Index - Clean Image Car Valeting Articles

With these articles we aim to supply answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, and answers to the questions you should be asking, as well as entertainment for people who have nothing better to do but read about car care. If you can't find exactly what you are looking for, use the site search at the top of the page, and if all else fails, drop us a line!

Latest Articles

Article:
A repair and a half?

Whatever do we mean? It's how we handle rumble strips and feature panels.

By Danny - 3/06/09

Photo Gallery:
Modern Car Restoration - 205 photos

The best of the rest! We write articles about some of the cars we restore, time permitting, but there are many other vehicles that pass through our doors. We take photos that get filed away in our archive, sometimes because we don't have before and after shots. Here is a collection of snaps of some really nice cars and the folks who work on them. It gives a good idea of what we do here.

2005 - 2009

Article:
Flooded cars are a potential time bomb!

Cleaning up flooded cars is not as simple as most people think. This article shows why. Also see the photo gallery.

By Gary - 17/02/09

Q & A

These are the latest questions asked on our Q&A Section.

The manual says not to clean the car in sunlight as it will damage the paintwork - what would you advice? Model: Audi A4 [more]

how much would two dents and four corners of the bumpers the bumpers are not dented just paint rubbed off scrathed what would the be the cost to repair i have attached some photos many thanks Model:... [more]

I have some cosmetic chips and scratches to sort out. Drivers door edge, rear quarter panel and wing miror. Maybe 8 separate marks in total. About 4 stone chips are quite deep and will need building up... [more]

Q & A

Article:
10 tips to increase the value of your car

Secrets used by trade on getting
more when you sell your car.

By Danny - 31/01/09

Guest Article:
Should you purchase or lease a car?

An Article by GoCompare.com about the diferences between leased and bought cars.

By GoCompare.com - 2/12/08

Guest Article:
Modern Car Restoration Techniques

A run through of the different methods used in refurbishing and restoring modern cars.

By www.cararticles.co.uk - 3/11/08

Video Article:
How Lease Return Inspections
save you Money.

By Gary, Kieran, & Danny - 23/9/08

Lease Return Inspection and Preparation Video

Video Article:
Lease Return Inspection and Preparation

How you can save money when returning your car to a lease company. These people did!

By Gary - 09/09/08

Article:
'Car Cosmetics' - a new buzzword

So what are car cosmetics? We have our own definitions.

By Danny - 06/09/08

Article:
The danger of air fresheners

You wouldn't think they can damage your car, but they often do and the damage is often very expensive to repair!

By Danny - 05/09/08

Video Article:
Modern Connollising: Bentley

Leather Recolouring on a Bentley Turbo RT

By Gary, Kiern. Aaron, & Darrel - 23/8/08

Video Article:
Buttonizing™ an Ason-Martin DB7

Leather Recolouring article using our strongest method.

By Gary, Kiern. Aaron, & Darrel - 23/8/08

Video Article:
Removing the odour of tobacco...
and other herbs.

Wacky-Tobacky Odour Removal.

By Gary - 22/8/08

Video Article:
Hood Reproofing

We recolour and reproof the fabric hood
on a classic De Ville.

By Gary - 7/7/08

Video Article:
Paint Splatter

Fence paint splattered on a Ford focus,
we remove it.

By Gary - 7/7/08

Looking for Sponsorship!:
Rough Cut Racing Team - Honda Power Boats

Special Feature:
"The motor from Majorca
don't look like what it oughta!"
Rolls Royce - Modern Car Restoration

1. Intro & Wheel Refurbishment
2. Glass Repair
3. Rust Repair
4. Leather Recolouring - Seats
5. Leather Recolouring - Steering Wheel
6. Dent Repair
7. work in progress

By the New Again Team

Video Article:
Paint Spillage Clean Up

A can of paint goes over in the back of a BMW. See how we deal with it.

By Danny - 11/6/08

Video Article:
How Good is Supagard - part IV

This time we have conclusive proof... we got it on video! ...as if you needed any more proof!

By Danny - 11/6/08

Auto Trader - how to get the best out of it.

Article:
Auto Trader

How to get the best out of Auto Trader.

By Danny - 9/6/08

Article:
Smart Repair, Bodyshop Repair, and why we ask you to send us photos!

