The Bank Holiday Big Detail

Turn Routine Maintenance Into An Enhancement Detail With This Collection Of Our Best Tips...

Bank holidays are perfect for detailing—it's a fact. Think about it: an extra day to spoil your vehicle and take it to the next level. With that kind of time, you can elevate your vehicle to a point where, for the rest of the season, all it takes is simple maintenance.

The reality is, with just a spare day and the right products, you can achieve a one-stage enhancement detail and still have plenty of time to deep clean your interior. Plus, you'll have time to add those essential finishing touches. And, if you have a little more time, we can guide you through the process of a full multi-stage correction too.

But let's focus on the ideal bank holiday enhancement detail. It’s all about being meticulous in your cleaning and decontamination, using the proper abrasives to refine and enhance your paint, and then protecting it for the months ahead. And of course, it will leave your vehicle looking incredible.

Here are our top bank holiday tips to transform your routine maintenance into a fantastic enhancement detail this weekend...

Step 1 - Wet Work

There's no denying it—putting in the extra effort during your detailing process will always pay off in the long run. A true enhancement detail is all about going beyond routine maintenance, taking your vehicle further and deeper into the detailing process.

The wash stages lay the foundation for everything that follows. While the specific products and techniques used will vary depending on the level of contamination, there are a number of extra steps that, while not always necessary during a standard wash, will set you up for success in your detailing journey.

Effective wet work is key, as it forms the basis for all subsequent steps. A thorough pre-wash is essential to minimize the risk of swirls and defects during the contact wash. When performing routine maintenance, we’re careful not to strip away any protection layers.

While avoiding swirls is important (after all, more swirls mean more polishing later), protection layers will need to be reapplied after polishing anyway. So, during an enhancement detail, saving these layers isn’t as critical. This allows for the use of slightly stronger dilutions and products compared to those you’d typically use during routine maintenance.

Wash Stage AF Tips & Tricks

Completely Decontaminate Your Wheels

We always begin any exterior detail with the wheels, but since we'll be applying wheel protection later (spoiler alert!), our main priority is achieving the deepest clean and decontamination possible. To really tackle grime, ingrained metal particles, and sticky residues, we use stronger cleaners and decontamination products than usual. A 1:2 dilution of Verso All Purpose Cleaner and neat ObliTARate Tar & Glue Remover are more potent than your typical maintenance products, but they are essential here.

While you can do a great decontamination with the wheels still on the vehicle, removing each wheel allows you to clean those hard-to-reach areas. When the wheels are off, start by working on the barrels first, then the faces. For this, use Iron Out Contaminant Remover and Revolution Wheel Soap, which will help remove embedded metal and grime. After rinsing, follow up with ObliTARate, gently agitated with a microfibre cloth, to tackle tar, rubber, and sticky residues.

After another rinse, turn your attention to the tyres. A strong dilution of Verso applied to both the wheel and tyre will not only help scrub away grime and old dressings from the rubber, but will also neutralise any leftover solvent from the ObliTARate.

Since most wheels are painted or powder-coated, treat them as you would your paintwork — even clay them for a thorough clean. Once done, your wheels will be fully prepped for waxing or coating to protect them further.

Deep Clean Your Arches!

We recommend flushing and brushing your inner arches during every wash, but after removing the wheels, you'll have much better access to reach every last bit of contaminant. Verso and Dynamite Traffic Film Remover are your go-to products here. A strong 1:2 dilution of either, brushed into the arch liners and suspension components, will ensure the deepest clean. For tougher contaminants, follow up with Iron Out and ObliTARate to thoroughly remove any remaining build-up.

Once the cleaning is complete and all grime has been rinsed away, finish off with Dressle All Purpose Dressing. Simply spray it onto the still-wet arches, and let it work its magic.

Decontaminate Your Exhaust

The exhaust is often one of the most overlooked parts of a vehicle during maintenance, but the good news is that decontaminating it is easier than many realize, especially with the right products already used for cleaning your wheels.

To effectively decontaminate exhaust tips, simply apply Iron Out, spray it on, and then work it in with a Barrel Brush (or Mini Barrel Brush), followed by a detailing brush. This will remove soot and grime, leaving the exhaust tips prepped and ready for a thorough polish afterward.

Decontaminate & Degrease Door Jambs & Shuts

Door jambs and shuts are often overlooked during routine maintenance, but we always recommend giving them a good scrub with Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover before starting any pre-wash. Since we're not concerned about stripping protection at this stage (seems to be a recurring theme, right?), you can use more powerful cleaners to thoroughly tackle the grime. Engine Degreaser, along with stronger dilutions of Verso and Dynamite, work wonders for removing the stubborn grease and grime in door shuts. Simply spray, agitate with your detailing brush, and rinse away for a clean finish.

Boost The Power Of Your Pre-Wash

There are several ways to boost the cleaning power of your pre-wash, especially when preserving protection layers isn't your main concern. Options include using a 1:2 dilution of Dynamite with Avalanche Snow Foam, or opting for Verso as your pre-wash cleaner. For added effectiveness, you can even mix Verso into your Snow Foam Lance to ensure thorough cleaning and flushing of all panel gaps. Just add around 100ml to your Avalanche solution, spray it on, and work it into areas like grilles, window rubbers, and other intricate spots as usual.

