An Interview with Auto Detox

[WHIZZER]

Can you start by telling us a little about yourself?

Hi my name is Barry Davies I'm 41 & live near Lichfield Staffordshire

What else can I tell you about me?

I started detailing professionally almost 7 years to the day this month & after being on DW for almost 5 years ! I thought its about time I did this as this month I have moved into premises for all my detailing work which is kind of a big step.
I like to take my mind off the day to day things with my R1 which is currently in pieces in the conservatory under going it's winter strip, clean, polish & yet to be concluded lsp lol. Love motorbike racing & used to be a trackday addict I rode a full on superstock spec Kawasaki ZX10 C1H ex Peter Hickman bike with a few bits I added myself along with new paint job & Brembo breaks its was always the cleanest & shiniest bike at the track (sad I know lol) but these days I just dont have the time really maybe next year might take it up to Donington for a day out of knee down fun. I have just sold my fully restored Mk3 Gti 3 door non sun roof which I spent a year on prior to that I had a Mk1 golf cab in solid black which was a real beauty. I love a good project to get my teeth into, next year I have my eye on a Leon cupra R for something a bit more modern he he

How did you ‘get into’ detailing?

I found it a natural progression from my valeting work where I cut my teeth so to speak, after about a year I added detailing services to my website & one day after looking back through my diary I had not carried out a valet for 6 months so just took them off & never looked back really

How long have you been detailing at ‘this’ level?

Honestly I don't consider myself to be at any level I just try to put out consistent work to the best of my ability & improve, hence the unit which I know will greatly help me bring myself up to the next level I want to be at so to speak

How did you learn to machine polish?

I did a valeting course many years ago and it was touched on there but not in much detail (no pun lol) so I just went home & practised I know a local bodyshop guy who is very proficient & I picked his brains then practise practise practise you could say mostly self taught

How many cars have detailed over the years?

Honestly no idea, I have about 50ish on my website & another 200 or so on my NAS at home, this is not counting all the ones I never broke the camera out on

Tell me about your first detail

I would say my first proper detail after valeting jobs was a Dodge viper powered truck SST I think they are called ? Not sure to be honest, it was an exterior protection, engine & interior ! I vastly under estimated the time I needed lol took me in the region of 11 hours to complete that truck, huge is not the word ! It was solid red & looked quite awesome when done I was well chuffed & the owner was quite happy too I returned a few years later to do his wifes Lexus for sale neither of us remembered untill I drove up to the house

What do you drive and how often is it detailed?

I touched on this above my daily work van is a Vauxhall combo before this I had a vito, some people rib the combo I think its a great little van much better then the merc, it gets a full detail twice a year & washed once a week. I sold my VW golf about 2 months ago & have a Yamaha R1 in blue (of course) in the conservatory under going detailing surgery at present

What is your favourite car to detail and why?

Porsche for the curves & lines for the inherent sticky paint not so much, I do a fair few Aston Martins & love them very much

Do you prefer to detail a Supercar or everyday car?

I really don't mind at all

What piece of detailing kit do you think every detailer should have in their arsenal? (excluding the obvious stuff like wash mitts etc.)

I have both Positectors & would not be without them but I think the most important thing you can have is the ability to adapt to the car you are working on

What are your current favourite brands and why?

I use a wide variety of brands, I rate & use the JB's products, have been using some AG products lately too, Swissvax & Gtechniq are my foundations as they do exactly what I want them to

What would be your single most important piece of detailing advice?

Keep an open mind & don't be afraid to take a step back if things are not going your way, live to fight another day

What do you do when you’re not detailing?

Looking through photo's of detailing, I love a good writeup with good clear shots of everything & at the moment all my time is being taken up with my new unit may not even make it for xmas pud this year ! I love photography but just don't get the time to do much these days wanted to do a night course next year at the local uni but again time might be against me, once things have quietened down at the new place I will look at doing some me stuff away from work, holiday, trackday, some photography here & there maybe

A few quick fire questions
Ferrari or Lambo ? Lambo all the way
Wax or Sealent ? Wax
Fish and chips or bangers and mash ? Fish & chips at a sea side chippy
McDonald's or Burger King? neither
Coffee or Tea ? Coffee & has to be ground please

Regards
Barry
Auto Detox

	Autoglym Autoglym - A UK based Manufacturer of car care products.

[Envy Valeting]

Interesting read Baz
Nice to see one of these up again, and from a long established DW supporter..well done all involved.

[SimonBash]

Agree with Tim, very interesting Baz.

I am totally with you on the coffee as well, we shall have to catch up for one when I am in your neck of the woods

Let us know what LSP you go for on the R1.

Which of the AF range are you liking out of interest?

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[Exclusive Car Care]

great read Baz

[Gleammachine]

Enjoyed that Baz'la, a good insight mate.

[Mark@Autobrite]

Nice read that maty.

Well done!

Regards Mark

[alxg]

I was wondering when you would make it onto this bit Baz, about time!

From someone who has met Barry I can vouch for his professionalism and also his enthusiasm and personality when it comes to detailing. Top fella

[Auto Detox]

Originally Posted by Envy Valeting

Interesting read Baz
Nice to see one of these up again, and from a long established DW supporter..well done all involved.

Thanks Tim thought it was about time I wrote a bit about myself for the DW massive, glad you enjoyed it

Originally Posted by SimonBash

Agree with Tim, very interesting Baz.

I am totally with you on the coffee as well, we shall have to catch up for one when I am in your neck of the woods

Let us know what LSP you go for on the R1.

Which of the AF range are you liking out of interest?

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Cool glad you liked it Simon, no worries when you are in the area next lmk & we will arrange something. No idea on the lsp for the R1 to be honest no idea when I am going to finish it with the unit & work at the moment is totally mental ! Which is a good thing. AF I like rejuvenate, triple, the shampoo & glass cleaner aswell as Zest which I really need to get more of, take it easy

Originally Posted by Gleamingkleen

great read Baz

Hi Jay thanks mate glad you enjoyed it

Originally Posted by Gleammachine

Enjoyed that Baz'la, a good insight mate.

Hi Rob calling me Baz'la reminds me of Brookside ! ha ha cool show that was, glad you like my waffle mate

Originally Posted by autobrite-direct

Nice read that maty.

Well done!

Regards Mark

Hi Mark, thanks mate

Originally Posted by alxg

I was wondering when you would make it onto this bit Baz, about time!

From someone who has met Barry I can vouch for his professionalism and also his enthusiasm and personality when it comes to detailing. Top fella

Alex you made me blush mate, thanks for the kind words. You know me work hard, like to have a laugh, enjoy my work & honest as they come Hope you, family are all well & thanks for taking the time to post


Happy christmas everyone !
Cheers
Baz

[leemckenna]

nice read

[Auto Detox]

Originally Posted by leemckenna

nice read

Thanks Lee