Car Show coming up, can't make up my mind as to which products to use

JasonD

JasonD

New member
I just found out today that my Expedition is going to be in a local car show which is held in the New Orleans Superdome. The show is somewhere around the first or second week of January and I'm trying to decide as to what products to use on the detail. The reason I'm not just doing my usual is because of the lighting. I'd like to get input from anyone that is familiar with indoor stadium type lighting and what would look best on my black Expedition in there. Obviously, durability has no bearing on this decision, just what will look good for the weekend. Here's the products I have, you tell me what would look best in there:



Vanilla Moose

Moose Wax

Carnauba Moose Wax

Klasse AIO

Klasse SG

Pinnacle Souveran Paste

Pinnacle Souveran Liquid

P21S Paste

Einszett Glanz Wax

Poorboy's EX

Poorboy's EX-P

Wolfgang
 
Of course, prep is #1 but I know what I'm doing about that. This is just a LSP choice I'm trying to make.



I usually do VM, EX, Souveran. That's what I have on there now but that seemed a bit glossy for the stadium lighting, so I was thinking I needed something a little more shiny instead but maybe not.



This is going to be a full, *wheel's off* detail so I want to make sure it comes out perfect. I plan on spending one whole day on just the engine, visible undercarriage, wheelwells, and wheels.
 
Under harsh lighting you will probably want a very liquid look so the lights don't wash out the color. Maybe just prep with #80 and go with Souveran x 2.
 
I'm not going to need to much prep since I just did a full detail not that long ago. Since I don't have #80 like you suggested, I am kind of leaning toward 1Z MP, VM, EX x 2, Souveran. I was thinking AIO under EX but VM should make it look more liquid like you're saying I need.



To be honest, I was thinking you might say to use Wolfgang. I was under the impression that WG was a highly reflective, wet looking sealant.
 
You might now want it to be super reflective under artificial lighting, it may make it look washed out to some extent. WG is actually pretty soft looking for a sealant.



You might not need a glaze, just maybe WG, EX or CMW and top with Souveran.
 
AIO/EX/Souveran





Jeez, I'm doubting these judges are gonna be like, "Well its too glossy, not enough depth"...but I hear ya...I'd do the same :)
 
Maybe not even AIO unless you need to clean the paint up a little. Actually, Meguiars #81 might be best but you didn't list it.



This is #80, NXT, Wolfgang x 2 and Souveran x 2 on my car:



my_626_side_souveranx2.jpg




That probably is the look you are after since under artificial lighting it will still look deep and liquid.
 
GSRstilez said:
AIO/EX/Souveran





Jeez, I'm doubting these judges are gonna be like, "Well its too glossy, not enough depth"...but I hear ya...I'd do the same :)
Click to expand...



True, but the problem is that artificial lighting can make super shiny paint look flat.
 
GSRstilez said:
AIO/EX/Souveran





Jeez, I'm doubting these judges are gonna be like, "Well its too glossy, not enough depth"...but I hear ya...I'd do the same :)
Click to expand...



Oh, I'm almost positive they aren't going to be like that but I'm too anal to not think they are. :o
 
Yes, I think that's the look that should work in the lighting I will be in, but I'd rather not have to buy even more stuff.



On the mild polish level I have:



1Z MP

Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

AIO



Will any of these fit the bill?



I basically just need something for prep before WG and Souveran
 
Okay, I think I am going to do that and I may still go buy some Meg's just to have on hand. I think the only products I don't have yet are PB's SSR's and Meg's, so it's getting to be about that time. I'd like to get #80, #81, and #83 to play with and if I do, I will go with your #80 suggestion. Thanks for the input Scott, you were very helpful.
 
Jason-you're welcome. The thing you will notice about #80 is that it finishes very wet, which is noticably different from the crisper reflections and gloss of #82 or #9.
 
Good deal. #80, what do you think, green Sonus pad and do the usual *til it dusts* routine? Any special way to use it for a better finish?
 
I would only use a wax-x2 for a show, unless of course the surface needs any preping. If the surface is good and doesn't need claying I would put S100 or Souvern and nothing else. AIO if you need it, but definitly no sealants. My personal theory is that no sealants will cover any imperfection as well as a good carnuba. In a show, under the lights, you don't want to find a rogue spider web or swirl that has a sealant under a carnuba.



I've done a couple of cars for shows and only used s100 or something else I forgot, it was nearly 20 years ago for the first ones I've done. Once I needed to clean it so I went s100 cleanser then s1oo wax, fairly recently. I will say that these cars where garage queens. I was hooked up with an old style gas station owner whos hobby was old classics like 57's and many others. He got my service and I got to advertise at his shop, it was good PR for me and a lot of fun. He broke my heart when he sold his station last year to a chain. The new owners treat customers like they are doing them a favor by selling them gas. I went back once!



I have an Expedition too and I'm wondering how the heck you got that in a show? Where you on pimp-my-ride and I missed it? lol. Have fun with it.
 
Jason-just FYI, you don't work #80 until it dusts, just until it begins to look clear. Usually two moderate speed (PC movement, not actual machine speed) passes and one real slow pass are enough. You will see it begin to clear at that point.
 
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