You’ve spent hours (or let’s be real…days!) getting your pride and joy just right. The fitment is dialled, the stance is sharp, and now it’s showtime. But, before you roll into that show and steal the spotlight, it’s time to get serious about paintwork, wheels, and final gloss over.
Whether you’re going full concours or just showing off your Sunday best, Chemical Guys and Halfords have your back.
Here’s how to prep like a pro for a car show using only Chemical Guys gear available at Halfords!
1. Strip the Grime: Citrus Wash & Gloss
Forget your washing up liquid – this is the real deal. Start with a proper cleanse using Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss. It cuts through grime, road film, and grease without causing damage to your paint. This is your reset button.
Top tip: Use the Chemical Guys Chenille Microfibre Wash Mitt to avoid introducing swirl marks.
Bonus tip: Always wash in straight lines. Clean your car from top to bottom and panel by panel ensuring to use 2 buckets as well as 2 dirt traps.
2. Wheel Game Strong: Diablo vs Two Face
Show wheels can make or break your setup. If you’ve got polished, bare metal, or delicate finishes, reach for Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Cleaner. It’s pH-balanced, gentle, and safe for sensitive surfaces. Just dilute, spray on, agitate with a soft brush, and rinse.
Got painted, powder-coated, or tougher wheel types? Then you’re good to go with something stronger like Chemical Guys Two Face Wheel Cleaner (aka “Two Face”). It clings to vertical surfaces and tears through brake dust and grime.
Pro tip: Use a separate bucket, mitt, and brushes for wheels. You don’t want that brake dust touching your paintwork.
3. Decon Duty: Clay Bar Kit & Metal Polish
If your paint feels rough to the touch after washing, grab the Chemical Guys Clay Bar & Luber Kit. It pulls out embedded contaminants like tar, overspray, and fallout, leaving the surface silky smooth and ready for polish.
For chrome or metal trim, Chemical Guys Heavy Metal Polish brings back the shine and removes oxidation with minimal effort. It’s also a top choice for polished wheels – just make sure there’s no clear coat, and buff to a mirror finish. You’ll be seeing your reflection in no time.
4. Rinse & Dry: HydroSpeed + Megladon Towel
Before you move on to wheels or paintwork correction, lock in some instant protection with Chemical Guys HydroSpeed Ceramic Quick Detailer used as a rinse aid. After washing, simply spray HydroSpeed onto the wet panels, leave to do its magic for 15 – 30 seconds then rinse off. It helps water bead off the surface and adds a boost of slickness and shine.
Then grab the Chemical Guys Megladon Drying Towel – a beast of a towel with strong absorbency. One towel will dry most cars without streaks or water spots. Gently drag or pat dry across panels without rubbing and you’re good to go.
Pro tip: Always dry from the top down, and blot sensitive areas like trims and emblems to avoid snagging.
5. Polish Like a Pro: C4 & P4 Combo
Time to level up. If your paint’s covered in swirls, hazing, or light scratches, you need the tag team of Chemical Guys C4 and P4.
Start with C4 Clear Cut Correction Compound – this stuff cuts fast, flattens imperfections, and preps the surface like a pro. No dust, no fuss, and it wipes off clean.
Then follow up with P4 Precision Polish to refine the finish and boost gloss. Think of it as the icing on your very shiny cake.
Machine Polishing Tips:
Always do a test spot first. Try a small area with C4 and your chosen pad to see how the paint reacts. Various paints may behave differently.
Let the machine do the work. Use light pressure and slow, overlapping passes. Speed won’t fix paint, technique will.
Pro tip: Use Hex-Logic pads with a dual-action polisher for best results. If you’re working by hand, expect to burn a few extra calories but the results are still worth it.
6. Seal the Deal: Butter Wet Wax
Once the paint’s looking sweet, lock it in with Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax. It delivers a deep, glossy finish with serious beading action and an unreal banana scent.
Quick to apply, easy to buff off, and safe for all colours. Perfect for that warm, wet-look shine under show lights or direct sun.
7. Tyres & Trim: Shine Logic
Dry-looking tyres or faded trim? Not today. Chemical Guys Shine Logic restores a rich, satin black finish to rubber, plastic, and vinyl, without being greasy or attracting dust.
Pro tip: Use a Tyre Shine Applicator for an even coat and zero mess. Your tyres will thank you.
8. Glass Game Strong: Streak-Free Glass Cleaner
Smears and fingerprints can ruin the vibe – especially under harsh lighting or camera flashes. Use Chemical Guys Streak-Free Glass Cleaner on all glass inside and out for a crystal-clear view.
Pair it with a clean microfibre towel and don’t forget to hit the inside of the windscreen. Yes, that smudge will show up in photos.
Pro tip: Less is more…Make sure not to overapply glass cleaner, a light mist onto your microfibre towel is more than enough.
9. Interior Touch-Up: Total Interior Cleaner
Even if the doors stay closed, someone’s going to peek inside. Keep it clean with Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner – safe for plastics, screens, leather, cloth, and trim.
One product. No streaks. No shine. Just a clean, OEM-style finish that smells fresh without being overpowering.
10. Final Touch: Speed Wipe Quick Detailer
Right before the gates open, hit the car with Chemical Guys Speed Wipe. It lifts light dust, fingerprints, and adds a slick layer of gloss.
Perfect for last-minute wipe-downs, fly splats, or when someone touches your bonnet even though there’s a “Please Don’t Touch” sign.
11. Smell Show-Ready: Air Fresheners
You’ve nailed the look, now nail the vibe. Finish off with a spritz of Chemical Guys Air Freshener & Odour Eliminators. Whether you go with classic Signature Scent, Black Frost, or Fresh Cherry , these aren’t just cover-ups, they actually kill odours.
Choose and smell your favourite in-store at Halfords before you buy! We have 8 amazing scents to choose from.
It’s the final step to creating a lasting impression!
That’s a Wrap
There’s clean and then there’s show car clean. With a little prep and the right Chemical Guys gear (available at Halfords), your car will turn heads, drop jaws, and maybe even take home some silverware.
Now get out there, shine hard, and represent. We’ll see you there…
