BXC Stand - NEC 15-18 Nov 2013 - Exhibitors announced!

[Kitch]

I seem to remember from the blurb we got sent that there's a ban on kids during set up day - I'm sure Sandre will be able to clarify this.

The other thing that occurred to me - driving back from Mark's in the pouring rain - is that no matter how clean your car is when you set off, it will be filthy when you get there (assuming inclement weather). Might we have to find a garage with a jet wash?

Waterless car cleaning kits

[Tim Leech]

Chill out, well sort it.

[Caffiend]

I seem to remember from the blurb we got sent that there's a ban on kids during set up day - I'm sure Sandre will be able to clarify this.

No under 16s on setup day or after hours (take down time) on Sunday - usual story: allow some, you got to allow them all and you just *know* that someone else's ankle biters would cause havoc and possibly get run over Kitch, if you're happy to leave keys with one of us during set up and if later on family will wait for you for a little while outside while you pop back in to admire the final result before the punters get in on Friday then that might be the best bet?

For people arriving on the day who have let us know already, we'll meet you in the main concours outside the halls to hand over passes. The phone signal is a bit crap in the halls from memory (hopefully a bit better in 8 than 7), if you can let us have an estimate time you'll be there and a number, then we can nip out and find you near the Hall 8 entrance or call you to see how far away you are. My mobile number is zero seven nine 39 seven two 52 five eight, or PM Tim for his number - one of us at least should hopefully get a signal, most likely Tim based on last year (yes, I know the format of those is bloody awkward, formatted against bot pickup).

Meal Sat night: we will need to book: hands up (actually, probably best to post here or I won't see you) with how many seats you want if you/you + others want to come along. I think it highly unlikely that we'll find anything within reasonable shouting distance of the NEC for under about £20/head (food + drinks) - any preferences on cuisine? There's a bunch here. I should have thought about this sooner, 60+ hour weeks (incl commutes) plus trying to sell and buy a house all at the same time are not conducive to being well organised in other arenas

Finally, car washes: take your pick. There's a rather elderly recommendation on Pistonheads here if someone wants to take the risk. Again, we will not have a water supply so will only be able to clean off minimal surface film/road spray: please make sure cars are clean and polished (and hoovered etc inside) so it's easy to do a quick tart up on the Thursday. If you have camping water containers/similar and can bring some water with you in the boot so much the better - thanks.

[Kitch]

I just spent £50 on cleaning gear.

I can't figure out how rubbing clay all over it is going to make it better!

[Paul296]

Mark told me you can get this powder that makes water by adding . . . er . . . water. He may have been lying about that though. Infact he was.

[Dollywobbler]

Set up can take a long time... AND take down.

I wondered about the 'get out' timings? Show closes at 1730, but I imagine absolutely everyone with a car in the NEC will want to start moving out at 1731, so what is the anticipated lead time? To lift the carpet means the cars have to move, so there's an issue already. What was the deal last year?

IIRC, cars are not allowed to start up until the doors open, which is often well after doors close. You can push cars around - ie off carpet so you can pull it up. Space will be tight though, as you can imagine.

[Kitch]

Set up can take a long time... AND take down.

I wondered about the 'get out' timings? Show closes at 1730, but I imagine absolutely everyone with a car in the NEC will want to start moving out at 1731, so what is the anticipated lead time? To lift the carpet means the cars have to move, so there's an issue already. What was the deal last year?

IIRC, cars are not allowed to start up until the doors open, which is often well after doors close. You can push cars around - ie off carpet so you can pull it up. Space will be tight though, as you can imagine.

That'll be fun for those cars that are chocked with wood and need to fire up to lift themselves off again!

[mat_fenwick]

Probably could jack them up to remove the wood, assuming you have a trolley jack low enough (I don't) to remove it with the car on low.

Meal Sat night: - any preferences on cuisine?

My preference would be pizza, but happy to go along with the majority.

I can't figure out how rubbing clay all over it is going to make it better!

You'd be surprised at the amount of crap a clay bar can pull from the surface. This was just from one of the sections between the roof rubbers.

[Gary]

3 days to go and the paint on my roof is in poor shape, it appears to have some sort of contamination that has left white marks in the paint.
Took it to a body shop they tried to wet sand and polish it but it is still visible and i have been told it will need to be resprayed to get rid of it, so it will have to go to the NEC as it is, hopefully it won't look to bad under the lights there (fingers crossed).
Still i am looking forward to the show and plan to have a good time.

[Tim Leech]

It's probably the lacquer starting to let go Gary, not uncommon sadly. Only way too cure it is a repaint.

[MULLEY]

What about using that modern plastic coloured stuff that seems to be a damn site cheaper than a re-spray? I've seen on the web, whole cars having their colour changed & the beauty of this stuff is that it can be peeled off if you decide the sell the car. So say you want a pink car, you can have your car done in this colour & then return it to its natural colour when you want to sell it.

[Kitch]

Kitch, if you're happy to leave keys with one of us during set up and if later on family will wait for you for a little while outside while you pop back in to admire the final result before the punters get in on Friday then that might be the best bet?

Cheers Sandre. The main issue is where to send the kids with the wife in Birmingham on a Thursday afternoon. And that's not coupled to the fact the clutch on the Picasso is hanging, so taking it there is a bit of a risk anyway.

It's turning out to be a real headache.....my planned transport back up Friday and for Saturday has started playing silly buggers (bloody Land Rover shite!) so I've retaxed the estate. Shame I can't bring it in with me

I'm sure I'll sort something out. One thing's for sure though.....I know I'll be remembering all these people who "can't" help me next time they need something, but that's not forum-related!

[Mickey taker]

What about using that modern plastic coloured stuff that seems to be a damn site cheaper than a re-spray? I've seen on the web, whole cars having their colour changed & the beauty of this stuff is that it can be peeled off if you decide the sell the car. So say you want a pink car, you can have your car done in this colour & then return it to its natural colour when you want to sell it.

that would be vinyl wrap Mulley

[Kitch]

What about using that modern plastic coloured stuff that seems to be a damn site cheaper than a re-spray? I've seen on the web, whole cars having their colour changed & the beauty of this stuff is that it can be peeled off if you decide the sell the car. So say you want a pink car, you can have your car done in this colour & then return it to its natural colour when you want to sell it.

that would be vinyl wrap Mulley

Or plasti-dip.

[MULLEY]

Yes & Yes Couldn't remember what it was called. I've done a bit of research & it would appear that they only last 3-5years, so seems a bit crap afterall??