Frequently Asked Questions

At Midlands Detailing we are fully armed with the latest products and tools to help remove paint defects that your car might have. We can safely and effectively remove swirl marks, minor scratches and areas of damage from tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout and road tar and grime.

Detailing? Valeting? What is it all about?
Wikipedia describes detailing as "...the practice of performing 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 a Concours d'Elegance, a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners" We couldn't have put it better ourselves!

I've heard some horror stories, are you insured?
Yes, your pride and joy is in safe hands. We are covered for public liability and the expensive and often overlooked and ignored cover for items worked upon. If we were to damage your car our insurance covers us for the cost of repairs (not that this has ever happened or is likely to happen!). Beware of companies out there without the correct insurance cover.

What payment methods do you accept?
We are often asked what type of payment methods we accept and we are pleased to announce that you can pay for the deposit or the full cost of the services using your debit or credit card through our secure payment gateway. As well as payment by cash we also can take cheque payments up to the value of the cheque guarantee given by the bank.

I can't see any prices on your site?
Because every car and every budget is different giving a specific cost for services could mean that we have to compromise our standards. We don't think your choice should be made on cost alone and hopefully we will be able to cater for everyone's budget - you may need more time spent on a specific area but aren't worried about one aspect of the service. We aim to tailor a service that meets your needs. As a guide our enhancement services start from £150 and dedicated Paintwork Correction starts from £275. Please get in touch for a quote and we will be happy to help.

What are swirl marks? Can they be removed?
Swirl marks are microscopic scratches in the top layer of your cars paintwork that are often visible in bright lights (such as petrol station forecourts) or at certain angles when looking at the car. They are often inflicted when the car is washed using an automatic car wash, washed by hand incorrectly or from applying too much pressure when washing. These marks can safely be removed using our paintwork correction detailing service - we safely remove a small microscopic layer of clearcoat from the surface of the paintwork removing the marks and restoring the true shine and lustre in the paint.

Example of swirl marks - often inflicted by poor wash techniques


What are holograms? Can they be removed?
Very much like swirl marks, paintwork holograms are microscopic scratches in the top layer of your cars paintwork that are often visible in bright lights (such as petrol station forecourts) or at certain angles when looking at the car and in direct sunlight. They are often inflicted when the car is washed using an automatic car wash or from poor previous machine polishing (using an incorrect pad/polish or from poor technique). These marks can safely be removed using our paintwork correction detailing or enhancement service, although it can be time consuming removing the holograms is usually straightforward - so no need to panic!

Example of holograms - often inflicted by poor machine polishing


OK, so now I know what it is, why should I?
A detailed car attracts attention. From the mean streets to the used car forecourt everyone strives to be seen. This is where Midlands Detailing fit in. We can take car cleaning to the next level - we can transform the look of a car to help get it the attention it deserves, from removing oxidation, swirl marks from automatic car washes as well as water deposits, scratches and scuffs to high quality waxes and sealants to bring your car to life - we can do it all.

Right, won't it just get dirty? How long does it last?
Paintwork correction involves the removal of the defects that are robbing the car of its true lustre and shine. When you have the paintwork corrected the results are permanent, and providing you wash the car safely then the defects should not return - we don't use polish that is full of heavy fillers that simply mask the marks.

I've seen detailing companies that use certain brands and manufacturers, what do you use?
Because we are not tied to a particular manufacturer or brand we are able to use the best products for the job that we have tried and tested. Most "authorised" detailers are tied up with having to sell a minimum number of products or only use a certain brand when detailing. We believe that the customer should get the best finish from the best products from a wide range of places without pushing a certain brand just so we can meet targets. You can be sure our services are independent and we would only use products that meet our very high standards.

My car has had an area resprayed, is that a problem?
Providing the repair has been done well it shoud be possible to get excellent levels of correction. We use a state of the art paint thickness gauge to help determine the levels of correction available, and you can take advantage of our free paintwork inspection to discuss any areas you may be worried about.

I have a lot of stone chips, can anything be done about them?
Stone chips can be removed or have the visibility reduced without the need for a costly respray depending on the size and depth using sympathetic paint filling and wet sanding, before being polished to match the rest of the paintwork. Get in touch with us for more information.

Why does correction take so long?
Machine polishing when done safely is time consuming - the bulk of the time involved is bringing the paintwork back up to perfection without compromising the levels of paint on the car or the amount of correction available in future. Beware of cheap and quick jobs - the use of heavy cutting pads and polishes are common, polishing the car without regard for the safety of the paintwork, either now or in future.

How often should I detail my car?
The main reason is for contamination and defect removal, and to restore and protect your paint. How often you should have the car detailed depends on the conditions that it faces - we know all cars are different, and we try to tailor the protection to suit your needs. Because of these reasons we say you should detail when the condition of the paint has deteriorated. One thing is for sure - once you see the results you won't be able to have a dirty car again!

Why choose Midlands Detailing?
We are trained by industry leading experts, with skills being updated regularly. We are equipped with the latest tools, polishes and waxes to ensure our customers receive a superior service. Our fully insured service is available at our detailing workshop where we are protected from the elements, as well as being mobile. (In some cases we may require the car to be left with us). It is our attention to detail and the pride we take in every car we detail that sets us apart from the rest.

What areas do you cover?
Midlands Detailing cover all areas of the West Midlands, Birmingham and beyond. We can accommodate a car here at our premises in the heart of Sandwell, or we can travel to you. Please contact us for more details. (An agreed travel surcharge may be applicabe).

How long will it take?
The time it takes depends on the service, but total paintwork correction can span over days, with many hours inbetween - We don't stop until we (and you!) are 100% happy.

I have another question you haven't answered?
We are happy to give advice and discuss your needs. You can give us a call or contact us using the contact form. We are happy to answer any questions you have about detailing

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