Getting That Deep Show Shine: Prepping Your Ride for the Local Meet

Always start with the wheels. If you do them last, you'll spray dirty water all over your clean paint. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner (I like Meguiar’s Ultimate Wheel Cleaner) and get right into the barrels. If you've got red dust from a trip out west, you might need a stiff brush for the wheel arches.

Don't touch the paint yet. Layer the car in snow foam and let it dwell for 5-8 minutes. This softens up the bug splatters and bird droppings. If it's a 35-degree arvo, do this in the shade or the foam will dry and leave streaks that are a nightmare to get off.

Blast everything off with a pressure washer. Focus on the window seals and the fuel cap area. You'd be surprised how much sand hides in those spots.

One bucket with soapy suds, one with clean water to rinse your mitt. Go top-down. Wash a panel, rinse the mitt in the clean water, then back into the suds. It keeps your wash water clean.

While the car is still wet, spray an iron remover over the paint. It'll turn purple as it reacts with metal particles. Leave it for 3 minutes (don't let it dry!) and rinse thoroughly. This is the secret to a smooth finish.

Use your clay mitt with a bit of soapy water as lube. Run it over the glass and paint. When the 'gritty' sound stops, the panel is clean. This makes the paint feel like silk.

Rinse the whole car. Use a dedicated drying towel or, better yet, a cordless leaf blower to get water out of the mirrors and badges. Nobody likes 'mirror tears' on a show floor.

Get the car in the sun or under a high-lumen torch. Check for swirls. If the paint looks dull, you might need a light polish with a finishing compound. Honestly, for most daily drivers, a good 'All-In-One' polish works wonders without taking all day.

If you've got a dark car, apply a glaze (like Poorboy’s Black Hole). It fills in tiny imperfections and adds a ridiculous amount of depth. It won't last months, but for a show weekend, it's gold.

Apply your wax in thin, even layers. I prefer a paste wax for shows. Work one panel at a time and buff it off with a fresh microfibre. If you're using a ceramic sealant like Gtechniq, make sure you don't leave high spots.

Use a dedicated glass cleaner. Pro tip: wipe the inside of the glass horizontally and the outside vertically. That way, if there's a streak, you know which side it's on. Polishing your exhaust tips is a must, use a bit of Autoglym Metal Polish.

Apply a water-based tyre shine. Give it 20 minutes to soak in, then wipe the excess off with an old rag. You want a satin look, not a greasy mess that'll flick up on your guards on the drive to the show.

Once you're at the show grounds, use a quick detailer spray and a very plush towel to remove any dust from the drive. This is when the car really starts to pop.