I decided to enter my first concours (street category/exterior only) at the end of September. I just got the car waxed and sealed as I saw some recommendations to have that done a few weeks prior. My big question is what suggestions or tips could anyone offer...especially for the day of preparation when I get there. I live about 20 miles away from the grounds where it is and have a white car so any tips on how to clean it back up after the ride there are appreciated. thanks!

 

Take to Show ‘Kit’
Take to Show ‘Kit’
1. Optimum Opti™ - Clean Waterless Wash (general cleaning)
2. Optimum No Rinse™ (mixed to QD 1:20 strength) in a spray bottle
3. Stoners Invisible Glass (glass gleaner)
4. P21S Wheel Cleaner (spray)
5. ZainoZ-16 Perfect Tire Gloss
6. Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
7. P21S ****pit Premium interior dressing.
8. Zymol Lamb’s wool duster
9. Zaino Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal (paint surface ‘touch-up’ )

All liquids are in small Spray Master® Heavy Duty Spray Bottle, and a selection of 100% cotton micro fibre towels; all of the above fitted into a Griot’s Garage collapsible wash bucket

Collapsible Wash Bucket

A compact, collapsible wash bucket, that can also be used for wheel or tyre cleaning, so my bigger wash bucket doesn't get filthy dirty. If I'm on a road trip, or attending a car show so that I don't have to borrow the hotel room ice bucket if I want to wash my car. Keep it around the garage as a catchall trash can when you're cleaning the inside of a vehicle or toss your dirty micro fibre towels in to keep them off the floor.

The three gallon capacity is perfect and it's made from easy-to-clean nylon that's watertight. Folds down from 11" tall to 1 3/4" thin to store flat, includes a zip-up nylon storage case and soft-grip, fold-up handle – Griot’s Garage

 

You do not need to prep your car a few weeks before unless you plan on washing the car the day before. Spruce it up the day before and just carry a bottle of quick detail and several microfiber towels (10?) to wipe off any dirt and contaminants you've accumulated on the drive over. You can use this on all parts of your car including windows. Windows do not require a window cleaner. You can clean windows with a quick detail spray. Like any window cleaner, 1 spray of the towel is enough. Wipe down thoroughly and then flip over to a dry side to buff off any residue. This method goes for all parts of your vehicle as well to prevent any streaking.

 

thanks for the tips guys...the hard work paid off! the suggestion for the optimum no rinse was huge! i entered the street class as it was my first time ever competing. most likely would have take stand in the full concours seeing the condition and prep of the cars in that category. next time.....