A friend of mine requested that I help him with some cement overspray on his black 1999 Caddy Deville. His wife had driven over the cement over one month ago (waited long enough!), and he said that there is a large amount of one cement on side of the vehicle. I was thinking of using a (Sonny's) medium duty clay bar with a QD, however I am always open to suggestions if anyone handled a similiar problem differently.
This is a common question but no definitive answer. The claybar is unlikely to work. I have tried that unsuccessfully. The best bet is to pick at it with your fingernail and most of it will pop off. Then use a swirl remover or light abrasive to polish the surface clean.
To a car guy, SEMA is in one word overwhelming. I must have answered about 30 calls asking about SEMA, what was it like, how where the girls (of course this is what guys really want to know), etc.
This was my first time at SEMA (previously I had watched coverage on the Power Block) and my first in Vegas in a number of years. From the humid swamp of Florida, it is nice to be in the arid climate and not sweat from deciding to go outside. As I mentioned in my previous thread, we had layover in Charlotte (North Carolina) and then a slightly bumpy ride into Las Vegas. We checked into our rooms at 9:00 PM Vegas time (1:00AM by my clock, still trying to deal with Day Light Savings), and after dinner and several glasses of wine, I made my way back to my room in Paris (Las Vegas, to avoid confusing those who are easily confused.).
The interesting thing about having your time clock scrambled like eggs with a beater is that you wake up, fully awake, but painfully tired, at weird times. I was up and dressed by 4 in the morning Vegas time, and figured I would like a sight seeing stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard. At 4 am there is an amazing cross section of life that wonders The Strip with such hollow stares that you might as well be bird watching in the rain forest. With my ?Sighting Book? in hand I began the check off the weird subsets of humanity that passed by: Half Irish, Half Guatemalan Investment Banker wearing a cloth nose and top hat. Check. Thirty something housewife with a 10k Gucci dress and $5 dollar slippers: Check. 40 year old dentist dressed like a 21 year old Axle Rose. Check. And down the list of interest and rare birds until it was time to return to safety and eat breakfast.
Breakfast digested, Paris (Las Vegas) is several stops down the Monorail to the Convention Center. After a crowed ride we arrived? And my jaw dropped. Peering from the Monorail pick up above the Convention Center, you get your first taste of car guy heaven. There are hundreds of show cars sprawled across the parking lot in front of you and a see of people darting back and forth. Meguiar?s Car Crazy is filming on a Stage slightly to the right, the entire complex fills the immediate horizon in the background. To the right is a mud track where Baja Trucks are jumping hills and filling the air with unruffled V8 glory. Awesome!
Outside and along the walk way from the corridor is Monster Truck Row.
Captain Jack admiring one of the original ?Big Foots? (Feet?)
Look at the size of this monster! A Baja Limo?
The parking lot area is filled with numerous vendor tents and show cars. The hot cars where obviously the newest Muscle Cars from the Big (now little?) Three: The Camaro, The Challenger, and The Mustang.
These Challenger?s have been customized to look like ?71 Barracudas!! How Sweet!
But like most of the car?s on display, inside or outside, I was amazed by the amount of swirls in the paint. I don?t know why I do this to myself, but I am so obsessive that I sometimes cannot enjoy a car if the paint is this poor. For the sake of not ruining SEMA I decided to try to not look!
A very cool Challenger?
With swirls?.
Okay, no more, I promise!!!
Because Jack and I where on crazy schedules from the onset on Tuesday until mid day Thursday, I didn?t take many photos of the cars until the end of the third day. However here are some more cars from outside the Convention Center.
An original GT40.
A wild blown engine on one of the hundred or so Mustangs out front.
A 250 Ferrari GTO.
Crossing from the center of the car paddock to the main entrance (dodging the swarms of people) you run across the Car Crazy Stage. Barry is a pro at interviewing, even with a crowd around him and you know a big name in the industry is close by.
Walking into the doors for the first time is insane as the center stretches out in all directions. I believe there are 4 different halls and number I hear is 2 million square feet (please correct me if I am wrong, anybody). It is hard to give an accurate perspective.
On day one our first stop was the Meguiar?s booth. To be honest I excited to finally meet some of the guys that we all hear so much about.
Myself and Mike Pennington.
New for 2010...
And old for 2010...
Day one consisted of criss crossing the huge expanse of car guy heaven, shaking hands, and checking out new lines and products. It may have been the first time in my life that I have enjoyed shopping, and felt a brief glimpse of the Euphoria my wife feels walking into a mall, armed with a credit card, and scouting for sale signs.
Any time spent not shopping was spent in meetings with suppliers and companies.
At closing we made our way across the Ford Platform and ran into this crew of amazing detailers from Meguiar?s including Jason Rose, Kevin Brown, and Nick Chapman.
Here are some of the cars these guys where responsible for making look good (lucky cars).
The ride back to Paris (Las Vegas) was interesting because I sat next to Art Whipple of Whipple-Charger fame. We had an interesting discussion about internal combustion and I was in awe of what is a true legend in performance industry. After a bite to eat with Eric Dunn and Jay Snyder from Lake Country, it was ready for bed. Once again I awoke at 4 AM Las Vegas time and decided to resume my bird watching adventure along the strip. Gruffy Biker guy dressing in a fur coat and a skirt. Check. Grandmother of 4 dressing in too little. Check. LVPD chasing down a man on their Enduro Dirt Bikes. Check.
Day Two at SEMA was really a continuation of Day One. Breakfast, Monorail Ride, Walk, Talk, Check stuff out, Repeat and Rinse with two capfuls of vinegar.
I finally had a chance to meet my friends from across the pond: Dom and PJ from Dodo Juice.
This Hot Rod has the coveted Blackfire Wet Ice over Fire combination and looked stunning (and swirl free) under the lights. I must shake the hand of the person who did the detail for their skill and product knowledge
This Auburn Boat Tail Speedster was on of the highlights of the show for me. Swirl free, razor sharp, and perfect gaps through out. I can only imagine the work that went into sculpting this fine work of art.
Our final day at SEMA was Thursday, Day Three. I finally woke up around the right time although I suspect this was more a consequence of hanging out with PJ and Dom the night before, then any real adjustment.
The first half of the day was the busiest yet as we had to tie up all loose ends. I did have some more time to photograph some cars and take pictures.
Jack didn?t know he would find his next car at SEMA (it wasn?t on the shopping list) but given the average skill of driver in Florida, this military vehicle should make dealing with traffic a little easier.
And the twin .50 Caliber guns will keep the road ahead clear.
Jack was also considering this VW rocket and trying to out run the opposition.
Sweet!
This car/truck was awesome but the shifter was even cooler!
Women MMA fighter and champion, Cyborg.
A very sweet Yenko!
Dan Wendell from Dodo Juice USA and myself.
Tony Lauer from Zaino Bro?s and myself. Tony and I actually know each other as he has helped me polish out a couple of Ferrari?s in the past.
Awesome Todd!!! I'd love to go next year. How does a commoner like myself go about getting a "BUYER" badge? (I do have my own small business... LUSTERSHINE Automotive Detailing):thumbup:
Seeing all your photos brings back memories as I did not have time for many photos. My favorite car was the Auburn Boat Tail Speedster, I loved the color. Next year I hope to go again.
Went last year and it was really cool, I thought it was busy but every vendor was saying it was off about 40% due to the economy. Hopefully this year it was better. Seems like a good time, my feet hurt after day 3... thick ass carpet is not good for miles of walking!
