What to Expect From a Full Valet: Step-by-Step Guide
When your car needs more than just a quick wash or is suffering from just having had too many quick once over jobs at the local supermarket car park a full valet is the perfect solution to bring it back to its best. Whether you’re getting ready for a special event, preparing to sell, or just want that “new car” feeling again, a full valet is a comprehensive service that delivers a showroom-standard clean- the sort of valet a car should get if it was being prepared for sale by a main dealer.
So, what exactly does a full valet include? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect when you book a professional full valet. (This service typically takes 4 to 5 hours per car.)
Wash Process
We start with a deep clean of the wheels, including the barrels(backs of the wheels) where accessible and arches. Door shuts (where the door hinges are) and fuel filer cap are also cleaned before a thorough pre-wash rinse to remove loose dirt and debris. Then we apply snow foam, which safely lifts road grime and softens tough contaminants. This reduces the risk of scratches during the contact wash stage.
Next comes the hand wash using the two-bucket method with grit guards to prevent swirl marks. We use pH-neutral shampoo and soft wash mitts to clean every exterior surface.
Once rinsed the car is dried using soft microfiber drying towels.
Engine Bay Clean
Whilst most clients now choose our Executive Valet (that includes everything except the engine bay clean) our Full Valet includes cleaning the engine and its bay.
Paintwork Protection
Our Full Valet includes a hand polish of the paintwork. Our standard polish (wax) is Autoglym Super Resin Polish an ‘all in one’ that does three things
- Firstly it removes a layer of dirt called traffic film that does not wash off. This deepens the shine on the car (especially on dark colours).
- The polish has some ‘cut’ to it so it can remove some very light scratches and swirl marks on the surface of the paint.
- It leaves a layer of protection on the paintwork that can typically last 6 to 12 months if looked after correctly
These processes can be split and done separately or the paintwork polished by machine if the paintwork is in very poor condition.
Any exterior trim and the tyres are re-dressed.
Full Interior Valet
Our Full Interior Valet starts with a thorough vacuum. Not only are the seats, carpets and under the seats vacuumed but inside all the pockets, under the boot carpet, inside the glove box and the cup holders.
The headlining (the inside of the roof) is cleaned by hand removing any marks.
All interior trim (dashboard, door panels, centre console, steering wheel and plastic trim around the seats) is cleaned using a series of brushes and cleaning pads.
Leather seats are cleaned if the car is fitted with leather trim.
Fabric seats, carpets and mats are all shampooed to remove dirt, soiling and marks.
Final Touches
The glass (windows and mirrors) are cleaned and polished to a streak free finish and the whole car is checked over.
The Result
A full valet is about more than just cleanliness—it’s about reviving your car’s appearance and restoring pride in your vehicle. You’ll notice smoother paint, fresh-smelling interiors, and a spotless finish that turns heads.
Not every car will need a Full Valet, and certainly not every visit so we offer a range of services. Details can be found here.
If you are in Surrey, Sussex or the surrounding areas and your car needs some love please call us on 07836 665955 for a no obligation quote.
