Alvis TA14 (Exterior Revive)

---

A true classic and a different kind of challenge! This vehicle, dating back to 1948, was resprayed in the 1970s. Over the years, the paint had faded and reacted poorly even to water. Traditional cleaning methods would be too harsh for this vintage vehicle, given its age and unique characteristics, so we adopted a meticulous and thoughtful approach. We ensured the vehicle was cleaned with pH-neutral wheel and bodywork shampoo, avoiding the use of any harsh chemicals or foams. The polishing process was carried out entirely by hand on both the bodywork and chrome, revitalising the paint's colour and vibrancy without giving it a 'hotrod' look or compromising its authentic aesthetic. Our careful attention preserved the vehicle's period-correct appearance, maintaining its classic charm.

Another classic, this time hailing from the 1960s and the sunny shores of the USA. You might think, as I initially did, that this one’s beyond saving! Years of exposure to the scorching West Coast sun had taken its toll on the paintwork. The owner wanted to preserve the paint in its current, weathered state, along with some quirky interior elements—such as a fully stocked ashtray left untouched. The primary focus of this project was to meticulously polish all the metalwork back to its original shine, preparing the car for display at the 'Rock and Ribs' festival in Wincanton. Yes, every single square on the front grille was carefully polished to perfection.

Our first supercar! This project was both a pleasure and a challenge, The wheels on this magnificent machine are made of magnesium, which necessitates a very careful and specialised approach to cleaning. We used a pH-neutral cleaner to ensure the wheels were treated gently yet effectively and  removed the stubborn brake dust marks with fine-grade wire wool, taking great care to preserve the integrity of the delicate magnesium. After thoroughly cleaning the wheels, we applied a premium wheel sealant, providing a protective barrier that not only enhances the shine but also makes future cleanings much easier. 

Our first ceramic coating project! This reliable workhorse of a machine, which is used to its fullest extent, is now protected with a one-year ceramic coat. This advanced coating makes maintenance cleans simple and easy, while providing exceptional water beading like never before. Your vehicle will stay cleaner for longer, with a glossy finish that stands up to the rigours of daily use.

This was one of two cars that came in for a priority job, receiving our Total Revive treatment. Both cars were heading to the Alps for a driving holiday within the next few days, and the owners wanted to showcase them at their best. After rearranging a few things, we managed to fit them in and complete the job on time. The paintwork on this vehicle was heavily swirled from multiple car washes, and the customer requested headlight restoration, a service we hadn't previously offered. After some research and focusing solely on the vehicle's exterior to meet the deadline, we managed to finish the entire car and restore the headlights. We now offer headlight restoration as a new service, as it was the first thing the customer noticed looking exceptionally good!

This job pushed me to my limit. The customer wanted all the swirls removed from their vehicle, which had accumulated over many years of poor washing, leaving the paint in a severely damaged state. After a long day of polishing and cutting, some swirls still remained. Despite this, the customer was happy and left a great review. However, seeing those remaining swirls almost made me consider shutting up shop.

Tackling Tough Challenges: Smoke Odour Removal

This project was a real challenge and a great testament to our ability to handle specific requests—this time, eliminating a persistent smoke smell from a vehicle. Despite the owner's efforts to clean and deodorise, the odour remained, only masked by air freshener. We started by steam cleaning the entire interior, followed by a thorough deep clean using an all-purpose cleaner, and finished with detailed dressing. While we can’t show a visual before and after of the smoke odour, I’m happy to say that when the customer opened the door, they immediately noticed how fresh the car smelled.