Car show advice?

[jrd699]

Getting ready for my first show tomorrow. Car is prepped, clean, and ready. I guess what I'm asking, what should I bring with me tomorrow to make my chances @ winning better, and my time more enjoyable? I have rolled through a few shows, but have never competed. Suggestions appreciated :beer:
Tent? Car prep tips? Ect...

 

[truebluedevil02]

bring some lawn chairs, a hat, and some water, sit back, relax, and watch all the people touch and brush up against your ride. Ive been in several shows and been to A LOT of meets and that's all that happens, ive even had people open my doors and mess with wires under my hood. Never leave the car unattended, obviously.

 

[jrd699]

So don't freak out if some one touches the car :dw:

 

[Ibleedblue13]

Sounds like you might also need to dust off your pimp hand tonight, you know, just in case...

 

[Scott_GT_CS]

Here is my list which you will want to customize of course:

What to Bring:

- Folding Chair(s)
- NHRA Seat Cushion
- Cooler and Ice Packs
- Bottles of Water & Coke Zero
- Build Documentation Binders and Display Materials
- Die-Cast GT/CS Display Model
- Copies of Car Ownership and Insurance Forms (In Glove Box)
- Poster Stand and GT/CS Poster
- GPS and Car Charger
- Umbrella
- Plastic Garbage Bags (2)
- Tarp (To cover items removed from trunk)
- Books and/or Magazines
- Entertainment DVD
- Camera, Spare Battery and SD cards
- Back Pain Medication

Cleaning Kit:
- Glass Cleaner and Cleaning Cloths
- California Duster
- Water in a Spray Bottle
- Several Damp Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Several Dry Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Quick Spray Detailer and Detailing Cloths
- Leather Cleaner and Cloths
- Bug and Tar Remover and Cleaning Cloths
- Scratch Doctor
- Tire Shine and Applicator Cloths for Under Hood Hoses
- Cleaning Tooth Brushes and Honeycomb Cleaning Paint Brush
- Q-Tips
- Paper Towels
- Black Towels
- 12v Vacuum
 
Car Preparation:
- Vacuum Interior Carpets and Rear Parcel Shelf
- Replace Front Floor Mats with Ford Racing Floor Mats
- Vacuum Trunk
- Wash Car in the Shade if Possible (place towel over engine to absorb water that enters the Hood Scoop
- Wash Wheels and Tires
- Dry Car and Wheels
- Wax or Spray Detail the Car
- Wipe Under Trunk Lid and Spoiler (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Under Hood (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Engine and Engine Compartment as Required to Remove Any Dust
- Wipe Radiator and other Under Hood Rubber Hoses with Tire Shine
- Polish Under Hood Billet Aluminum
- Wipe Under Gas Door and Polish Billet Gas Cap
- Clean Interior and Exterior Glass
- Wipe Dash and Steering Wheel
- Wipe Door Panels
- Wipe Seats and Centre Console, Clean with Leather Conditioner as Required
- Wipe Door Sills and Door Surrounds
- Remove Stones Embedded in Tires
- Load GPS with Show Location
- Wipe Trunk Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Wipe Door Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Clean Exhaust Tips

On Location Setup:
- If Possible Select a Potential High Pedestrian Traffic Area in the Afternoon Shade
- Drive onto Display Board Stand and Place GT/CS Poster on Stand
- Register the Car if You Have Not Done So Already at the Entrance Gate
- Open Hood and Wipe Hood Area (Leave Hood Open Unless it is Raining)
- Place Mustang GT/CS Die-Cast Model on the FRPP Strut Brace
- Place Build Documentation Binders on Radiator Cover
- Open Trunk and Wipe under Trunk Area, Remove Chairs and all other material from Trunk
- Place GT/CS Laminate and GT/CS Window Laminate on Dash
- Close and Center Air-Conditioning Vents
- Place Mustang Hat on Passenger Side Seat
- Ensure no other Objects or Material are Visible in the Car Interior
- Wipe Car Exterior Carefully with California Duster (Shake Duster Before and After Use)
- Take Several Pictures of the Car From Different Angles in the Display Area
- Windows Can Be Left Open if it is Not Raining or Not Too Dusty

Best of luck to you!

