First Car Show
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 683
Likes: 114
From: Hamilton Ohio
Take towels, quick detailer of your choice, chair and enjoy the day.
I use to take all kinds of stuff to clean and prep but finally narrowed it down to just the essentials. Also be willing to talk to anyone and everyone about your car or their car. Have fun!
I use to take all kinds of stuff to clean and prep but finally narrowed it down to just the essentials. Also be willing to talk to anyone and everyone about your car or their car. Have fun!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 3
From: slidell louisiana
depends if a peoples choice show (participants at show all vote for cars they like) or a judged show by points, (judged by points you need to clean everything and hope for nothing you missed , and I mean clean like you want to eat off of it. Have fun and as mentioned be nice to everyone who checks out your car they may be judging or at least voting on your car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 14
From: CT
Plus do not worry about winning a trophy or whatever else they have to offer. If it does happen all the better. Enjoy the day and comradierie of fellow attendees. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
I like the "show and shine" shows the best, and seem to do pretty well.
As said earlier, clean EVERYTHING and present your ride as best you can. You will needs lots of supplies once you drive to your spot, so be prepared.
The BEST thing that is going to happen is that you are going to meet some really great people.
ENJOY
As said earlier, clean EVERYTHING and present your ride as best you can. You will needs lots of supplies once you drive to your spot, so be prepared.
The BEST thing that is going to happen is that you are going to meet some really great people.
ENJOY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 60
From: VA
What supplies should I bring with me? I'm planning on bringing quick detailer, amoral, and glass cleaner. Anything else?
I'm really excited about prepping for the show and going to it. Hopefully I'll meet some other Vette owners in the area and maybe even join a club.
My dad has a Shelby cobra and goes to a lot of shows and always has a good time. I can't wait to experience it for myself. Thanks for the inputs so far, much appreciated!
I'm really excited about prepping for the show and going to it. Hopefully I'll meet some other Vette owners in the area and maybe even join a club.
My dad has a Shelby cobra and goes to a lot of shows and always has a good time. I can't wait to experience it for myself. Thanks for the inputs so far, much appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
What supplies should I bring with me? I'm planning on bringing quick detailer, amoral, and glass cleaner. Anything else?
I'm really excited about prepping for the show and going to it. Hopefully I'll meet some other Vette owners in the area and maybe even join a club.
My dad has a Shelby cobra and goes to a lot of shows and always has a good time. I can't wait to experience it for myself. Thanks for the inputs so far, much appreciated!
I'm really excited about prepping for the show and going to it. Hopefully I'll meet some other Vette owners in the area and maybe even join a club.
My dad has a Shelby cobra and goes to a lot of shows and always has a good time. I can't wait to experience it for myself. Thanks for the inputs so far, much appreciated!
I always bring a full bottle of QD, some ArmourAll for the tires (I actually do the lands and groves of the tires too to really set things off), glass cleaner, and a LOT of towels.
Have fun.
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Here's some advice that was posted on the forum in the past:
Question: My wife and I don't have a lot of time to spend with car clubs and stuff like that (3 kids...2 jobs...no time). But there is a local Corvette show coming up in August and I have been thinking about entering a car in the show. It's a $15 entry fee "wash and shine" deal with proceeds going to charity. This would be my first time to enter a car in a show.
I could not care less about winning, but it would be fun if I did win. I've never done one of these before and never really attended any smaller local shows. The car itself is clean and perfecto (a couple modifications, whatever). But how should I display the car?
All doors, hood, and trunk open? Closed? Make a poster? I have a ton of collectibles related to the car... Display those? I guess my question is, what is a nice and classy way to display your car for this type of an event?
