Don't suppose anyone in my area can recommend anyone ? No intention of selling so time for some TLC I think !

Hey Nick - let me look at contacts I’ve got and let you know. 

Atom Detailing is Sheffield based. Both approved by International Detailing Association and Professional Valeters and Detailers which are the two industry bodies which means you’re getting quality. They’ve also been around long enough to add a plethora of additional services so should have a menu for pretty much everything you want. 

https://www.atomdetailing.co.uk/

Superb ( haha )  thanks for helping !

On 06/04/2024 at 21:06, Nick_H said:

Superb ( haha )  thanks for helping !

How did you get on? Success?

On 19/05/2024 at 17:28, travs said:

How did you get on? Success?

Sorry for late reply been on jollies ! I went through my mails and I had actually been to see those guys a couple of years ago. Looked very professional but after showing me around they wouldn’t touch the exterior unless I also had the interior done so that was that !

23 hours ago, Nick_H said:

Sorry for late reply been on jollies ! I went through my mails and I had actually been to see those guys a couple of years ago. Looked very professional but after showing me around they wouldn’t touch the exterior unless I also had the interior done so that was that !

Oh - that’s a bit unnecessary to have to do that. Sorry it didn’t work out. 
 

Ok, next one is Detailing Detectives. Serve South Yorks. The MD is on the board of the IDA and PVD assessed as well. They were my first thought but I didn’t think they were in the right area until I actually looked at their website.  Hopefully worth a punt too; I can point in a word for you if you want if you’re not interested in any interior upselling etc.

@Nick_H I used Ashman Detailing for the exterior of a van im selling. Given I don't think it has ever been cleaned properly in 20 years in came out fantasticaly well. Not sure if he is part of the IDA or PVD ( @travs if you're able to send me a message with a bit more info on both and what benefits bring a member has to both customer and detailer I'd be interested to know) but did a very good job. Came to me and spent from 8:30am to 6pm on it! Did I say it had never been cleaned properly?

On 31/05/2024 at 22:55, robt100 said:

@Nick_H I used Ashman Detailing for the exterior of a van im selling. Given I don't think it has ever been cleaned properly in 20 years in came out fantasticaly well. Not sure if he is part of the IDA or PVD ( @travs if you're able to send me a message with a bit more info on both and what benefits bring a member has to both customer and detailer I'd be interested to know) but did a very good job. Came to me and spent from 8:30am to 6pm on it! Did I say it had never been cleaned properly?

Happy to put it here - might as well have it available to all. 
 

IDA is International Detailing Association. It’s US-centric but has national chapters located around the world in many countries. It’s there to standardise the industry, make sure the knowledge is accurate and consistent, create a level of ability and understanding and make sure that qualified members are of a minimum standard to attain certification Members then have to carry out CPD to make sure they stay at the required standard as well as keep their knowledge at the forefront of the industry. To be CD-SV (Certified Detailer - Skills Validated) you need to pass a set of knowledge tests (80% pass mark) and then be observed carrying out the right processes using the right techniques and products.
 

PVD is uk-based and is run by a guy on the IDA UK board, so they aren’t in conflict with each other. Entry level into PVD is a bit more stringent about people who work professionally in the industry. It also has an entry exam but then requires (i) detailing to be your main source of income, and (ii) proof of sufficient insurance policies to cover not only 3rd party and public liability, but also vehicle under charge.

 

Service providers are largely unregulated specifically (I.e. aside from usual business, tax requirements) and people are free to start and carry out business without any real regulatory hoops to jump through. This results in a wide range of abilities, no industry oversight and accountability, and no checks or controls on intention or quality of work. Whilst there is no authority charged with creating a minimum quality-standard, the next best thing is to create those minimum standards proactively and try to ensure the market is aware. As such, both the IDA and PVD are synonymous with members who have had to learn, understand and prove correct implementation of knowledge-backed, processes to ensure the high-quality services. 

In other words, while detailers/valeters who aren’t certified might not be cowboys, those that are will have jumped through a number of hoops to make sure they aren’t, and there is customer-recourse if anything does go wrong.

 

 

 

Right, hopefully that didn’t sound too wordy…

Thanks @travs makes perfect sense. Its a shame it isn't more widely publicised so people know there is a standard (though hopefullymembership etc isn't prohibitively expensive for anyone starting out of course, as this could damage the industry more than anything). Working as a window cleaner myself, I can see what zero regulation can do, especially when someone does a bad job and people assume EVERYONE using the same equipment will be just as bad. Get some funny looks when you explain some skill is involved!

Its a fair point - and its a bit of a niche market in many ways; both from product and service provider aspect. Product range has increased massively over the last decade or so, and with it comes a range of quality. There are a few social media and YT channels which are great at getting the word out there but any reviews are always to be taken with a pinch of salt on the basis of not proven to be entirely independent. There's also a few YT detailing 'specialists' who don't actually detail for a living but that's not necessary obvious.

 

From the membership point of view, the joining and membership fees aren't an issue really and anyone who is serious about creating a business should see it as a valid business expense.

 

Do you use Spotless Water or some sort of De-ionised setup? I love how that dries and leaves nothing behind - a definite game-changer.

I've got my own production setup at home for the De-ionised water. Which comes in handy for rinsing the car down after a wash And yeah, makes a massive difference to window cleaning, no chemicals, longer shine, and faster too (usually), just costs a packet compared to a ladder, bucket and some washing up liquid!

Reading the thread title literally, I wondered how you’d go about it…🤔

Given the state of some of the streets, a VERY heavy cut pad

17 hours ago, Baxlin said:

Reading the thread title literally, I wondered how you’d go about it…🤔

 

On 12/06/2024 at 00:00, robt100 said:

I've got my own production setup at home for the De-ionised water. Which comes in handy for rinsing the car down after a wash And yeah, makes a massive difference to window cleaning, no chemicals, longer shine, and faster too (usually), just costs a packet compared to a ladder, bucket and some washing up liquid!

Jealous. Would love that at home - but we are on mains pressure rather than a cold water tank and I think the flow-rates are too low (he says having done very little research on it mind you).

Mains pressure should be ok. about 50psi needed. If you have a trigger nozzle on your hosepipe, strick it to the power jet setting, if you can fire it vertically about 20ft in the air you should be good