 

[jrd699]

Holy hell! I think that will cover it! Thanks for taking the time, and bringing to my attention all the "little" things. Very well written. I have a lot of work to do. I'm off to search eBay for die cast! Thanks again....John

 

[Njc0las]

Here is my list which you will want to customize of course:

What to Bring:

- Folding Chair(s)
- NHRA Seat Cushion
- Cooler and Ice Packs
- Bottles of Water & Coke Zero
- Build Documentation Binders and Display Materials
- Die-Cast GT/CS Display Model
- Copies of Car Ownership and Insurance Forms (In Glove Box)
- Poster Stand and GT/CS Poster
- GPS and Car Charger
- Umbrella
- Plastic Garbage Bags (2)
- Tarp (To cover items removed from trunk)
- Books and/or Magazines
- Entertainment DVD
- Camera, Spare Battery and SD cards
- Back Pain Medication

Cleaning Kit:
- Glass Cleaner and Cleaning Cloths
- California Duster
- Water in a Spray Bottle
- Several Damp Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Several Dry Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Quick Spray Detailer and Detailing Cloths
- Leather Cleaner and Cloths
- Bug and Tar Remover and Cleaning Cloths
- Scratch Doctor
- Tire Shine and Applicator Cloths for Under Hood Hoses
- Cleaning Tooth Brushes and Honeycomb Cleaning Paint Brush
- Q-Tips
- Paper Towels
- Black Towels
- 12v Vacuum
 
Car Preparation:
- Vacuum Interior Carpets and Rear Parcel Shelf
- Replace Front Floor Mats with Ford Racing Floor Mats
- Vacuum Trunk
- Wash Car in the Shade if Possible (place towel over engine to absorb water that enters the Hood Scoop
- Wash Wheels and Tires
- Dry Car and Wheels
- Wax or Spray Detail the Car
- Wipe Under Trunk Lid and Spoiler (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Under Hood (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Engine and Engine Compartment as Required to Remove Any Dust
- Wipe Radiator and other Under Hood Rubber Hoses with Tire Shine
- Polish Under Hood Billet Aluminum
- Wipe Under Gas Door and Polish Billet Gas Cap
- Clean Interior and Exterior Glass
- Wipe Dash and Steering Wheel
- Wipe Door Panels
- Wipe Seats and Centre Console, Clean with Leather Conditioner as Required
- Wipe Door Sills and Door Surrounds
- Remove Stones Embedded in Tires
- Load GPS with Show Location
- Wipe Trunk Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Wipe Door Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Clean Exhaust Tips

On Location Setup:
- If Possible Select a Potential High Pedestrian Traffic Area in the Afternoon Shade
- Drive onto Display Board Stand and Place GT/CS Poster on Stand
- Register the Car if You Have Not Done So Already at the Entrance Gate
- Open Hood and Wipe Hood Area (Leave Hood Open Unless it is Raining)
- Place Mustang GT/CS Die-Cast Model on the FRPP Strut Brace
- Place Build Documentation Binders on Radiator Cover
- Open Trunk and Wipe under Trunk Area, Remove Chairs and all other material from Trunk
- Place GT/CS Laminate and GT/CS Window Laminate on Dash
- Close and Center Air-Conditioning Vents
- Place Mustang Hat on Passenger Side Seat
- Ensure no other Objects or Material are Visible in the Car Interior
- Wipe Car Exterior Carefully with California Duster (Shake Duster Before and After Use)
- Take Several Pictures of the Car From Different Angles in the Display Area
- Windows Can Be Left Open if it is Not Raining or Not Too Dusty

Best of luck to you!

