Car Show Prep:

On this page I am going to describe a few steps for Mustang Car Show Preparation. The one thing that I will stress as most important is, if it is not ‘clean ‘you will loose points in the judging.  Many judges reflect on the care of the car they are looking at.  And a clean Mustang car is king in this category.  

Start from the ground up! 

And I mean that literally. This is the 1st, and the hardest, next to the Mustang engine compartment, part of a Mustang Car to clean. Judges will look under your 1965 Mustang, 67 Mustang, Ford Mustang GT 5.0, or other Mustang Cars undercarriage.  Mustang Convertibles need particular attention to undersides of these cars since the frame work on a convertible is more important to keep in good shape versus a Mustang fastback or Mustang coupe.  If it’s dirty under there, you are going to loose points. Hose down the underside with a strong spray of water.  Use a soft brush and scrub around the perimeter of your Mustang with soapy water to knock off hard debris.  Look for any problem areas. Where needed, use touch up paint or spray paint to improve appearances of surfaces. Pay attention to the wheel wells.  A flat black paint will make them look new.

Engine Compartment:

This is usually the next place I tackle.  In-line 6 motors like in the 1965 Mustang, 1966 Mustang, and other early Mustang Cars are very easy to clean and detail.  Newer Mustang Cars like the 2005 Mustang, Saleen Mustang, SVO Mustang, or Mustang Cobra can have engines cleaned and detailed, but its much more time consuming.  There are many spray-on engine cleaning and detailing products you can use on your Mustang Cars.  Select those that are compatible with your Mustang engine components and engine compartment.  Most cleaning products require a spray hose and some light brushing to remove stubborn debris.  Just like with the undercarriage, look for pealed or missing paint and damaged areas.  Use touch up paint or spray paint to bring engine and engine compartment surfaces back to good appearance and condition. Polish everything you can.  A shiny engine compartment is a wonderful thing !  

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Trunk Compartment:

The third place I work on is the trunk. It’s usually overlooked. Start by removing everything and vacuum it.  Then, stand back from your Mustang car and look at the trunk compartment. What’s the first thing you notice that is troublesome to you?  If it's noticed by you, the judge will probably notice it too. Work on that area first.  Clean, paint, patch, or repair what you see.  Make an improvement.  Then, with products that are designed for cleaning paint, cloth, or plastic, use the appropriate cleaner and detailer on those trunk areas.  When finished, place items in the trunk that you want to display or show.  How do they look ?  Make sure they are cleaned and repaired to look as clean and new as the freshly detailed trunk.  In an older Mustang car, a new trunk mat makes a big appearance difference !  Especially if used with a new spare tire cover.  Trunks look really clean, simple, and detailed.  

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Passenger Compartment:  

After the trunk, I recommend that you work on the interior of the passenger compartment of your Mustang car. There are many automotive cleaners and detailers that can make your Mustang a pleasure to look at and ride in.  Select those that are compatible with the materials in your interior and work on this part of the car next. I always start at the top and work my way down. Leave the vacuuming and carpet shampooing to the end.  

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Wheels and Tires:

Due to the many spray on wheel and rim cleaning and detaining products, I tackle this part next.  Some of these products can have over spray and get on the cars paint and finish.   This is why the cleaning, waxing, and detailing of the cars exterior is performed last.  Use tire cleaners and wheel detailers carefully to minimize any over spray getting on the cars exterior finish. Hand detail parts that require special cleaning or attention.

Paint and Finish:

Now we get to the end. This usually the part most enthusiasts are familiar with.  Washing, waxing, and detailing the exterior.  This is the last step in the prep of the car before going to the show.

Detailing Road Kit:

Make sure you pack items to clean up the appearance of the car when you get to the show.  Lots of rags, detailing sprays, and mini vacuum, window cleaner, etc…