Detailing is relatively new to the UK, and encompasses professional car cleaning, as well as machine correction. It's presence being made known more so as a result of press attention to Paul Dalton (www.miracledetail.co.uk) amongst others.
This page answers a few of Wonder Detail's more commonly asked questions. You can contact Paul for further advice, or to arrange a free vehicle inspection and quote by calling 07590 507 692. Paul can offer Vehicle Detailing Services in the North of England, or travel further if required.
Valeting is generally accepted as being the process of washing a car, drying it, and perhaps applying a budget wax. Valet's can be as little as £5. Paul's typical full detail will take more than 14 hours, sometimes up to 4 days! A 'full detail' involves a 18 stage wash process including door shuts, engine bay, and wheel arches followed by a full paint correction process. The interior is not only cleaned, but any leather is conditioned ensuring it stays in top condition. Nothing is missed, and the results speak for themselves.
Paul uses a range of professional equipment ranging from a rotary polisher, to a high quality paint depth guage, to a set of specialist (and very expensive) wheel brushes. His equipment alone cost in excess of £5,000. Paul also uses only the finest waxes offering the ultimate look and protection for your vehicle. Paul's top package incorporates a high Carnauba content wax. Carnauba has an affinity to water, meaning water simply beads on top of the wax, rather than dwelling on your paintwork. It also has excellent gloss properties making it an ideal choice for detailing. A list of Paul's suppliers is available on request.
Put simply, only wash systems using water can guarantee a scratch free finish to paintwork. Water free systems use harsh chemicals and the application requires dirt, grit, and road film to be dragged over the paintwork in order to clean it. Paul does not, and never will, offer waterless wash systems.
Paul has over 10 years experience in machine polishing, and has detailed hundreds of cars ranging from Mini's to Aston Martin's. He is not an amateur with an orbital polisher and a willingness to work for a small amount of money at weekends, he is an experienced professional, with the correct equipment required to carry out a thorough and complete job. His charges reflect this. Paul's hourly rate is around 50% of a main dealer labour charge; not bad considering Paul's detail charges also include products.
In addition to this, whilst the initial outlay may be expensive, once the paintwork correction has been carried out, so long as the advice Paul gives on a correct wash routine is followed, swirls will never re-appear. Some budget products can last as little as two weeks, merely covering swirl marks and damage with a 'filler' product. Your car is probably the second biggest investment you'll make, and like any good investment, it's worth protecting.
Yes. Paul has full motor traders insurance with added accidental damage and public liability insurance up to £4m. Paul's motor traders insurance enables him to drive your car, fully insured, as a method of pick up and collection.