detailing

Wikipedia describes Auto detailing as:
the performance of an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for car shows that feature the appearance of cars. Besides improving the appearance of cars, detailing helps to preserve the car, and thus, increases resale value.

Our training courses

As well as detailing cars for customers The Polishing Company also offers bespoke traing on vehicle detailing. Whether you are just wanting to fine tune your polishing skills or are looking to enter the world of detailing or valeting as a professional, our courses can benefit everyone. Held at our Cramlington studio courses can be a short as half a day or as long as 3 days or more depending on how much you want to learn and your budget.

Training courses are tailored to suit you. You tell us what you want to learn and we will endeavour to show you to the best of our ability. Mike will try his best to guide you through the Detail "System" and cut through the "brown stuff" and dispel the myths which only seek to confuse.

Experience has proved that it takes at least 3 days to cover the whole "detailing system" with a small group, and still give ample time to both the theory and the practice. But don't be put off, we are happy to stagger training courses so you can do them in bit sized pieces. If you do wish to do a full 3 day course then there is excellent local accommodation and experiences and explanations can be exchanged over a nice pub meal and a pint in the evenings.

Basic training costs from just £75* per person on a day course (*min 5 persons) Full courses cost £300 per day for up to 3 people and are tailored to suit the individual needs of the group or individual. ( sorry prices exclude vat)

If you belong to a car club then you might be interested in organising a club "detailing day" We can host these by prior arrangement and are happy to show you the basic techniques and some of the products we use. You can see the products in use on your own car and, while we can't promise to detail a whole car, we can offer preferential rates on services booked at these open days and special discounts on products purchased on the day

Since the course content can vary it is impossible to be specific but here are some of the skills covered in a typical one to two day training course.

First the basics..... washing cleaning and paint decontamination
We will cover the power wash, wheel cleaning, snow foaming and finally the shampooing and drying. The "two bucket system" and why you should not use a cellulose sponge!

Then it's on to paint decontamination and the mystical powers of the clay bars.

For those not interested in machine polishing we will show you how to get the best results using hand applied paint cleansers and waxes and for those who want to go into more "detail" we will go into depth on machine polishing and paint defect removal using a variety of polishers and compounds

Most "professional" detailing will include paint correction or defect removal to achiev the best finish. This process uses dual action or rotary polishers and at an extreme level even wet and dry cutting dics for wet or colour sanding. We will look at safe methods of paint correction that can achieve quality results with minimum riskto paint and personnel.

Finally its time to wax and here we will look at the different options available and how they work and are maintained.
Whether it is easy care or concours shine you are after we can saisfy your requirements. We will cover the "wax cycle" and look at maintenance and aftercare of the finished surface.

Depending on the course length and trainee requirements we will cover various aspects of detailing interiors and engine bays, wheels and exterior trim. This will include fabric and vinyl tops, aluminium and stainles steel etc. and will be focussed on the products we use to clean and renovate leather and uphostery.

The overall aim of these courses is to give trainees an enjoyable, interactive and yet thorough grounding in the detailing techniques. Don't expect to go away a fully qualified detailer and attack your best friend's Ferrari.While you will now have the skills and the techniques you will need to learn how to adapt these to each particular job and vehicle and we recommend some practice on some old panels or an old car to perfect your technique. Perfecting your technique will take some time and you need to be patient. If you need our help later on then we are just a mail message or phone call away.

If you want advice on equipment or products we will be happy to recommend som, but we do not insist that you use the same products as we do. You may well have your own brand favourites and simply need to know how to get the best from them. If this is the case we invite you to bring them along and we can incorporate these into the training. You may even be able to show us something new that is better and if we think your products are rubbish then we will try and tell you so gently! Generally there are few "bad" products about but some are better than others and some are simply more appropriate for the amateur or semi-pro user rather than the professional.

The important thing is to develop a detaling system that you can follow and refine to achieve your required standards.

In addition to basic technical training we will be happy to discuss trade terms with anyone wishing to resell the products we either supply or distribute.

Be aware that full TPCL Approved Detailer status is not awarded after a simple training course. It's not quite that easy! In order to gain full TPCL approval trainees would need to return later and complete a full detail under supervision.

Even if all you want to do is be involved with the preparation of your own car we can still accommodate you. Mike will be more than happy to help you detail your own car, handling the difficult bits and letting you apply the finishing touches.

For further information or to book some training contact Mike by phone or email at mike@thepolishingcompany.com

Happy Detailing!