Frequently Asked Questions

Detailing can involve paint correction processes with a rotary machine if needed. To correct… (Minor scratches, swirl marks, oxidised paint, bird lime etching and other paint defects). Clay baring, paint cleansing, sealants, superior waxes and treatments and can take days rather than minutes / hours paying a lot more attention to detail.

Valeting on the other hand, is basically a process of maintaining your vehicle to it’s particular standard and keeping it that way.

So as a result I offer both of these professional services to cover the full spectrum. Whether you need a full paint correction and / or detail or just a professional wash / wax we have it covered.

I can have a full valet for £15 down the road, what more do I get for my money using you?
This is a real question I was asked by a neighbour. To be honest I was shocked at the question before realising some people don’t really understand the dangers/possible costs of these types of services.

My answer… Its not what you get for the money, its what you don’t get! The next time you look at your vehicle on a sunny day “TAKE A CLOSER LOOK”. If you regularly use an automated car wash or local drive through your paintwork will reflect hundreds, if not thousands of scratches due to bad washing techniques and dirty sponges. I see damage like this all too frequently and considering this is the second largest purchase of your life, surely you need to stop and think. I can only wonder how much this has devalued you car by.
Prevention I believe is better than cure and a lot less costly.

Bad washing technique.

Automated Car Wash Damage

What causes these scratches?
As your vehicle queue's through the drive through waiting on its weekly wash, small stones and contaminants will be passed from car to car etching its way through yours and the next cars paintwork with the very same sponge. Needs I say more…
Alchemy uses a 2 bucket method ensuring no dirt or contaminants can be passed back to the paintwork and tarnish the finish.

What are paint sealants?
Whether you know or don’t know, paint is porous. When it rains your paintwork could absorb up to 1 pint of water if not properly protected. That water then evaporates back into the atmosphere. If this is allowed to happen too often, your vehicle will finally rust from the inside out. Paint sealants do exactly what they say – sealing the paint, forming a tough barrier against the weather. UV radiation, road salt, industrial fallout, etching, acid rain and just about anything else which is harmful to paintwork thus prolonging the life of your vehicles paint.
Sealants are by far the most effective way of maintaining the value of your car. Accompanied regularly with a good coat of wax your paintwork has the best protection possible.

Why is bird lime dangerous?
Bird lime is acidic and if left WILL damage your paintwork, leaving an etched mark so should be removed as soon as possible. In the extreme the marks can only be removed by wet sanding and machine polishing. In worse cases, it can even eat away at your paintwork. To remove the lime yourself do not just try to wipe off with a cloth as birds often pick up small stones to help digest food which is sometimes present in the lime. Just wiping away in some cases will scratch your paintwork. To remove the lime, simply wash away with clean water as soon as possible. Most of us carry a bottle of mineral water in the car which is ideal.

What is carnauba wax?
Carnauba is a wax derived from the leaves of a plant native to northeastern Brazil, the Caranuba Palm. The hardest wax known to man but also dries to an extremely deep natural shine. The higher the content of carnauba in a wax the longer it lasts, the deeper the shine and the better the protection from the weather. Some claim to use carnauba wax but in a lot of cases the carnauba content is so low it isn’t even worth a mention. Some of the highest levels of carnauba can be found in particular brands that cost up to £10,000 per pot.
We at Alchemy use some of the finest carnauba waxes available.