Answer: Having been showing Corvettes since 1967, I've always leaned toward being tasteful. Being clean goes without saying but don't overdo the "modifications". Unless you are looking to being classified as "custom". When you arrive, make sure you clean your tires and I mean the treads too! I see so many Corvettes park and just wipe off the sidewalls and leave the treads a mess. Also don't forget the wheel wells. At least a week prior to any show, I take off the wheels and really get at those wells. Paint them if necessary and then when I get to the show, a shot of Armor All and they are good. Don't forget the calipers, they should be painted. I always park with the hood open as most shows require it. Do not open the trunk or doors unless asked. Why invite more for inspection, even though they had better be ready. After you have completely cleaned the car, run it out into the driveway in the noon sun and open all doors, hood etc. and look close as most shows are outside in the sun. Thinking it's clean in the garage and in the sun are two different venues. There is a ton of stuff to tell you but the best way is to do your best and when at the show walk around, talk to others there and learn from those that have done this for a while. I've never run into a Corvette owner that didn't want to talk about his "baby". And most of all HAVE FUN!!!
From my experience, the cleaner the car, the better. Don't forget the wheel wells, the engine bay and certainly the interior. Get a California Duster for the outside and a smaller one for the interior. Make sure the glass is clean and free of fingerprints, flim, etc. Don't forget to get the barrels of the wheels clean too. Keep some rags and either a chamois or something like an Absorber handy to help keep the car free of dust once you get to the show. I always leave the hood open as well as the trunk and once the judges get to the car I roll the windows down.
It is a lot of work if you want to present your car at its best, but most of all just have a good time. If your Dad is a car show veteran, I'm sure he has some good tips for you too. Honestly, every car show seems to be different in what is looked at in terms of the cars. Just do your best and learn from the experience.
Question: My wife and I don't have a lot of time to spend with car clubs and stuff like that (3 kids...2 jobs...no time). But there is a local Corvette show coming up in August and I have been thinking about entering a car in the show. It's a $15 entry fee "wash and shine" deal with proceeds going to charity. This would be my first time to enter a car in a show.
I could not care less about winning, but it would be fun if I did win. I've never done one of these before and never really attended any smaller local shows. The car itself is clean and perfecto (a couple modifications, whatever). But how should I display the car?
All doors, hood, and trunk open? Closed? Make a poster? I have a ton of collectibles related to the car... Display those? I guess my question is, what is a nice and classy way to display your car for this type of an event?
Answer: Having been showing Corvettes since 1967, I've always leaned toward being tasteful. Being clean goes without saying but don't overdo the "modifications". Unless you are looking to being classified as "custom". When you arrive, make sure you clean your tires and I mean the treads too! I see so many Corvettes park and just wipe off the sidewalls and leave the treads a mess. Also don't forget the wheel wells. At least a week prior to any show, I take off the wheels and really get at those wells. Paint them if necessary and then when I get to the show, a shot of Armor All and they are good. Don't forget the calipers, they should be painted. I always park with the hood open as most shows require it. Do not open the trunk or doors unless asked. Why invite more for inspection, even though they had better be ready. After you have completely cleaned the car, run it out into the driveway in the noon sun and open all doors, hood etc. and look close as most shows are outside in the sun. Thinking it's clean in the garage and in the sun are two different venues. There is a ton of stuff to tell you but the best way is to do your best and when at the show walk around, talk to others there and learn from those that have done this for a while. I've never run into a Corvette owner that didn't want to talk about his "baby". And most of all HAVE FUN!!!
From my experience, the cleaner the car, the better. Don't forget the wheel wells, the engine bay and certainly the interior. Get a California Duster for the outside and a smaller one for the interior. Make sure the glass is clean and free of fingerprints, flim, etc. Don't forget to get the barrels of the wheels clean too. Keep some rags and either a chamois or something like an Absorber handy to help keep the car free of dust once you get to the show. I always leave the hood open as well as the trunk and once the judges get to the car I roll the windows down.
It is a lot of work if you want to present your car at its best, but most of all just have a good time. If your Dad is a car show veteran, I'm sure he has some good tips for you too. Honestly, every car show seems to be different in what is looked at in terms of the cars. Just do your best and learn from the experience.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 60
From: VA
Here's some advice that was posted on the forum in the past:
Question: My wife and I don't have a lot of time to spend with car clubs and stuff like that (3 kids...2 jobs...no time). But there is a local Corvette show coming up in August and I have been thinking about entering a car in the show. It's a $15 entry fee "wash and shine" deal with proceeds going to charity. This would be my first time to enter a car in a show.