Damn I had to make sure this wasn't another bugout bag thread.

 

[Mr. Mach-ete]

Holy Hell at that list.

 

[wvmystichrome]

bring some lawn chairs, a hat, and some water, sit back, relax, and watch all the people touch and brush up against your ride. Ive been in several shows and been to A LOT of meets and that's all that happens, ive even had people open my doors and mess with wires under my hood. Never leave the car unattended, obviously.

True! The last show last year I had more hand prints on my car than I could imagine.

So don't freak out if some one touches the car :dw:

True! Just watch they don't lean back on it with keys or rivets on their jeans and stuff. A drunk went to sit on mine one time and a friend reacted before I could even move. Drunk apologized and ran away as fast as he could stumble.

Here is my list which you will want to customize of course:

What to Bring:

- Folding Chair(s)
- NHRA Seat Cushion
- Cooler and Ice Packs
- Bottles of Water & Coke Zero
- Build Documentation Binders and Display Materials
- Die-Cast GT/CS Display Model
- Copies of Car Ownership and Insurance Forms (In Glove Box)
- Poster Stand and GT/CS Poster
- GPS and Car Charger
- Umbrella
- Plastic Garbage Bags (2)
- Tarp (To cover items removed from trunk)
- Books and/or Magazines
- Entertainment DVD
- Camera, Spare Battery and SD cards
- Back Pain Medication

Cleaning Kit:
- Glass Cleaner and Cleaning Cloths
- California Duster
- Water in a Spray Bottle
- Several Damp Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Several Dry Detailing Cloths in Plastic Bag or Container
- Quick Spray Detailer and Detailing Cloths
- Leather Cleaner and Cloths
- Bug and Tar Remover and Cleaning Cloths
- Scratch Doctor
- Tire Shine and Applicator Cloths for Under Hood Hoses
- Cleaning Tooth Brushes and Honeycomb Cleaning Paint Brush
- Q-Tips
- Paper Towels
- Black Towels
- 12v Vacuum
 
Car Preparation:
- Vacuum Interior Carpets and Rear Parcel Shelf
- Replace Front Floor Mats with Ford Racing Floor Mats
- Vacuum Trunk
- Wash Car in the Shade if Possible (place towel over engine to absorb water that enters the Hood Scoop
- Wash Wheels and Tires
- Dry Car and Wheels
- Wax or Spray Detail the Car
- Wipe Under Trunk Lid and Spoiler (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Under Hood (To Remove Any ``White`` Water Spots after washing)
- Wipe Engine and Engine Compartment as Required to Remove Any Dust
- Wipe Radiator and other Under Hood Rubber Hoses with Tire Shine
- Polish Under Hood Billet Aluminum
- Wipe Under Gas Door and Polish Billet Gas Cap
- Clean Interior and Exterior Glass
- Wipe Dash and Steering Wheel
- Wipe Door Panels
- Wipe Seats and Centre Console, Clean with Leather Conditioner as Required
- Wipe Door Sills and Door Surrounds
- Remove Stones Embedded in Tires
- Load GPS with Show Location
- Wipe Trunk Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Wipe Door Weather Stripping with Tire Shine
- Clean Exhaust Tips

On Location Setup:
- If Possible Select a Potential High Pedestrian Traffic Area in the Afternoon Shade
- Drive onto Display Board Stand and Place GT/CS Poster on Stand
- Register the Car if You Have Not Done So Already at the Entrance Gate
- Open Hood and Wipe Hood Area (Leave Hood Open Unless it is Raining)
- Place Mustang GT/CS Die-Cast Model on the FRPP Strut Brace
- Place Build Documentation Binders on Radiator Cover
- Open Trunk and Wipe under Trunk Area, Remove Chairs and all other material from Trunk
- Place GT/CS Laminate and GT/CS Window Laminate on Dash
- Close and Center Air-Conditioning Vents
- Place Mustang Hat on Passenger Side Seat
- Ensure no other Objects or Material are Visible in the Car Interior
- Wipe Car Exterior Carefully with California Duster (Shake Duster Before and After Use)
- Take Several Pictures of the Car From Different Angles in the Display Area
- Windows Can Be Left Open if it is Not Raining or Not Too Dusty

Best of luck to you!

