I am detailing my car this thursday, and I want to clean it inside and out. I am taking it to a car show on Saturday and want the Z to shine like a ****. I bought Meguiars 3-step deep crystal system (1. Paint Cleaner, 2.Polish, 3. Carnuba Wax), Meguiars Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner, Black Magic Tire Wet, and Black Magic Professional Protectant for the interior. What should I expect of the final product? Since there will be a day span between the detailing and the show, should I cover it with my car cover? Will my California Car Duster mess with the waxing job? Do you guys have any tips or tricks to detailing? How do you clean up the engine bay? Any info or help here is greatly appreciated. This will be my first extreme detailing job, so please help me make her shine. Thanks everyone.

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Andy

1994 Z28 M6
Borla Catback Exhaust, Manual Fan Switch, SLP Cold Air Intake, SLP Clutch Disc, SLP Pressure Plate, Hypertech 160* Thermostat, Airfoil, TB Bypass, ACDelco Pro Platinum Plugs, ACDelco Plug Wires, '99 C5 Alloy Rims,
Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR Tires, 255/45ZR-17 Front, 275/40ZR-18 Rear, ASCD Big Block Hood, Kenwood CD Player, Kenwood 10-Disc Changer, 2 Rockford Fosgate 10's, Alpine Alarm...many mods still to come.

 

You should be ok and shouldn't need the car cover. To be safe, buy some Meguires detailing spray and use it before and/or at the show along with multiple 100% cotton towels for the final "show shine". Word of Advice, do not use quick detailer in direct sunshine when surface of car is hot.

The cali. car duster won't hurt the wax or paint, provided it is clean and clear of large debris (ie. other than dust) and it is only "tip-dragged" across the paint. Do not push or wipe with it.

You can clean the engine bay (if it is grimy) by covering all electrical connectors and the like with elastic bands and small plastic bags . Then spray Simple Green and rinse with a low pressure hose wash. You can finish up using a quick detailing product such as Jet Wax, or the like and just use some old rags to touch up dirt/water mark/grimey spots. Make sure you get all large, visible areas such as the battery top, the top of the engine, under the hood etc.

To do well at the show, I recommend applying the tire shine AT THE SHOW in case you sling any of it over the side of the car driving there if you applied it at home. As well, clean the rims at home, INCLUDING THE INSIDE of the rim and give them a quick wipe/shine at the show.

Dust every so often at the show, and take WINDOW CLEANER with you, even if you used it at home. Clean both the inside and outside of the windows.

I also recommend cleaning the paint inside the doors at home, and as much of the underbody as possible, even if it is only spraying it off if you are in a hurry.

Try to keep the interior dusted as well, and apply some interior protectant (pick up some Forumla 303 Aerospace Protectant, great product).

At the show, if you have T-Tops, I take mine out (make sure the tracks are clean inside). Turn your vents all the same way, make sure your seats are clean, make sure the carpets are clean and keep any paper/pens/cups/etc. out of sight.

Keep all cleaning supplies out of the car in a bag, or hidden in the rear.

Good luck



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Michael
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2002 Sunset Orange Metallic WS6 Coupe
GMMG Exhaust, MTI Clear Lid, BMR STB
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Sportside, 4.8 with 5spd
Street Scenes Grille,
HID Stage II Xenon Kit, Kenwood Speakers w/
12" Sub and Amp

 

What all must be covered to clean the engine bay?

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Andy

1994 Z28 M6
Borla Catback Exhaust, Manual Fan Switch, SLP Cold Air Intake, SLP Clutch Disc, SLP Pressure Plate, Hypertech 160* Thermostat, Airfoil, TB Bypass, ACDelco Pro Platinum Plugs, ACDelco Plug Wires, '99 C5 Alloy Rims,Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR Tires, 255/45ZR-17 Front, 275/40ZR-18 Rear, ASCD Big Block Hood, Kenwood CD Player, Kenwood 10-Disc Changer, 2 Rockford Fosgate 10's, Alpine Alarm...many mods still to come.

 

How many coats should I use?

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Andy

1994 Z28 M6
Borla Catback Exhaust, Manual Fan Switch, SLP Cold Air Intake, SLP Clutch Disc, SLP Pressure Plate, Hypertech 160* Thermostat, Airfoil, TB Bypass, ACDelco Pro Platinum Plugs, ACDelco Plug Wires, '99 C5 Alloy Rims,Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR Tires, 255/45ZR-17 Front, 275/40ZR-18 Rear, ASCD Big Block Hood, Kenwood CD Player, Kenwood 10-Disc Changer, 2 Rockford Fosgate 10's, Alpine Alarm...many mods still to come.

 

The California car duster may leave some paraffin streaks...especially if it's new or it is hot out. These can be easily touched up with a quick detailer though.


For the engine compartment...I usually spray Simple Green...let it soak and agitate with a paint brush to loosen dirt and then hose-off..BEING CAREFUL NOT TO SOAK ANY SENSORS OR ELECTRICAL PARTS! As soon as your done rinsing...start your car and let it idle to insure drying.

 

If you do the wax system the night day/night before the show, I suggest 1 coat of the cleaner, 2 of the polish and 2 of the wax.

With Zaino, i'd normally apply 1 of Z5/ZFX, then Z6, then 1 of Z2 before and then Z6 at the show.
Anything with wires or connectors I suggest covering, I haven't needed to do it myself as i've kept my engine bay clean since I picked her up

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Michael
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2002 Sunset Orange Metallic WS6 Coupe
GMMG Exhaust, MTI Clear Lid, BMR STB
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Sportside, 4.8 with 5spd
Street Scenes Grille,
HID Stage II Xenon Kit, Kenwood Speakers w/
12" Sub and Amp