This Is No Ordinary Work Van

As you probably know, AF projects come in all shapes and sizes. From the big ones—like our Chevy Pickup and fleet of custom Mercedes vans—to the truly massive, like our AirStream Mobile Store. Then there are the small-scale builds, such as our Triumph Bobber and Honda Metruck. And, of course, you’ll always find a few jaw-dropping car builds lurking around The Auto Finesse Detailing Academy.

But today, we’re tackling a different question—what happens when we need a new general hauler for road trips across Europe? Well, as is often the case around here, we may have gone a little overboard on the spec…

Auto Finesse has a long and storied history with VW ownership—especially James, the man in charge around here. So, when the time came to find something practical for daily duties—without the need to haul one of the massive Swamper Sprinters everywhere—it made perfect sense to look at VW Transporters. After all, we know Wolfsburg’s finest inside and out. And with that kind of knowledge, there was never any doubt that this van would be fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. Plus, when it comes to style, few vans have the potential to rival our MSRT Transit Custom Crew Van or the bagged M-Sport Transit Connect Detailing Van. So, a VW it was, and the search was on.

Sometimes, practicality has to come first—and that’s exactly why James landed on this rare, long-wheelbase VW T6.1. But, in a bit of an unusual move for an AF project, the goal was to keep all that extra cargo space completely free for hauling stock, motorbikes, track wheels, tools, and whatever else we fancy. That means no water tank, no generator, no jet wash, and no extra seats for ferrying a crowd. But don’t be fooled—this van is still packed with an impressive array of special equipment. In fact, it’s got just about everything!

A bone-stock load lugger was never going to cut it—that much was a given. But thanks to James' extensive network in the modifying world, he managed to track down this low-mileage, top-of-the-line example, finished in VW Pure Grey and already kitted out with all the right upgrades. We’re talking Bilstein coilovers, 20-inch wheels, chunky side runners, LED lights, massive Revo brakes, and, of course, that stunning Bentley leather interior. Under the bonnet, it’s packing a punchy TD lump paired with a slick DSG gearbox. Quite the spec list straight off the bat!

So, with all that already in place, our job was simply to get it fully prepped for life on the road—a process that’s right up our street. But let’s be honest, it wouldn’t feel complete without adding a few signature AF touches, would it?

At the Auto Finesse Academy, it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about detailing. And when it comes to prepping a van—especially one that needs to meet detailer standards—there’s a clear-cut process to follow.

The first step, of course, is cleaning, and in many cases, this needs to be even more in-depth than your typical show car or well-maintained daily driver. Work vans spend a lot of time on the road, racking up miles far more quickly than most commuter cars. That means they tend to collect a heavy buildup of contaminants. On top of that, they often don’t see the same level of regular maintenance—partly because their sheer size makes them seem like more effort to wash and decontaminate. But in reality, with the right products, they’re no more of a challenge than your average SUV… unless you’re tackling a massive Luton lorry, of course. That said, a used van is almost always going to need some serious attention, particularly underneath.

For that reason, the first step is usually getting the wheels off for a deep chassis clean. Here, we start with a 1:5 dilution of Verso All-Purpose Cleaner on the inner arches and calipers, followed by Iron Out Contaminant Remover to break down metal particles from accumulated brake dust. Then, ObliTARate Tar & Glue Remover tackles any tar spots and sticky residues on the arches and suspension components—though not on the brakes, of course.

From there, it’s onto the standard process: wheel cleaning, pre-wash, contact wash, and a full 3-stage paint decontamination. Since vans typically pick up more grime, they might need extra product or stronger dilutions—like a more concentrated mix of Verso or Dynamite Traffic Film Remover, and maybe an extra splash of Lather Car Shampoo in the bucket for the really stubborn dirt.

Only once all that is taken care of is the van truly ready for polishing… and up close, ours definitely needed plenty of it!

One thing you’ll quickly notice with most vans is that they haven’t always been cleaned with the best techniques. This is especially true for ex-demos and dealership-kept examples—many of them look like they’ve been scrubbed down with a stiff broom! In fact, “brushing” is surprisingly common, and due to the large, flat panels of a van, swirling and paint defects stand out even more than they do on a car. As we all know, the only real way to remove heavy defects is by bringing out the Dual Action Polisher and working through the Revitalise Compound System.

Vans also rack up miles fast, which means they need solid protection from the elements to prevent further paint damage and even corrosion. The catch is that once a protective layer is applied, any imperfections left behind will be locked in. That’s why it’s always worth taking the time to cut out defects and refine the paintwork before sealing it. Machine polishing is the best option, but even a thorough hand polish will make a noticeable difference.

While this VW may have come fully spec'd, we couldn’t resist adding a bit of AF style to make it truly feel like a part of the fleet—that was always part of the plan.

As the paint correction was in full swing, we made our way to Wheel Pros Europe and picked up a set of staggered 20-inch Rotiform DTM wheels wrapped in Nankang AS-2+ Tyres. We also grabbed a full lighting kit from Transporter specialists, Travelin-Lite, and topped it off with an aggressive front splitter from Maxton Design. These are the finer details that really elevate the exterior and give it that finishing touch.

When it comes to exteriors, adding a durable ceramic protection was always the only option. This van is built to be used, and by the time you’re reading this, it will already be cruising around the country, attending various meets and events. Our Caramics Complete Protection Kit is highly recommended for any workhorse, especially one with a bit of flair. The best part? We’ve designed each part of this premium kit—from the Paintwork Protection Kit to the Wheels, Glass, and Interior Protection Kits—so it’s simple and straightforward to apply, providing up to 12 months of SiO2 protection. Unlike traditional ceramic coatings, there’s no need for professional training to achieve the desired results. It also gives surfaces a slick, shiny finish, preventing grime from sticking, making future cleaning much easier. So, it’s a win-win all around. But don’t just take our word for it—check out our guide, What Difference Does a Ceramic Coating Actually Make? to see how Caramics works its magic on your vehicle.

What might surprise some is that a single kit is enough to protect an entire van. While the wheels, interior, and glass are similar to those of a car, there’s still a lot of paintwork to cover, right? But with our SiO2-impregnated Ceramic Wipes, applying the coating is easier than ever. And it’s the same with all of our kits. The Glass Protection Kit uses wipes, and the wheels and interior coating are a simple spray-on application. It doesn’t get faster, easier, or more effective than that.

Of course, there was one last touch to add. After prepping it for the season, the van had truly earned its AF wings. We sent it off to Wrap Xtreme for the signature AF rear quarter logos and striping.

So, that’s the tale of the newest member of Team AF, and as you can see, it turned out pretty fantastic. Whether it’s almost too stylish to just load up and drive all over Europe, representing everyone's favourite detailing brand, is beside the point. After all, who says practicality can’t come with a whole lot of style?