Trying to explain why sometimes a big scuff can be repaired with SMART, and a small one can't. Things are not always as simple as they might seem!

By Danny - Done ages ago, but I forgot to link to it!

Article:
5 reasons why you should bring your car to us for paint sealants

- not really an article, but some of the things that make us different from the rest. Important stuff!

By Danny - 6/6/08

Guest Article:
Supagard

A look at some of the benefits of Supagard with Steve Polain of... Supagard!

By Steve Polain - 6/5/08

Guest Article:
Why Should YOU Consider Contract Hire Instead of Outright Purchase.

Advantages for the business owner of leasing their fleet vehicles.

By Darren Nash - Planet Leasing - 30/4/08

Article:
Mammoth Paint Sealant FAQ

Everything you ever wanted to know about sealants and haven't been afraid to ask.

By the web stig - 25/4/08

Review:
How Good is Diamondbrite?

We found a car which was treated with Diamondbrite 15 years ago! What kind of condition do you think it is in now?
You will be amazed, we were!

By the web stig - 25/7/06

We review Supagard on a 7 year old SEAT.

Review:
How good is Supagard? Part II
Is is worth the money? You be the judge!

What the dealerships don't show you, how a 3 year sealant looks after 7 years. Pretty good.

By Danny - 12/04/08

Review:
How good is Supagard? Part III
A near mint condition Toyota Rav4.

A car we treated and maintained for the last 6 years.

By Danny - 16/04/08

Review:
How good is Supagard?

This is a very old article - there are much better examples above.

By Danny Argent- 4/07/05

Guest Article:
Why Diamondbrite?

Matt Elliston of Jewelultra tells us why we should have Diamondbrite on (and in) our cars, and tells us how it works.

By Matt Elliston - 04/8/06

Lease Return Article:
6 reasons why lease companies should be recommending us to their customers.

The benefits of our services to the lease companies

By Gary Wray - 27/07/07

Lease Return Article:
How to save hundreds of pounds when returning your lease car.

A case study of a car inspected by New Again.

By Danny - 26/06/07

Lease Return Article:
More benefits of our
lease return inspection.

It's not just the money... There are many other benefits too!

By Danny - 29/06/07

Lease Return Article:
The Triangle of Terror!!!

The cause and the solution to the arguments between drivers, fleet managers and lease companies.

By Danny - 06/07/07

Lease Return Article:
Why drivers don't make good inspectors.

Why drivers who inspect their own cars miss most of the damage.

By Danny - 07/07/07

Article:
Investigation into something fishy!

There was something fishy about the BMW Mini, could there be foul play? The game was afoot!

By Danny - 4/06/07

Article:
Want Sponsorship?

An article about motorsport sponsorship, why you can't get it, what you are doing wrong, and how to take a new approach.

By Danny - 12/03/07

Looking for Sponsorship!:
Rough Cut Racing Team - Honda Power Boats

Special Feature:
The Italian Job 2006

A photo diary of Lauren's journey to the land that gave us Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, we follow some very British super cars in one of the world's most famous races.

By Lauren Stebbing- 20/12/06

Article:
What do you get in a £5 valet?

It's debatable if you can actually call it a valet -- but take a look and see what you get when you take a brand new car to a cheap car wash.

By Danny - 27/01/07

Buffer trails left by poor buffing technique

Article:
A guide to rotary polishing

A comprehensive look at paintwork correction using rotary buffing - including the Zenith point technique.

By Mark (Brazo) - 4/11/06

Article:
What can PDR do for large dents?

An example of paintless dent removal on a large dent.

By the web stig - 14/10/06

Valeting or detailing? You be the judge!

Article:
What's in a name?

Car valeting, car grooming, auto detailing, auto reconditioning, etc. What's the difference between them and a car wash?

By the web stig - 08/09/06

Article:
Wet Sanding - Paintwork Correction

An example of the wet sanding technique used to remove bird dropping damage and scratches - part of our new paintwork correction service.

By the web stig - 09/08/06

Article:
Willy's Summer Visit

Willy Winterfalk visited us again this summer to buff some cars. Although this is a repeat performance with yet more Porsches, it's always worth taking a peak at his work.