I could not care less about winning, but it would be fun if I did win. I've never done one of these before and never really attended any smaller local shows. The car itself is clean and perfecto (a couple modifications, whatever). But how should I display the car?
All doors, hood, and trunk open? Closed? Make a poster? I have a ton of collectibles related to the car... Display those? I guess my question is, what is a nice and classy way to display your car for this type of an event?
Answer: Having been showing Corvettes since 1967, I've always leaned toward being tasteful. Being clean goes without saying but don't overdo the "modifications". Unless you are looking to being classified as "custom". When you arrive, make sure you clean your tires and I mean the treads too! I see so many Corvettes park and just wipe off the sidewalls and leave the treads a mess. Also don't forget the wheel wells. At least a week prior to any show, I take off the wheels and really get at those wells. Paint them if necessary and then when I get to the show, a shot of Armor All and they are good. Don't forget the calipers, they should be painted. I always park with the hood open as most shows require it. Do not open the trunk or doors unless asked. Why invite more for inspection, even though they had better be ready. After you have completely cleaned the car, run it out into the driveway in the noon sun and open all doors, hood etc. and look close as most shows are outside in the sun. Thinking it's clean in the garage and in the sun are two different venues. There is a ton of stuff to tell you but the best way is to do your best and when at the show walk around, talk to others there and learn from those that have done this for a while. I've never run into a Corvette owner that didn't want to talk about his "baby". And most of all HAVE FUN!!!
From my experience, the cleaner the car, the better. Don't forget the wheel wells, the engine bay and certainly the interior. Get a California Duster for the outside and a smaller one for the interior. Make sure the glass is clean and free of fingerprints, flim, etc. Don't forget to get the barrels of the wheels clean too. Keep some rags and either a chamois or something like an Absorber handy to help keep the car free of dust once you get to the show. I always leave the hood open as well as the trunk and once the judges get to the car I roll the windows down.
It is a lot of work if you want to present your car at its best, but most of all just have a good time. If your Dad is a car show veteran, I'm sure he has some good tips for you too. Honestly, every car show seems to be different in what is looked at in terms of the cars. Just do your best and learn from the experience.
Question: My wife and I don't have a lot of time to spend with car clubs and stuff like that (3 kids...2 jobs...no time). But there is a local Corvette show coming up in August and I have been thinking about entering a car in the show. It's a $15 entry fee "wash and shine" deal with proceeds going to charity. This would be my first time to enter a car in a show.
I could not care less about winning, but it would be fun if I did win. I've never done one of these before and never really attended any smaller local shows. The car itself is clean and perfecto (a couple modifications, whatever). But how should I display the car?
All doors, hood, and trunk open? Closed? Make a poster? I have a ton of collectibles related to the car... Display those? I guess my question is, what is a nice and classy way to display your car for this type of an event?
Answer: Having been showing Corvettes since 1967, I've always leaned toward being tasteful. Being clean goes without saying but don't overdo the "modifications". Unless you are looking to being classified as "custom". When you arrive, make sure you clean your tires and I mean the treads too! I see so many Corvettes park and just wipe off the sidewalls and leave the treads a mess. Also don't forget the wheel wells. At least a week prior to any show, I take off the wheels and really get at those wells. Paint them if necessary and then when I get to the show, a shot of Armor All and they are good. Don't forget the calipers, they should be painted. I always park with the hood open as most shows require it. Do not open the trunk or doors unless asked. Why invite more for inspection, even though they had better be ready. After you have completely cleaned the car, run it out into the driveway in the noon sun and open all doors, hood etc. and look close as most shows are outside in the sun. Thinking it's clean in the garage and in the sun are two different venues. There is a ton of stuff to tell you but the best way is to do your best and when at the show walk around, talk to others there and learn from those that have done this for a while. I've never run into a Corvette owner that didn't want to talk about his "baby". And most of all HAVE FUN!!!
