The bright lights, and the multi million dollar displays, set the stage for another great LA Auto Show. The show was packed with debuts of production cars and concepts alike, including more than a few surprises. The biggest, though? Jeep’s new Gladiator pickup truck.
As you stroll through the auto show have you noticed how brilliant the vehicles look? Let me tell you they do not arrive on the show floor that way. It’s a massive undertaking to get them to that premier show level. These vehicles are going to be in every major automotive publication outlet out there, and could possibly be seen by millions of enthusiasts. Auto makers go to extreme lengths to stand out amongst their competition. Which is why they demand nothing but the best of the best when it comes to the detailing of their International Auto Show vehicles.
It all starts 2-3 days prior to the opening of the first press day, in a dimly lit, dusty, and stuffy parking garage. The vehicles are delivered on carriers. Some are coming from local dealers, some from other shows, some are picked up from the port where they were delivered straight from the factory, and some even come in their own air freight container.
This is the time we will knock out all of the dirty work. Cleaning wheels inside and out, degreasing engine bays, cleaning door jambs, and washing, and removing any contaminants from the vehicles surface. Making sure the vehicles are somewhat prepped before they roll onto the show floor where the fine tuning begins.
Now that the vehicles have arrived on the show floor the real detailing begins. Although, we still have many challenges to overcome; super tight deadlines, carpenters still sawing display pieces next to your cars, scissor lifts driving by hanging lighting-spotting 4-5 LED lights per car, or having no lighting at all and detailing in complete darkness, production rehearsals every other hour, top secret cars with 24 hour security that you only have 20 minutes to clean under a black silk cover after turning in your cell phone so you will not leak any pictures, and last but not least the dreaded client walk throughs. Your work is under a giant microscope. You absolutely have to be on top of your detailing game and you have to be crazy meticulous or you will be picked apart. There are people in this industry who are actually paid to make sure your detailing is absolutely, positively, 200%, without a doubt perfection. Not one spec of dust on the wiper. Not one piece of fuzz on the floor mat under the brake pedal. Not one smudge on the glass in the bottom corner of the windshield. Not one water spot on the lower chrome trim piece. Not one paint swirl. No lint on the convertible tops. The tires have to be shined (not the face THE WHOLE TIRE TREAD AND ALL!!)
Finally it’s press day. It’s about a hour before all the journalists, bloggers, photographers, and The Who’s who of the auto industry come pouring in. Tension is high making sure everything is absolutely perfect. One last look over for all the vehicles. The doors open and they all crowd the display anxiously waiting to be the first to get a shot of the world debut of that vehicle. The lights begin to dim, the music gets louder, a light fog begins to form on the stage. A secret door opens up and out rolls that car, being seen for the very first time by the rest of the world.
Seeing all the flashes and hearing all the oohs and aahs makes it all worth it. Knowing that you were trusted for such a high profile job is a honor and very humbling. It feels amazing and I am very fortunate to be involved in automotive history.
Please enjoy this video we put together showcasing the hottest cars and displays from the 2018 LA International Auto Show
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MAXMOBILEDETAIL/
Or follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maxmobiledetail/