Getting That Deep Wet Look: Prepping Your Ride for a Summer Car Show

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 brushes to get right into the barrels.

Spray an iron remover over the whole car. If you've been driving near train lines or even just heavy traffic, you've got metal particles stuck in your paint. It'll bleed purple, that's how you know it's working.

If you've got a pressure washer, use a thick snow foam. Let it dwell for 5 minutes (out of the sun!) to lift the surface dust. This is the only way to avoid those 'love marks' or swirls.

Use the two-bucket method with a high-quality pH neutral soap. Start from the roof and work your way down. I reckon people rush this bit, but taking your time here prevents 90% of scratches.

Run your hand over the paint (use a plastic sandwich bag over your hand to feel the bumps). If it's not smooth as glass, use a clay bar with plenty of lubricant. This pulls out the embedded grit that washing won't touch.

Don't use an old chamois, they're rubbish and scratch paint. Use a dedicated large microfibre drying towel. I actually like to use a leaf blower (or a car dryer) to get water out of the mirrors and badges so it doesn't drip later.

If you have swirls, use a light finishing polish with a DA polisher. I'm a big fan of Meguiar's M205 for a show finish. Work in small sections, about 50cm square. Don't rush it, the heat will make the polish dry faster, so work in the shade.

Before you wax, you need to strip the polishing oils. Use an IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) spray or a dedicated panel wipe. This ensures your wax actually sticks to the paint, not the polish residue.

If you've got a dark-coloured car, a glaze like Chemical Guys Black Light adds a crazy amount of depth. It hides minor imperfections and makes the paint look like it's still wet.

For shows, I still reckon a high-end Carnauba wax beats a ceramic spray for 'warmth'. Apply it thin, I mean really thin. If you can see it clearly, you've put too much on and it'll be a nightmare to buff off.

Clean the glass twice. Once to clean, once to buff. Use a dedicated glass towel. For chrome, use a fine metal polish to get rid of any oxidation. Nothing lets a show car down like foggy chrome.

Apply your tyre dressing. Use an applicator sponge so you don't get 'sling' on the guards. For plastic trims, use a UV-protectant like Aerospace 303. It's not greasy and won't turn white in the sun.

Give the engine bay a wipe down. You don't need to douse it in water; just some APC (All Purpose Cleaner) and a rag. If the judges see a dusty bay, you're out of the running.