What's the difference between car valeting & detailing?

If you want to get your car cleaned these days, there are several options open to you.

Due to the recent increase in popularity in car valeting and car detailing there has been some

confusion about the difference between 'car valeting' and 'car detailing'.

Ultimate Valet Cambridge can help remove some confusion and explain what the differences are from a professional point of view.

So, what's car valeting or ultimate valet services?

Car valeting is the process of cleaning, polishing and sometimes waxing a car to achieve an as-new look and to maintain or even enhance the car's value.

This usually includes cleaning the wheels & shuts, washing, polishing and waxing the bodywork, dressing exterior plastics and tyres, polishing paintwork, and the glass. The cleaning process can also include the use of an Autoglym clay bar(other brands are available) to remove unwanted contaminants from the paint, such as air pollution, tar spots, bird droppings, and tree sap, which all cause the paint to feel rough and dull the appearance of the colour.

The exterior process includes a variety of chemicals, tools, and accessories to reach awkward areas, clean off as much soiling as possible and leave the car looking as near to the condition the day it left the showroom as possible.

The interior is vacuumed in all areas including, dash, center console, seats, carpets, luggage areas and vents before a variety of chemicals and tools are used to wet clean any soiled areas such as upholstery, trim, carpets, and headlining.

So, what does 'detailing' offer that is different?

In truth, there are a lot of 'grey areas', however, there is a major difference.

As you can see, mobile car valeting offers a very extensive method of cleaning for your car and ensures you are left with a car that maintains its value and is a pleasure to drive and a joy to look at.

So what more can you do?

The main difference, in reality, is around the paint rectification/correction process to get the paintwork looking its best, i.e. free from swirl marks, scratches and other blemishes ruining the appearance. These are removed through the use of a rotary or dual action machine polisher that combines a selection of abrasive polishes and pads designed to remove defects, polish the surface and leave a flawless hologram and swirl-free finish.

For most customers, the reality of the difference is the degree of attention to detail and the more corrective and enhancing processes used.

To be a professional valeter, you need to be trained in the processes of car valeting. To be able to detail a car requires additional enhanced training and equipment that enables you to undertake the paint rectification and the higher level of attention to detail.

Ultimate Valet offers a range of mobile car valeting packages for Cambridge and our sister company Ultimate Detail offers higher end detailing services such as Ceramic Nano Coatings and Machine Polishing.