The Tulip Rally is not just a classic car event, it is an icon in the European rally world. Since 1949, this historic ride has brought together classic car enthusiasts for a unique journey full of sporting challenges, special routes and mechanical craftsmanship. The participating vehicles are not only rolling heritage, but often also valuable collector's items with a rich history.
Before the rally, the participating classic cars are prepared with the utmost care for the intensive rides. An important part of this preparation is treating the exterior with Car Polish & Coat, an innovative paint care specially developed for classic vehicles that have to deliver top performances under tough conditions.
Purpose of the treatment
The main purpose of the Car Polish & Coat treatment was to protect and beautify the cars, with a view to:
- Long-lasting paint protection against dirt, moisture, insects, mud and UV radiation
- Preserving the classic look with a deep, authentic shine
- Faster and safer cleaning after each stage
- Prevention of paint damage and micro-scratches caused by sand, stones or intensive cleaning
- Extending the lifespan and value of the vehicle through paint preservation
With classic cars, it is important not to unnecessarily strain original paintwork or historical restorations. The right care contributes to the value retention of the vehicle and limits wear in places where the risk is greatest: wheel arches, flanks, bonnets and bumpers.
How Car Polish & Coat Works
The treatment consists of two components that together ensure cleaning, gloss restoration and sustainable protection:
1. Polish
- Removes micro-pollution, dull deposits and light scratches
- Restores the depth of the colour without affecting the paint
- Prepares the surface for the protective layer
2. Coat
- Forms a thin, transparent protective film
- Is hydrophobic: water, mud and dirt roll off
- Protects against UV, bird droppings, insects, dust, brine and air pollution
- Does not affect the original gloss or structure of the paint
This combination is safe for classic paints and ensures a visible and tangible difference.
Benefits during the rally
During the Tulip Rallye, the vintage cars drive through various landscapes: paved roads, mountain passes, wooded areas and villages with cobblestones or gravel. Under these conditions, maintaining a clean, shiny and well-protected car is a challenge.
Car Polish & Coat offers:
- Less dirt adhesion in hard-to-reach places
- Faster cleaning after each stage, important for service teams
- Reducing damage from stone chips or mud
- A professional presentation of the vehicle, also for the media and the public
- Less cleaning effort on arrival and award ceremony
Post-race maintenance: Conditioner as the perfect follow-up
After the rally, the cars are often immediately cleaned, checked and re-prepared. Thanks to the use of Conditioner, a special product that is compatible with the coating, this can be done safely and efficiently:
- Removes dirt and deposits without damaging the coating
- Reactivates the water and dirt-repellent effect
- Maintains the shine without polishing
- Makes post-rally maintenance easy – also for home use
Importance for collection management and restoration value
For many owners of classic cars, whether private collectors, museums or specialist restorers, maintaining authenticity plays a key role. Car Polish & Coat helps to preserve the paint layers without interfering with the material itself:
- No overpainting or paint correction required
- No damage to original paint or patina
- Reversible and easy to maintain
- Ideal for vehicles with limited access to modern spray booths
The treatment therefore forms a bridge between classic craftsmanship and modern technology.
Result and experience during the Tulip Rally
The participating cars looked neat, shiny and well-maintained at the start and at the finish. Not only the participants were positive: spectators, photographers and media also praised the appearance of the vehicles. During the race, drivers also noticed that their cars suffered much less from dirt accumulation, which made daily maintenance easier and faster.
For the technical teams, it meant less cleaning time between stages, less risk of paint damage, and ultimately a higher quality overall picture.
