Mastering Show Car Preparation and Paint Perfection (Jan 2026)

Ensure the vehicle is parked in a fully shaded area, ideally a garage with a concrete floor that has been hosed down to suppress dust. In Australian summer, panel temperatures can exceed 70°C in the sun; you must wait until the panels are cool to the touch (below 30°C) before applying any chemicals, otherwise, they will flash and cause permanent staining.

Prepare three 15L buckets: one for wheels (using dedicated brushes), one for wash water with pH-neutral shampoo, and one for rinsing your mitt. Use grit guards in all three. This setup is critical to ensure that the red outback dust and coastal sand are trapped at the bottom and not dragged across the paint.

Dilute your APC (All Purpose Cleaner) to a 10:1 ratio for trim and door jambs. Ensure your Iron Remover is ready for use on dry paint. In humid coastal regions, chemicals may behave differently; always test a small inconspicuous area like the lower sill first to check for adverse reactions.

Blast the entire vehicle, focusing on wheel arches and lower sills where salt and mud accumulate. Use a 40-degree nozzle tip held 30cm from the surface. This removes 90% of loose grit before you ever touch the paint with a wash mitt, significantly reducing the risk of swirl marks.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam (ratio 1:9 in the cannon) to the dry vehicle. Let it dwell for 5-7 minutes, but do not allow it to dry. The foam encapsulates fine dust and softens sun-baked bug splatter. Rinse thoroughly from the top down.

Using a microfibre wash mitt, clean one panel at a time using the 'straight lines' technique (never circular). Start from the roof and work down. Rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket after every half-panel to ensure no grit is reintroduced to the clear coat.

On a wet surface, spray an iron fallout remover. Wait 3-4 minutes as the chemical reacts with metallic particles (turning purple). This is vital for cars near railways or industrial areas. Rinse thoroughly. Do not perform this in direct sunlight as the chemical can etch the glass.

Using a fine-grade clay bar and ample lubricant, glide the bar over the paint in 30x30cm sections. You are listening for a 'hissing' sound which indicates contaminants. When the bar glides silently, the surface is smooth. Knead the clay frequently to expose a fresh surface.

Before machine polishing, use a Paint Depth Gauge to check the health of the clear coat. Australian delivered cars often have thinner clear coats due to heat-cycling. If readings are below 80 microns, avoid heavy compounding and stick to a light finishing polish.

Apply 4 pea-sized drops of heavy compound to a wool or firm foam pad. Work a 50x50cm area using slow, overlapping passes with moderate pressure. This stage removes deeper scratches and oxidation. Wipe with a clean microfibre and inspect using a high-Lumen LED torch.

Switch to a finishing pad and an ultra-fine polish. This stage 'jewels' the paint, removing the haze left by the heavy cut. Use lower machine speeds (3-4 on a DA) and almost no pressure. This creates the mirror-like clarity required for show-winning finishes.

Mist a 15% IPA solution over the polished panels and wipe with a fresh microfibre. This removes polishing oils that can hide 'buffer trails' or holograms. It ensures the surface is chemically bare, allowing your final protection to bond perfectly.

For dark-coloured cars, apply a non-abrasive glaze. Glazes contain oils that fill microscopic imperfections and add an 'extra wet' look. Apply by hand with a foam applicator, let haze for 2 minutes, and buff off immediately.

Apply a high-quality Si02 sealant or a premium Carnauba wax. In the Australian heat, a synthetic sealant is often better as it has a higher melting point (approx 200°C) compared to natural wax (approx 70°C). Apply thin, even coats to avoid streaking.

Clean glass with a dedicated glass polish to remove water spots. Use a metal polish on chrome exhaust tips and badges. A show car is judged on the details; ensure no polish residue is left in the 'nooks' of the emblems using a soft detailing brush.

Apply a water-based tyre dressing for a 'satin' look rather than a greasy 'high shine' look which can sling onto the paint. Ensure the inner wheel arches are cleaned and dressed with a trim protectant to provide a black, uniform background for the wheels.