What is Car Detailing?

The term "car detailing" has been widely used in America for some time but it is still not often understood in the UK. To confuse matters, an ever increasing number of companies are using the term simply because they sometimes polish (mop) a car or offer valeting

Car detailing really isn't defined by one single process but is instead a term that covers a wide variety of techniques and products which, to get the best results, require considerable skill to apply.

A valeter may get your car clean by typically spending an hour or less on it and a bodyshop may quickly run a polisher over your car to remove a few marks, but neither can be classified as detailing.

A few of the differences a professional detailer brings to improving your car include:

Knowledge - a technical understanding of every aspect of a car's finish
Equipment - state of the art products combined with many £ 1000's worth of equipment
Time - a typical detail can take anywhere from 10 to 30 or more hours of labour to complete
Aftercare - being willing and able to provide extensive after service support
Paint protection - not only knowing how to improve the look but also ensuring that it stays that way
Results driven - we produce guaranteed high quality results for a fixed price and are not time limited

There isn't really one globally adopted definition for what detailers do, but the one we think comes the closest is:

"The systematic rejuvenation and protection of the various surfaces of a vehicle."

Breaking this definition down:

Systematic - we use a series of well ordered procedures to achieve the most effective and efficient results
Rejuvenation - what we do is aimed at (within limits) getting your car to beyond showroom condition. What is involved in doing this varies from car to car but can include processes such as machine polishing, paintwork cleansing, claying, leather conditioning, engine bay re-conditioning, glass polishing, etc. None of these in itself define "detailing" but are simply among the tools available to a professional detailer
Protection - once the vehicle has been "rejuvenated" we will apply products to help keep it in top condition. These range from waxes/sealants to leather conditioners, UV vinyl protection and upholstery dirt repellents
Various surfaces - cars are quite naturally made from many different materials and they all require their own specific type of treatment and understanding

By combining our extensive experience with a well ordered and practiced approach to car detailing and ensuring that we have researched and tested every product, we are able to guarantee the highest quality results.

The Benefits of Detailing Your Car

Every car is different, but in general, a thorough detail will leave just about every surface of the vehicle improved; from beautifully glossy and slick feeling paint to UV protected, low sheen rubber and vinyl, cleaned and conditioned leather and sparkling chrome. The difference is dramatic and not one that can be achieved by valeting.

Removing marks and reducing fading in paint - rejuvenating paint by removing/reducing existing fading, swirls, scratches, etching, etc. and at the same time ensuring it stays in better condition for longer
A stunning looking finish - Detailed cars really do stand out. From Fiestas to Ferraris, our customers are often surprised at how much better their car looks even if they have been regularly looking after it themselves
A car which is easier to clean and tends to stay cleaner, longer - the slickness brought about by extensive decontamination and protective treatments keeps the dirt from sticking quite so easily
Providing long term protection - By removing contaminants which can eat into the finish (leather, chrome, vinyl, paint, etc.) and then where appropriate, sealing it, your car will stay in top condition for longer
Helping to retain the value of your car - a well presented car will always sell better and a detail takes things to the next level with cars often looking better than new and standing out from the rest
An extensive paint inspection - Our substantial knowledge of paintwork combined with high tech gauges and inspection lamps allows us to spot most existing or possible future issues and provide free advice