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Having a passion for cars from an early age, and specifically for cleaning cars, I was naturally tasked with the job of cleaning my father’s car on week-ends. Every time I carried out this process, (single bucket and old sponge method, I might add!) I was constantly trying to improve on the previous week’s results . . . little did I dream how this would eventually escalate!
Fast-forward to the late 90’s when I purchased my first car, a Renault 5GT Turbo, in red (insurance? Ouch!). This became the subject of all my attention, particularly the cleaning and polishing.
Each week-end, without fail, Saturday would see this car washed, polished by hand, and the interior cleaned: Sunday was the engine bay’s turn for its regular clean and polish.
Over the years this ‘OCD’ attention to detail and passion for a clean vehicle has never left me, just increased in strength.
Fast-forward again to 2010, when I made my most expensive vehicle purchase: a liquid yellow Renault Megane R26. Unbeknown to me at the time, this would prove to be a turning point in my detailing career.
I began researching the products needed for the finish I desired, whilst arranging for a machine polishing course with Gordon Muir of Defined Details. After a little practice on my own car, I began offering paintwork enhancements to friends. This proved to be a runaway success, and my experience expanded through working on many different types of vehicles. The next step to improve my knowledge and skillset was further training.
In 2012 I underwent intensive one-to-one training with Kelly Harris of KDS;
In 2013 I secured my first business premises. Advance Detail was born!
2015 Saw us accredited by GTechniq, allowing us access to their Professional Application Only coatings. This in turn brought in more work, allowing for further expansion and investment in our studio premises. The ball was now rolling, and detailing work came in thick and fast!
Leap forward to 2017, and our new premises happened. Using all my knowledge accumulated over the years experimenting with different lighting setups, I designed and installed our new detailing studio. This has been the real game-changer, making my life easier (when applying coatings), and much harder during the paintwork correction stages, as defects are much more visible (and I cannot live with paint defects!)
Looking back to taking an ‘old’ approach when cleaning my father’s car, whilst dreaming of maybe seeing a supercar up close, I never thought that these two loves would become an actual business for me. Being branded by my Clients and loyal following with names like ‘the Guru’, ‘the Paintwork Surgeon’ and ‘Dr Jon’, to name but a few is not only flattering, but drives me to learn, improve and ‘grow’ even more by being open to the latest innovations. Little did I know that I would become the ‘go-to’ guy, trusted by local dealerships such as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
Exciting times are coming for Advance Detail and our Clients, with new services such as Paint Protection Film (PPF) installations, leather restoration and leather recolouring on the horizon.
Our one-to-one training is becoming ever more popular, inspiring the next generation of detailers. Among these could be future members of our team, helping to pass on our passion for perfection, which is the embodiment of Advance Detail.
