FAQs of detailing
What is detailing and is it any different to valeting?From what age and condition will a vehicle benefit from a detailing treatment?
What parts of the country does the Ecurie Esprit detailing service cover?
Do you offer a collection and delivery service with your detailing service?
I would prefer my vehicle to be detailed on my own premises. Do you offer a detailing service which comes to me?
My car needs more than a detail, can Ecurie Esprit take care of any additional requirements?
What payment methods does Ecurie Esprit accept?
What is detailing and is it any different to valeting?
The practise of automotive detailing involves the interior and exterior cleaning, polishing and waxing of a vehicle in an extremely thorough or ‘detailed’ manner. The process requires far more time and care than valeting, employs superior products, involves the use of specialist tools and equipment and requires the detailer to develop specialised skills and techniques for the protection, enhancement and correction of your vehicle's paintwork and overall appearance.
For these reasons detailing is more costly than valeting, but the results can produce a better than new and concours d’elegance level of quality which is far more likely to protect or increase the value and saleability of your car. Discerning customers can also expect the softer benefits of greater enjoyment, pleasure and pride when choosing to have their car detailed over a quicker lower cost wash and wax valet.
From what age and condition will a vehicle benefit from a detailing treatment?
Even a new vehicle will benefit from a detailing treatment. Many customers choose to commission a brand new vehicle for detailing prior to or immediately following delivery by the supplying dealer. New cars invariably leave the factory with minor paint defects such as fine scratches and polishing holograms and pick up more during the transit process which can include multiple road rail and sea freight movements and holding periods in busy vehicle compounds. They are rarely consigned to the chosen retailer in perfect condition with anything other than major or clearly visible defects often receiving no corrective action before final handover to the customer.
The solution at this point typically involves a basic valet at the dealership with the upsell of a hastily applied protection sealant such as Supaguard or Autoglym Lifeshine. In our opinion, the effectiveness and longevity of this solution is questionable and makes no attempt to correct underlying paint defects before application. Furthermore, there are rarely any photographic records supplied with these treatments, leaving some customers to question whether it has been applied at all.
What parts of the country does the Ecurie Esprit detailing service cover?
Our service covers mainland UK – anywhere in England, Wales or Scotland that doesn’t require a plane or boat to reach. We can collect and return your car anywhere within mainland UK to perform the commission at our Stratford upon Avon (CV37) studio or we can deploy our mobile detailing unit at your premises subject to the presence of suitable working conditions.
Do you offer a collection and delivery service with your detailing service?
Yes. We operate our own fully insured enclosed vehicle transporter and provide a complimentary collection and return service within our standard treatment pricing for customers within a 100 mile radius of our studio in Stratford upon Avon (CV37). Surcharges for collection and return services beyond 100 miles and weight/dimension restrictions apply for covered transport (please enquire). Open trailer and national driven services are also available and our drivers carry motor industry trade plates as a matter of course.
I would prefer my vehicle to be detailed on my own premises. Do you offer a detailing service which comes to me?
Yes. Our fully equipped mobile detailing unit can be deployed anywhere in mainland UK with a daily travelling cost allowance for commissions within 50 miles of Stratford upon Avon (CV37) included within our standard treatment pricing. Please note surcharges apply for commissions requiring daily travel beyond 50 miles.
Before opting for a mobile service over our studio treatment with its collection and return service we recommend thought be given to the following working condition considerations:
- Is there an external water point and equivalent outdoor space of a double garage for the vehicle to be washed down satisfactorily?
- Is there the equivalent dry indoor space of a double garage which Ecurie Esprit can occupy for the detailing commission process?
- Is there room at your premises for our mobile detailing unit to park and manoeuvre adjacent to the space Ecurie Esprit will occupy?
- Is the indoor space well lit, with available 3-pin 13amp power outlets and nearby conveniences?
- Is there unrestricted access to the space Ecurie Esprit will occupy (e.g. out of business hours)?
If the answer to any of the above is no or there is a risk the presence of Ecurie Esprit could disrupt, inconvenience or represent a hazard to the normal operation of the site, we recommend the use of our studio facilities in Stratford upon Avon with our collection and return service. This option enables our detailers to complete their work more efficiently by minimising daily travel and permitting the use of specialist studio equipment such as hydraulic scissor ramps and more powerful hot water pressure washers.
My car needs more than a detail, can Ecurie Esprit take care of any additional requirements?
Yes. With our network of trusted partners we can take care of most things to do with automotive care. In fact we provide a complete professionally managed ownership service for many of our discerning car storage clients. Whether you need an alloy wheel refurbished, a dent removed, windows tinted, leather upholstery repaired and re-coloured or even an MOT performed it will be our pleasure to help you. Please see our car care services page for further details.
What payment methods does Ecurie Esprit accept?
We accept payment by BACS, standing order, direct debit, wire transfer, cash, cheque and debit or credit card. For credit cards and company debit cards a 2.5% surcharge applies.