OK so right now my wheels are at the powdercoating shop my calipers are at a diff powdercoating shop, my front bumper is on its way to the paint shop to get the LP holes filled and the bumper painted. My CED interior trim is on its way. everything will be done and complete before i leave but heres the thing im pondering.

I am leaving Texas on the 16th to head home (im from chicago) then im going to great america with my family on the 18th but CED meet isnt till the 23rd so im wondering should i get my car detailed BEFORE i leave texas or wait till i get home and get it done.

I know a few detail places around here and i dont have any problems with my car cept for swirls in the hood and a scratch on the d/s door where i flung it open and it hit my bbq grill, hoping some touch up paint and a buffer will fix that.

but what do you guys think should i search for a reputable detail shop at home?

 

i would get everything done before you leave. a nice coat of wax and sealant. then just a quick wash/wax when you get to chicago. thats what i'm doing before i leave miami for the meet

 

pretty much this....or come in a day early and find a detailer here lol.

 

the reason im wondering is after the wax and detail what will the 18hr drive do to it?

 

depends on the weather. lol. your really over looking this. detail itbefore you leave wash it when u get here.

 

hmm ok ok ill get it done before i leave then

 

do it before you leave because you usually only detail a car to an extreme extent twice a year and wash inbetween.

 

Going to all that trouble? 700 mile drive i know what mines going to look like

 

the point is to protect it on the drive out there

 

Detail first then add the painters tape bra...

 

^^^ A buddy of mine did the painters tape bra for a road trip on his GTO... when he went to take it off, the wax AND some of the clearcoat came with it.

Be very careful with the painters tape bra... make sure you wax the hell out of it first.









:EDIT: Woohoo! My 1,000th post!!!

 

I can't see painters tape taking off clearcoat. I did this on a drive from TX to VA over a few day period and it all came off with no issues.

 

i have seen painters tape take off paint down to the metal

 

ive also seen it many times not.. its painters tape, if paint comes off the orginal paint sucked

 

Yup, if your paint is coming off your doing it wrong.

 

I know GTO's (and most GM's for that matter) don't have the best paint, but I **** you not, it took off the clear. I've seen it happen on a couple chevy's too.

I don't know if it was how hard it was pressed on, if it had to do with the amount of wax on the car, if it baked in the hot sun too long or if it was just freak incidents.

 

Use the green automotive tape lol.

 

i taped my car up for last years meet and had no issues what so ever. Tape was on there for like 3 days

 

Blue tape Bra .:Approved:.