart of the car...the bare essential.

Secondly i`d have to say Rims and tires. A freshly cleaned and polished set of rims really adds attitude to the car.

Thirdly id definately have to say the interior, especially the dash/console and driver cockpit (i.e steering wheel, gauge cluster). The cleanliness of the seats (both leather and cloth) and the flooring are crucial, i mean, the majority of the drivers time is spent INSIDE after all.

:D ;)

I typically pick up on paint defects first and foremost. Orange peel is my nemesis (although my truck has it everywhere... thanks Ford!).

Secondly, the wheels. I literally remove my wheels two or three times per year to clean the back side of them so that you see `clean` when you look through the holes on the wheels. Wheel wells are typically viewed when I see this as well.

Leather is my third. If the interior consists of leather, I`ll critique the heck out of it. Cracking, smoothness, luster... all important aspects.

Heck, why am I listing all of these out? I could go on for hours! I think this hobby borders on an obcessive compulsive disorder.

RP :D

I look for loose change around the car..

well you said the FIRST thing I look for - :lol

I think Clean Deans list is an excellent one. Some other good additions in this thread!

When I see a detailed vehicle from a distance, the first thing that catches my eye after the paint is the tires/wheels/wheel wells. Once I get up close, the first thing I look for is swirls/spider webs, after that, it`s all the other things mentioned in this thread.

Some of the "finest" swirls I`ve ever seen where at car shows! :(

I think i will add headlights between 5 and 6. (If it`s not consider part of the trim)
Some cars look very nice form the side, but when i look at the front, i see yellow headlights - not to satisfying.
Just my 2 cents

I saw a classic car show on the Speed channel, and it was horrid. They were praising these cars, and when the panned the camera over them it was like they just showed a HUGE spider web. Swirls swirls and more swirls...and those cars were winning!

I focus on the paint to see if there are any swirls
Wheel wells
Door jambs
wax residue
windows

What I`m looking for is how much attention to detail did the person look at. Most detailers here in my area do an OK job, to the laymen its a great job. To me its just an ok job, I`m looking for perfection!!!!!!!!!