Part 1 - Honda NSX
Part 2 - Porsche Carrera S
Part 3 - Autocar Magazine - Scratched Astra
Part 4 - Porsche Carrera 4

By www.cararticles.co.uk - 3/11/08

Guest Article:
High speed buffing with large pads.

If you buff cars then the easiest way is with a 200mm pad, yet many people are scared by larger pads?

By Willy Winterfalk - 28/7/06 -

Guest Article:
How to avoid swirl marks.

Many people find that once they have buffed a car and got it out in direct sunlight they get buffer marks. Willy shows us how to avoid it.

By Willy Winterfalk - 28/7/06 -

the sculptor - still from 206 advert - an amazing bit of panel beating!

Article:
Short-cut to finding a really good
Bodyshop/Panel beater

Some are good and cheap, some are bad and expensive. How to find the right company for you.

By the web stig - 29/07/06

Article:
Limousine Roof Restoration.

An insurance company points a limo in our direction after some firework damage to the roof.

By the web stig - 6/5/06

Article:
Joint Project - special coatings for Honda formula 4-stroke racing power boats.

A run through of the different methods used in refurbishing and restoring modern cars.

By Danny - 3/6/06

Guest Article:
Microfibre - a revolution in cleaning technology.

ind our why microfibre is taking the valeting world by storm.

By Marc Brady- 24/4/06

Guest Article:
Chrome Wheel Care

How to maintain, care and clean chrome wheels - we asked the experts at Cruzin On Chrome and they gave us this article.

By Peter Moorcroft

Guest Article:
Car Leasing - There's no escaping the cost of high mileage

Some tips on how to avoid end-of-lease recharges for excess mileage.

By Terrence Jumbe

Guest Article:
Should I buy or lease my next car?

Smart Leasing 5 Step Guide on choosing a leased car.

By Terrence Jumbe

Guide:
Lease Car Guide

A complete guide full of useful advice and tips about how to care for and return your leased car.

By Danny Argent - 10/01/06

Article on the foam Buffing Pads from Allbrite.

Guest Article:
Buffing with Allpad Part 1

Willy Winterfalk talks us through a Porsche he buffed while visiting Clean Image and explains why the Allpad buffing system is unbeatable.

By Willy Winterfalk

Article:
TVR Swirl Marks

We removed light scratches and swirl marks and corrected the paintwork on a TVR using the AllPad chemical buffing system.

By Danny Argent- 12/09/05

Guest Article:
Porsche Project

We carried out a project on a Porsche, Paintwork and wheels. See us removing scratches and swirls on this beautiful car.

By Danny Argent- 2/08/05

Article:
Good Morning Japan!

The Porsche article (above) generated a lot interest from as far away as Japan.

By Danny Argent- 7/09/05

Article:
The Green Bonnet

Find out why Mark valeted a bonnet with a scrubbing brush and mud!

By Danny Argent- 7/07/05

Article:
Dream FM competition winner

We play a game with car values, on and off the radio...
it's a game everybody can win!

By Gary Wray - 10/12/04

Article: Booking your car in

All about booking your car in and the way in which we do things.

By Sam - A long time ago

Article: Our Valet and Smart Repair Appraisal System

All about our appraisal system and the way in which we do things.

By Danny - A long time ago

Article: Has your new car got a future?

A short article giving basic advice to new car buyers.

By Gary Wray - 19/08/04

Article: Why Valet?

Find out all the benefits of a valet, why and when you should have it done. And how it can pay you back!

By Gary Wray - 11/12/03

Article: The Benefits of Regular Valeting

Why we think you should come and see us more
often and what you would get out of it.

By Gary Wray - 08/07/04

How to Guide:
Selling Guide

A complete guide full of useful advice and tips about how to sell your car. Learn where to advertise, when to advertise, and how to get the most money for your vehicle.

By Danny Argent - 20/11/03 Last Updated 6/06/05

Article: Foreign Exchange - Sweden

A report on Danny's busman's holiday and fact finding mission to Alingsås, and the different problems and approaches to valeting between the two countries.

By Danny Argent - 09/01/04

Article:
More off the wall adventures

Charity abseil to raise money for Chelmsford Unity Club.

By Danny

Article: Industrial Fallout and Raildust

The causes, the damage, prevention and cure.