From my experience, the cleaner the car, the better. Don't forget the wheel wells, the engine bay and certainly the interior. Get a California Duster for the outside and a smaller one for the interior. Make sure the glass is clean and free of fingerprints, flim, etc. Don't forget to get the barrels of the wheels clean too. Keep some rags and either a chamois or something like an Absorber handy to help keep the car free of dust once you get to the show. I always leave the hood open as well as the trunk and once the judges get to the car I roll the windows down.
It is a lot of work if you want to present your car at its best, but most of all just have a good time. If your Dad is a car show veteran, I'm sure he has some good tips for you too. Honestly, every car show seems to be different in what is looked at in terms of the cars. Just do your best and learn from the experience.
Thanks for all the tips and advice, much appreciated!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
the single most important thing as others have said..never ever go into a car show and expect to win..go to have fun..meet other car people that have the same love and passion for cars that you have...and at the end of the show if they call your name..then well it just made the sun burn you got feel all the much better!
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth City, Outer Banks NC
depends if a peoples choice show (participants at show all vote for cars they like) or a judged show by points, (judged by points you need to clean everything and hope for nothing you missed , and I mean clean like you want to eat off of it. Have fun and as mentioned be nice to everyone who checks out your car they may be judging or at least voting on your car
Details to everything makes the difference in how they look at it.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 300
Likes: 15
From: Armpit of the Midwest
The last local show I had my 03 in the judge told me with the late models he mostly goes by how clean they are, as he took his hand , rubbed under the rocker panels, the backside of the wheel spokes, and lastly inside the exhaust tips...I didn't win
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 579
Likes: 130
From: Chaska Minnesota
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Always take an extra chair with me. I think I am going to try and make the Corvette Cup in Columbia, Mo this year. But I'm serious, no judging of my car. That's not me.
I appreciate the guys who are into it it's just not my thing. I'm going to try and make the show in Hannibal, Mo this august as well. I went last year, (didn't enter) but I want to go and support them for a number. Hannibal is a good time if you're into that sort of thing, Tom Sawyer Huck Finn etc
I think I am going to try and make the Corvette Cup in Columbia, Mo this year. But I'm serious, no judging of my car. That's not me.I appreciate the guys who are into it it's just not my thing. I'm going to try and make the show in Hannibal, Mo this august as well. I went last year, (didn't enter) but I want to go and support them for a number. Hannibal is a good time if you're into that sort of thing, Tom Sawyer Huck Finn etc
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
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http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-61-ad...-dressing.aspx
I use it on our SUV and on the C5 whenever I remove the wheels for a good cleaning.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Keep it wiped down and let people get close to it and talk nicely to them - you will enjoy it more and you may come away with a nice trophy!
Micro fiber towels and detail spray are your friend
Thanks,Matt
Micro fiber towels and detail spray are your friend
Thanks,Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,593
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I have been doing shows for over 7 years now and what has been side over and over again, go to have fun and meet people. Also as stated, what type of show is it, a judged show or participant judging.
A judge show has a tendency to be a little better as as far as did the best cars actually win, whereas a participant judged show, is more on who you know.
If this is your first show, I would do a good detail on the car inside and out. this includes the engine bay, wheel wells, barrel of the wheels complete interior. Take a top brand detail spray, some microfiber towels of a good quality. Tire dressing maybe, but if you did a good detail prior to the show, you may only need to touch up the tires when you arrive.
If this is a judged show, once the judging is done approach one of the organizers and tell them this is your first show and you would like to know if you can see your judging sheet after the show, so you know what you need to work on. At some of the shows the judges will even talk with you after they are done and give you some pointers.
The main thing is to go and have fun.
A judge show has a tendency to be a little better as as far as did the best cars actually win, whereas a participant judged show, is more on who you know.
If this is your first show, I would do a good detail on the car inside and out. this includes the engine bay, wheel wells, barrel of the wheels complete interior. Take a top brand detail spray, some microfiber towels of a good quality. Tire dressing maybe, but if you did a good detail prior to the show, you may only need to touch up the tires when you arrive.
If this is a judged show, once the judging is done approach one of the organizers and tell them this is your first show and you would like to know if you can see your judging sheet after the show, so you know what you need to work on. At some of the shows the judges will even talk with you after they are done and give you some pointers.
The main thing is to go and have fun.