With the Charlotte AutoFair running September 21–24, there’s no time like the present to start getting your car ready for the show. Drawing in some of the most attentive auto enthusiasts in the Southeast, the fall car show in Charlotte, NC, is not one where you want to skimp on presentation. If you plan on selling or showing vehicles at the exhibit, there are some critical steps you’ll want to take beyond the standard car wash.

While every collector car owner develops their own methods for detailing their vehicles, most will agree that it’s essential to follow these guidelines:

• Wash the Right Way: Since the goal of detailing is to make your car as presentable as possible, it’s important to wash the body in a way that won’t spread contaminants around the nooks and crannies. Generally, it’s best to start with rinsing the tires and engine first to eliminate all the debris that could be hiding in those parts. Next, wash and rinse the car from top to bottom, allowing any dirt to flow away from the exterior. To make sure you aren’t reintroducing dirt and grease to the exterior, make sure all sponges are completely clean—or just use fresh ones.
• Polish & Wax: Once the car is dry you can apply tire dressing, polish, and wax to enhance the exterior’s shine. Follow all instructions on your clay bar application of choice to carefully buff out any surface imperfections. Polishing will also help add depth and shine to the exterior paint. Next, completely wax the surface to ensure that the paint is protected. Depending on your preferences, you may find a combination polish-wax formula to perform both jobs in one application.
• Spend Time With the Interior: Detailing the interior of your vehicle before a car show should require more than just a quick vacuum and wipe. For example, you may want to address any cosmetic issues with interior features, such as knobs, buttons, or handles. If the interior is leather, you’ll want to make sure to properly condition all the seats ahead of time to prevent fading and an inconsistent appearance. If you have carpet floors, a deep steam cleaning is also recommended. Next, use a trusted auto glass cleaner to make the windows and windshield crystal clear and free of any smudges.  

Following these steps, you’ll be sure to capture the attention of buyers, judges, and auto aficionados at the event this September in Charlotte, NC. For more details on the biggest car show in the Southeast, visit the Charlotte AutoFair website or call (704) 841-1990. If you haven’t purchased a vendor lot at the car exhibit, you can secure your space by submitting the Charlotte AutoFair registration form.