Deep Clean Exterior Plastics

Another excellent use for Verso is after your contact wash, specifically on exterior plastic trim. Simply spray it on and gently agitate with a microfibre cloth to deeply clean matte plastics, removing any remnants of old dressings. This prepares the surface for a fresh trim dressing during the finishing stages. Verso’s versatility truly shines here—after all, the name says it all.

3-Stage Decontamination Wash

It’s crucial to fully decontaminate the paintwork before any polishing begins. We always recommend a thorough 3-stage decontamination process to ensure all contaminants, which washing alone can’t remove, are eliminated. This process starts with Iron Out, a chemical solution that dissolves sharp metal particles (often from brake dust) embedded in the clear coat. Next, ObliTARate is the go-to product for tackling sticky residues, easily breaking them down with its powerful solvent-based formula.

The final step is the clay stage, where a Clay Bar and Glide Clay Lube are used to physically pull any remaining contaminants from the surface across the entire vehicle.

For heavily contaminated vehicles—like those that haven’t been properly protected for months—it’s worth intensifying the action with your Iron Out and ObliTARate. Lightly agitating these products with a microfibre cloth or Polish Pad helps dislodge the most stubborn particles, making them easier to wipe or rinse away. As for the clay stage, it’s essentially a form of agitation anyway, isn’t it?

Step 2 - Enhancement

Enhancement is all about refining your paintwork. The goal is to remove oxidation, marring, and light swirling, bringing the surface to a level where it’s ready for top-tier protection.

While you can certainly choose to hand polish, using our Handi Puck with a Microfibre Spot Pad or Revitalise Spot Pads will be highly effective for swirl removal and enhancement. But, since it's a bank holiday weekend and you’ve got the time, we all know the machine polisher is going to be your go-to tool for this job.

Enhancement - AF Tips & Tricks

Tripple - Clean, Enhance & Protect

Now, we've mentioned that our bank holiday enhancement will involve a machine polisher, such as the DPX Dual Action Polisher or MPX Dual Action Polisher. However, it’s important to note that this isn't the same as full paint correction, which is a much more involved process that typically requires multiple stages of cutting, polishing, and refining, as well as a variety of products to achieve a finish that surpasses factory standards.

For a quick yet highly effective enhancement in just a few hours (rather than days), Tripple All-in-One Polish is the perfect solution. It’s a true multitasker, handling deep cleansing, refining, and even adding a layer of carnauba wax-based protection—all in one simple step. Paired with a soft Revitalise No:3 Pad (or a Revitalise No:2 Pad for harder paint types), Tripple will restore a flawless shine every time.

Pay Attention To The Smaller Areas

When it comes to machine polishing, there are always areas of paintwork that can be tricky to reach with a larger 5-inch pad, such as A-pillars or spoilers. This is where our new MPX machine shines. With both 5-inch and 3-inch backing plates included, it's perfect for tackling smaller areas when paired with our Revitalise Spot Pads.

For the tightest curves, contours, and more intricate spots, hand polishing with Tripple on a Microfibre Applicator or cloth is your best bet. These smaller details might seem minor, but they can make a significant impact on the overall result.

Keep In Mind, It's Not Just About Your Paintwork

Remember, polishing and refinement extend beyond just the paintwork. Many other areas can benefit from a bit of machine or hand polishing.

Gloss plastic trim, for example, often collects swirl marks, but these can be effortlessly removed with Tripple and our MPX polisher, or even by hand. These products are also perfect for enhancing carbon fibre trim.

Headlights are another area that can significantly improve with polishing. Plastic components often become faded, oxidised, and discoloured, but a quick hand or machine polish with Tripple can restore them to their former clarity.

Lastly, don't forget your glass. Windows and mirrors can easily accumulate stains and grime, which can detract from an otherwise perfect detail. Vision Glass Polish tackles this by combining mechanical cleaning (abrasion) and chemical cleaning to break down stubborn stains. Its unique abrasive formula also helps remove or conceal fine scratches, restoring crystal-clear clarity.

Step 3 - Interiors

While interior maintenance typically involves a quick vacuum and a spritz of our versatile Total Interior Cleaner, that's simply the essence of regular upkeep! However, if you're aiming for a more thorough deep clean, there are a few extra tips and tricks that will take your cabin to the next level.

AF Tips & Tricks - Interior

Be Sure To Deep Clean Your Leather

Shiny leather often indicates it's dirty, which means seats and steering wheels should be cleaned regularly to remove body oils and stains. Hide Leather Cleanser is a gentle, glycine-based cleaner that breaks down these oils, as well as deep-set dirt, reaching into the pores to leave the leather fresh and clean, even beneath the surface.

For heavily contaminated leather, a 1:5 dilution of Verso used with an Upholstery Brush will effectively degrease surfaces, providing a thorough deep clean when needed.

