Its still winter in Cleveland and not yet time to pull your rides out of storage, or start planning the weekend car shows. Keep counting down the day’s as we are getting closer! While this will be a shorter article with not too much going on at the time, we do have the Piston Power Show Coming up March 27-29. This a good chance to get out and stretch your legs and check out some great builds, while staying warm indoors!

Cleveland’s signature automotive event is gearing up for a milestone year as the 60th annual I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama rolls into the I-X Center from March 27–29, 2026.

Long considered a spring tradition for Northeast Ohio car enthusiasts, this year’s show carries added significance—it will serve as the final consumer event ever held at the I-X Center, marking the end of an era for one of the region’s most iconic venues.

Attendees can expect hundreds of vehicles spanning every corner of car culture, from award-winning hot rods and muscle cars to motorcycles, race builds, and custom creations from across the country. Top competitors from the International Show Car Association will battle for the prestigious Auto-Rama Gold Cup, while car clubs, vendors, and swap meet spaces fill the massive show floor.

Beyond the chrome and horsepower, the event continues to highlight community, featuring charity showcases, model car competitions, and special tributes to military members and first responders.

With six decades of history behind it, the 2026 Piston Powered Auto-Rama is more than just a car show—it’s a farewell celebration for a Cleveland tradition that has brought generations of enthusiasts together under one roof.

Spring in Northeast Ohio means one thing for your vehicle: it’s time to undo months of salt, grime, and abuse. A proper detail isn’t just about shine—it’s about protection after a brutal Cleveland winter. I personally love Using purpose-built products from Chemical Guys, there are tons of great detailing suppliers to choose products from. Here’s how to bring your car back to life this season.

Start with a high-quality shampoo that won’t damage your existing protection.

Chemical Guys HydroSuds Ceramic Car Wash Soap · adds SiO2 protection while you wash, boosting gloss and water beading in one step. Another option if you have a pressure washer and foam cannon at your disposal is the Honeydew Snow Foam Auto Wash!

Whatever you choose, a proper wash with a high quality soap removes loose contaminants while preserving wax or coatings. pH-balanced soaps like these are designed to clean without stripping protection or leaving residue.

Your wheels take the worst beating during a Cleveland winter. The salt can do some major damage especially to the chrome and PVD wheels.

Chemical Guys Two Face Color Changing Wheel Cleaner · changes color as it reacts with contamination, making it easy to see it working. These formulas are designed to dissolve embedded metallic particles, brake dust and grime that can cause long-term corrosion if left untreated.

One of the most satisfying detailing projects anyone can do themselves is to use a Clay Bar. Even after washing, your paint still holds embedded contaminants that are very noticeable on white and light colored vehicles. While it may be a bit time consuming, the results speak for themselves, as you can feel the paint smoothness when completed!

If you have never done this before, the process is very easy, and their are tons of you-tube tutorials, and basic instructions on nearly every kit that is available on the market. After washing you work in smaller 2’×2’ area and spray the clay lube over the surface your paint. Using a clean clay bar, gently slide the clay over your panel in a straight line. Be sure to kneed the clay as you are working, and keep the panel lightly moist. You will be able to feel the paint becoming smoother as you work it in.

After decontamination, it’s time to protect your finish. Wax acts as a sacrificial barrier, protecting your clear coat from UV rays, rain, and contaminants while enhancing gloss. While there are varying ways to apply wax, anything from a simple spray for a quick wax, to a liquid or paste that needs to be worked in with a buffer. Depending on your skill levels and tools at your disposal this step helps keeping your ride looking good longer.

Winter leaves behind salt stains, moisture, and debris inside your car. While I prefer a Weathertech or Husky floor liner to keep my carpets clean, these make easy work to pull out and hose down in the spring! Running a shopvac through the rest of the interior, and giving a nice wipe down using a quality interior cleaner, will help keep them trim looking good, and keep you feeling good as your driving around in a car you can proud to show up in. Lets not forget a good leather cleaner and conditioner to keep the seats from cracking and showing their signs of age.

There are tons of local detailers that can work their major on the interior & exterior if you do not have the time or know how. Getting this done annually is well worth the investment!

Even a quick interior refresh dramatically improves the driving experience for those first warm spring days.

Between road salt, freeze-thaw cycles, and constant moisture, Northeast Ohio winters are especially harsh on vehicles. Left untreated, that buildup can lead to corrosion, dull paint, and long-term damage.

A proper spring detail using dedicated products like Chemical Guys doesn’t just restore your car’s appearance—it protects your investment heading into the warmer months.

There’s nothing quite like that first sunny drive down Route 2 in a freshly detailed car—clean wheels, slick paint, and a finish that actually reflects the sky again.

Lets be honest, not much has happened in the last two weeks. We had a short sample of what to look forward to, where you may have pulled the bike out of the garage, or gave your daily driver a good wash, and clean the salt out of the interior, but winter isn’t done just yet!

We want to hear about the local car events you’re hosting or hitting in 2026! Share the details with us, and we’ll spotlight them for our subscribers and the entire Northeast Ohio car community—so your event gets the attention it deserves.

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