QUESTION TIME?
   

"Your starter for ten..."
 

We have often been asked "How do I remove this?" or "What should I do about that?" and most of the time we have been able to answer the question. The valeting of the car is not as simple as you may think and with different fabrics, textures and coverings, using any old home cleaner will not do.

If you have a particular problem, e-mail us at questiontime@carvalet.co.uk and we will do our very best to answer your question. We will however endeavour to answer your question within 24 hours or the next working day.

However, here are a few queries we get asked regularly: -
 

Can I use Washing-up Liquid to wash my car, without damaging it?
No, is the short answer, because most washing-up liquids are highly alkaline; one effect is that the paintwork tends to oxidise and fade. This can be sorted easily with a good wash (see How to Clean Your Car) and an application of a good quality polish such as Autoglym or Swissol.

How often should I polish my car?
This depends upon your usage. However, we recommend that at least once a quarter your car should be waxed with a premium polish. In the intervening months regular usage of a quality wash-wax solution will always add to the build up of wax protection.

My red car has gone pink, what can I do?
Well not tell anyone! But seriously, all that's happened is the paintwork has oxidised. Removing this fading is fairly simple and with the right washing materials and polish the results can be dramatic.

What's the best polish to use?
That depends upon your purpose and the type of paintwork. However, we have found Autoglym to be very effective, but the best polish / wax on the market that we've found is Swissol. That's why we use it ourselves.

How do I remove sick, milk or urine and the like?
Probably one of the most difficult things to remove. We have encountered many odd, unpleasant and stubborn things spilt in cars, any one of these is highly difficult to deal with. Whatever happens, the longer any of these substances is left in the car, the worst they will smell and need to be removed as quickly as possible. Extreme temperatures tend to accentuate the smells, and they are all difficult to remove and require special treatments. We will always give you two options - the simpler and cheaper way or the specialist clean, which though more expensive is far more likely to remove the problem. With the specialist service we always say that should the problem not be removed on the first occasion, we will return for a second attempt free of charge.

I've left my windows / sunroof open and my car has been flooded, can you do anything?
A simple extraction of the damp / wet area is not always enough, the likelihood is that the water now in your car is contaminated and will begin to smell. If we are able to assist, we will begin with shampooing the affected areas with a disinfectant chemical and shampoo.

Do automatic car washes damage my car?
YES! Even the most effective and advanced automatic car wash is still going to damage your car's paintwork. There is no substitute for a personal hand wash, see carvalet.co.uk's Guide to Washing Your Car.

When my car goes in for servicing should I let the Garage clean it?
That's a personal decision and one you should make based upon how you feel about the Garage. However, it may put your mind at rest if you ask to see the cleaner / valeter's qualifications. All carvalet.co.uk staff attend Autoglym's training course.

Does regular valeting really help my car?
Without a doubt! It is a proven fact that a regularly maintained car will fetch a better price than one that has been neglected. In some cases we have found it can improve your cars value by over 20%. The frequency of your valeting depends highly on your usage. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure or visit our Regulars page.

What's the difference between Shampooing and Steam Cleaning of Upholstery?
More than you may think! If a car is correctly steam cleaned then all seats and carpets should be removed. Using the steam (hot water) dirt is removed with a minimal of chemical. The seats and carpets due to their saturated nature could remain (depending on atmospheric conditions) wet for at least 48 hours. The seats and carpets will then need to be refitted correctly and safely.

Shampooing relies upon the correct amount of chemical and usage whilst using less water. Generally they are drier than steamed seats and carpets. There is no requirement to remove seats or carpets, therefore maintaining the safety of the car. The quality and finish using the shampooing method is generally as good as, if not better, than the steam cleaning.