Focus On Those Often Overlooked Areas

When was the last time you gave your headlining or seatbelts a proper clean? These often-overlooked areas are some of the biggest culprits for trapping unpleasant odours, whether from food, cigarette smoke, or general grime. The good news? Cleaning them thoroughly is both straightforward and effective with just a little Total or Verso mixed into a bucket of hot water.

Simply dampen a microfibre cloth in the solution, wring it out, and wipe down the surfaces. Follow up by blotting any excess moisture with a fresh cloth. For stubborn stains, spray a 1:10 dilution of Verso directly onto the affected spot and gently work it in.

It’s a simple process, but tackling these forgotten areas can have a surprisingly big impact on your vehicle's overall cleanliness and freshness.

Make Sure You Sanitise Your Vents

Wipe Out Interior Disinfectant is an essential cleaner for high-contact areas like steering wheels, door handles, and gear knobs. Designed to eliminate 99.99% of germs and bacteria, it’s a go-to product for any detail. But it also serves another important purpose: sanitising heater vents. By spraying Wipe Out directly into the vents, you can target an area known for bacteria buildup, effectively cleaning deep inside where other methods can’t reach.

Polish & Protect Hidden Areas

Returning to the inner door shuts and sills, these areas can be elevated with a touch of Tripple applied using a microfibre cloth or Microfibre Applicator. This versatile All-in-One Polish works wonders by eliminating oxidation and stains, refining paintwork, and enhancing the shine of gloss plastics and carbon fibre. Plus, it leaves behind a protective layer of carnauba wax—just as it does for your vehicle's exterior.

The Finishing Touches

Some finishing products are simply indispensable—think Finale Quick Detailer, Crystal Glass Cleaner, and Satin Tyre Crème—essential tools in routine maintenance. Finishing, however, is as personal as the vehicle you’re working on, often influenced by the car’s specific needs. That said, in our opinion, nothing quite matches the warm glow of a quality wax. It’s precisely why we developed our Signature Hard Waxes, designed to cater to virtually every paint type and finish.

A hard wax doesn’t just elevate the look of your paintwork; it also adds long-lasting protection, making it the perfect follow-up to polishing with a carnauba-infused product like Tripple. For that unmistakable deep, glossy finish, we’ll always choose a wax over other options.

Looking to go even further? There are plenty more finishing touches to include in your bank holiday enhancement routine…

Finishing - Tips & Tricks

Get That Wet & Glossy Finish

You can apply your hard wax directly over surfaces polished with Tripple for an incredible finish—but if you’re after an even wetter, glossier look, adding a layer of Ultra Glaze Paint Glaze beforehand can make all the difference.

Ultra Glaze is a non-abrasive, acrylic polymer-based formula designed to elevate your paintwork's appearance. It enhances depth in darker colors and adds brilliance to reds, while also filling and obscuring fine scratches and imperfections for a smoother, more flawless look. This “easy-on, easy-off” glaze can be applied by hand or with a machine polisher, delivering a true show-car finish that’s sure to impress.

Wheel Protection

No part of your vehicle endures more extreme abuse than your wheels. Considering that most wheels feature painted or powder-coated finishes, they require stronger protection than other surfaces.

That’s precisely why we created Mint Rims Wheel Wax—a synthetic, high-temperature wax designed to withstand harsh contaminants like salt and brake dust while being gentle enough for use on all wheel finishes, including delicate polished or anodized surfaces.

Mint Rims is also ideal for a detail like this. Not only does it provide robust protection, but it also significantly enhances the appearance of your wheels. A thorough application, inside and out, is all it takes to make those rims gleam!

Give Your Plastics A New Lease Of Life

Faded plastic trim, especially on older vehicles, can quickly detract from the overall look of a detail. This kind of fading, typically caused by UV exposure, requires a specialized restoration product like Revive Trim Dressing to bring it back to life.

The great news is that Revive is incredibly simple to use. Just apply it with a Foam or Microfibre Applicator, buff off any excess, and watch as it instantly restores trim by deepening and rejuvenating its color while leaving a sleek, factory-style satin finish.

Revive’s silicone-based formula is not only water-resistant but also packed with advanced polymers that guard against future fading. Safe for all exterior plastics, this standout product is a quick and effective way to transform the look of your trim and elevate your detail in no time.

Clean & Enhance Window Rubbers

Window rubbers are often overlooked during the finishing stages, aside from a good brush during the pre-wash. However, they can be revitalized using Verso. Simply apply a light spray onto a microfibre cloth and work it into the surface to eliminate staining and minor abrasions, restoring a pristine, factory-like finish.

Polish Your Brightwork & Metal Trims

Polishing brightwork, chrome, and bare metal wheel lips is undoubtedly the perfect finishing touch to any enhancement. It’s these small details in detailing that truly make a difference!

Another area that should never be overlooked is the exhaust tip – this is the ultimate finishing touch, showing that you've gone the extra mile.

The key is our Mercury Metal Polish, a formula that both cleans and polishes in one simple step. It removes oxidation and restores the shine. Just apply a small amount to a microfibre cloth or applicator, work it into the metal, wipe away, and buff – it’s that easy. For heavily contaminated tips, when you need extra power, Mercury Xtreme Metal Polish is the perfect solution.