By Danny Argent - 10/01/04 - Updated 19/12/05

Article: Something Every Fleet Manager should know
Five reasons why a car valet is a wise investment

Find out how valeting saves Fleet managers time and money

By Danny Argent - 13/01/04

FAQ: Alloy Wheel Refurbishment FAQ

All the questions people usually ask about having their wheels repaired, from chrome wheels to buckled and smashed wheels.

By Danny Argent - 20/05/05

Article: Eliminate cigarette smoke odours

The title says it all, here is an example of one of our 'second attempts' at removing tobacco odours.

By Danny Argent - 24/09/05

Article:
Stone Chip & Scratch Repair Advice

Due to popular demand, I have answered one of the most commonly asked questions - how to go about taking care of stone chips.

By Danny Argent - 29/04/05

Article: Polishing scratches with a random orbital polisher

A random isn't quite as fancy as some of the other machines, but it can still work wonders on light scratches.

By Danny - A long time ago

Photo Article: Stone Chip Repair opens in new window

Photographic example of how stone chip touch-in
can dramatically improve the appearance of your car.

By Danny Argent - 20/06/04

Photo Article: Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

Before and after shots of Alloy wheel restoration.

By Danny Argent - 21/06/04

Photo Article: Bumper Scuff Repair opens in new window

How we can repair trim and bumpers using special paints
which mimic the effect of textured plastic.

By Danny Argent - 21/06/04

Article: Plastic Window Restoration opens in new window

Before and after shots of the restoration of a rear plastic window
on a convertible car using Hindsight™.

By Danny Argent - 16/09/04 - Updated 25/08/05

Article: Fabric Hood Reproofing opens in new window

Actual photos of how a Renovo® treated hood looks in the rain.

By Danny Argent - 16/09/04

restoring faded paintwork on red Vauxhall

Article:
Paintwork Restoration

Another flick through our photo album and some examples of how we deal with scratched, faded and dull paintwork with wet sanding and buffing.

By Danny Argent - 07/07/04

Article: The Danger of Automated Car Washes

How these 'Evil' machines ruin your paintwork and devalue your car.

By Danny Argent - 03/07/04

My reflection in the mirror finish paint work

Article:
Concrete splatter fallout removal + Paint Restoration & PDR

Not only did we remove the concrete fallout from this Audi, but we also removed the dents and buffed the car to a mirror finish.

By Danny Argent - 8/9/05

Article:
Vandalised Mercedes - Interior clean-up

What would you do if somebody threw paint all over the interior of your Mercedes? The insurance company decided to bring the car to us for help. This proved to be one of our most difficult jobs.

By Danny Argent - 17/10/04

Article:
Vandalised Peugeot - Exterior clean-up

A varnish designed for sealing concrete was thrown over a Peugeot. We got the worst of it off on two hours so that the customer could do the rest himself.

By Danny Argent - 19/09/05

Article:
Flood Damaged Ford - Interior clean-up

We cleaned up a flooded Ford Focus for an Insurance company. It was filled with silt and smelt like a swamp so we had to take the car apart to tackle the job.

By Danny Argent - 22/09/05

Article:
Fire Damaged Astra - Interior restoration

Fire can cause a lot of damage to a vehicles interior, but the main problem is the smell. Can we fix it? Yes we can!

By Danny Argent - 17/11/04

Article:
Paint spillage - Interior restoration

Yet another paint spillage in the boot of an Audi,
here's what to do and how it is dealt with.

By Danny Argent - 10/12/04

Article: Interior Repairs Part 1 - Seat Repair
Article: Interior Repairs Part 2 - Dashboard Repair
Article: Interior Repairs Part 3 - Vinyl Repair
Article: Interior Repairs Part 4 - Leather Restoration
Article: Interior Repairs Part 5 - Cigarette Burns

As photos become available, I will be posting short pages giving actual examples of smart repairs on interiors. I hope to be able to cover plastic, vinyl, leather and carpet repair in the not too distant future.

By Danny Argent - 25/05/05

An April Fools Day Hoax Article:
Car Care for Modern Paintwork

Believe it or not, it actually fooled a few people - and we had great fun writing it.

By Danny Argent - 1st April 2006

Product Reviews

Company and Product reviews
As much as we would like to, we can't do everything! We often find ourselves referring our customers to other companies in related industries. In this section we will showcase their work, because it's fantastic work that they do!