Good list.

 

[PSUCOBRA96]

some people should no better, I have a do not touch a damn thing policy when I go to shows, cars are tehre to be looked at and I gain nothing by touching it.

 

[Lambeau]

Stay away from participants that have those tent/pop-up shade things. If the wind blows, car's are gonna scratched/dented...

 

[Almighty-One]

Wow awesome list...but also made me remember why I hate participating in car shows lol

 

[cobrakidz]

Just go and have fun, if you win great, if not don't sweat it. A friend got so wrapped up in shows it would ruin his day when he didn't win, hated going with him after that. Good luck.

 

[DJ Red Barron]

I have been doing the car show thing for 15 years or so. I am not NEARLY as die hard as a lot of people I know. I don't spend days or weeks cleaning the car up in advance. I don't do major engine & undercarriage cleanups either. I usually just do a good interior cleanup & vac as well as a good exterior wash & polish. I throw a couple of chairs in the trunk along with an ice chest and a small cleanup kit to touch up a little bit once I park the car. Once the touch up is done, I set up my chairs. Usually chill for a while then go look at the rest of the rides in attendance. I personally don't go expecting to win. I just go to enjoy the company of other car people and check out the other cool rides. Granted, I have my share of trophies and awards. I just don't go in expecting them and I certainly don't care if I don't win anything.

Ultimately, these things are for fun. So whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it!

 

[nckissfan]

just go have fun, who cares if you win. Is it nice to win, yes. But, I would rather just hang out with a bunch of car people, and look at some nice cars, than take home a piece of plastic.

 

[xtremeskime21]

how'd you do? i go to car shows, but i usually don't park my car in the show.

 

[snkchmr 1]

If you can’t stand loosing do not show! Judges are human & will do the best they can. 5 different judges can judge the same car & come up with different scores. Then some judges will let personal taste get involved with judging & that’s not a good thing. As far people touching your car get over that. If you have your car in a show to be judged they will have to open doors to look it over. I tell our judges to always ask if it’s ok.
Put your car in a display class & enjoy your day stress free.

 

[Camaro_94]

I usually go to piss off the locals in the Corvette club. For some reason, they hate my car (since I modded it and its not a garage queen).

I just wash it before I go and bring a few chairs + a cooler.

 

[jcthorne]

My advise, forget all the 'car show trinkets' dont bring books, previous trophies, photos (unless you built the car from a heap) or other 'display stuff' folks are there to see the cars, not your crap.

bring a chair and a small cooler of drinks, detail towels and some detail spray. Thats about it. Have fun, talk with folks and enjoy the day. If you get an award fine but in a year or two you will be filling a dumpster with plastic car show trophies. Who cares, every show gives out so many that they are mostly meaningless to anyone but you as a memento of the day.

After showing cars for better than 20 years, the only awards I keep more than a year are really special ones like 'best of show' and 'peoples choice'.

Its hard to hold a line on folks touching the car. If you cant stand to see someone touch the paint, don't go. On the other hand folks will get out of line. Leaning, opening doors or moving ANYTHING are out of bounds and needs to be corrected. That said, I let far more go than I should. Folks tell me all the time I should speak up. Im not a good a$$h01e. If someone asks to sit in the car, I will usually let them, even snap a photo for them. But they should NOT assume.

 

[wvmystichrome]

I am hosting one for my church's youth group. One lady said I believe we can get 65 cars in this one area here. I said NO. More like 30 to 35. People have to be able to walk around and look without touching the cars. She did not understand. DUH! True blonde.