After my participation in our local PCA concours event last weekend, including judging interiors in the "French Class" (exterior / interior only; no engine, no storage areas), I thought I'd pass along a few notes.

From judging interiors (and I realize that the French class can be more low key than full concours, but....)

Vaccum your interior, vaccum it again, then vaccum it one more time. Get beside your seats next to the door and your console. Make sure you get around your gas pedal, under it, and next to the hump. Vaccum again. Use tape to pick up any stubborn bits of dirt. Vaccum again. There is simply no excuse for dirty carpet on any car entered in any type of show - I was greatly disappointed in how poorly so many people had done this very basic prep.

Sampoo your floor mats (particulary if light colored)

Clean the fuse cover on late model cars

Clean your AC vents thoroughly

Clean your seat rails (my most common deduction of points)

Clean your pedals (second most common deduction), although be careful not to get then greasy with Amoral etc. for your own safety.

Prep your seats with a leather care product, and get the dirt out of the seams, creases.

In particular on the older 911s:
Clean the seat belt clips in the middle
Detail your shifter boot
Clean behind the center console
Clean your seat back hinges

General observations:
Glass was done very well on every car I saw to my surprise
Take the time and pull your wheels to clean them thoroughy
Clean your wheel wells
Don't glop on any shiny sprays on tires or interior; it looks tacky, and collects dirt in the long term. The greasy amorall look is long gone.

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In2Esses

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2006 CaymanS - Black/Black
2003 BMW 325it
2007 BMW 328i coupe

Thanks for the pointers. Seat rails and hinges are two things I always miss.

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Dan

I absolutely love to detail my cars and motorcycles but I would never go through all the hoops that you need to go through for a concours. I have heard stories of people who planned and pre-drove their route to the event so that they could avoid construction sites. That's too much for me.

That said, I do most of what you suggested when I detail my cars.

By the way, I am not at all surprised that you won. Your car is absolutely beautiful! Big thumbs up!!

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Porsche Cayman 2.7
Mercedes E320 Bluetec
Ducati Paul Smart LE
BMW R1200GS

Great suggestions. Must admit I skip the rails. I also like to apply wax to the wheels. Makes them look great and a lot easier to clean off that brake dust.