Getting Your Pride and Joy Ready for the Show Field (Mar 2026)

Always start with the wheels. If you do them last, you'll splash brake dust and grime onto your clean paint. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner and a soft brush. Don't forget the wheel arches, judges love to stick their heads in there.

Cover the car in a thick layer of foam and let it dwell for 5-8 minutes (not in direct sun!). This softens up the bird droppings and dust so they slide off without scratching.

Wash from the top down. One bucket has your soapy water, the other is just plain water to rinse your mitt. Truth be told, most swirls come from people skipping this and using a dirty sponge.

Spray an iron remover over the dry-ish paint. It'll turn purple as it reacts with metal particles from brakes and industrial fallout. Rinse it off thoroughly. This is crucial if you've been driving near railways or heavy industry.

Using plenty of lubricant (clay spray or even soapy water), glide the clay bar over the paint. If it's grabbing, use more lube. When the paint feels smooth as glass to your touch, you're done. Wipe it down.

Pull the car into the garage or under a gazebo. Use a high-powered LED torch to look for swirls and scratches. This is the moment of truth where you decide how much polishing is needed.

Don't be lazy, tape off your plastic trim and rubber seals. I once got polish on the black trim of a customer's Ranger and spent two hours trying to get the white residue out. Never again.

If the paint is hazy, use a medium compound on a foam pad. Work in small 50cm x 50cm sections. Take your time. You're trying to level the clear coat, not sand it off.

This is where the magic happens. Use a fine finishing polish (like Sonax Perfect Finish) on a soft pad. This removes the 'tick marks' from the cutting stage and brings out that deep shine.

Use an IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) mix or a dedicated panel prep spray to remove all the polishing oils. If you don't do this, your wax or coating won't stick properly.

For a show car, I reckon a high-quality Carnauba wax gives the warmest glow, but a ceramic sealant lasts longer in our heat. Apply it thin and even. Over-applying just makes it harder to buff off.

Clean the windows twice. Once with a wet cloth, once with a dedicated glass cleaner and a fresh microfibre. Polish any chrome bits with a metal polish to get rid of tea-staining.

Apply a thin layer of matte or satin dressing. Avoid the 'super shiny' greasy stuff, it looks cheap and attracts dust like a magnet as soon as you hit the road.