As the spring auto show season arrives, it’s time to get your vehicle ready with some spring cleaning. The Charlotte AutoFair team at the Hornets Nest Region, AACA, bring together the finest collection of antique cars every spring and fall in Charlotte, NC. After you have booked your vendor space, beautify your vehicle with a few simple steps.

3 Tips to Prepare Your Antique Car for the Auto Show

1. Clean the Exterior

Wash the car as you normally would, then wipe it down with a cloth duster. Don’t forget the undercarriage; you can get underneath it yourself if you want to put your car up on blocks, or you can take the car to a wash that offers an undercarriage cleaning. Wipe down all the chrome with a microfiber towel to get it clean and shiny. Take special care on all the little corners in your rims, as they tend to accumulate dirt and grease. If necessary, use a headlight cleaning kit to remove any cloudiness on the glass. Finally, replace the windshield wipers in anticipation of spring storms.

2. Clean the Interior

Thoroughly vacuum the interior and dust all the hard surfaces in the car. Grab a plastic polish at your auto supply store and apply it with a soft cloth to bring out the shine in the plastic. Inspect the rubber around your doors and window seals for signs of damage or cracks. If there is any damage to the seals, replace them before you take the car outside; the spring rains could otherwise leak in and damage your interior. Check that all your lights and signals are working, and replace the bulbs or fuses that need replacing.

3. Apply the Final Show-Ready Touch

For the interior, use a leather conditioner to bring out the color and texture of the upholstery before your show. For the exterior paint, use a clay bar to pick up the dirt that’s left after washing and wiping it down. These bars will pick up the dirt and grease that microfiber cloths can’t. Using a professional waxing brush or an electric buffer, apply wax to bring out the beautiful paint job.

After these steps, you are ready to stand out at the vintage auto show! Call Charlotte AutoFair at (704) 841-1990 to talk with them about booking your place as a vendor at their spring show. If you simply want to attend the car show, tickets are not for sale in advance, but you can learn more about the show online. Either way, you’ll see a great selection of antique cars and will have the opportunity to meet with other enthusiasts.