Detailing

barry1010 | 07:42 Sun 05th May 2024 | Motoring

16 Answers

When did car valeting become 'detailing', take days and cost hundreds of pounds?

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10ClarionSt

Never heard that expression, barry.

andy-hughes

It's American.

miser

It's an expression used by the sort of people who polish the insides of the exhaust pipes.

ladybirder

Very funny miser;-))

douglas9401

From the US, but still...

https://www.claritycarwashing.com/blog/why-are-professional-car-detailing-services-so-expensive

douglas9401

One should also bear in mind though that you can't polish a turd.

Ellipsis

... but you can roll it in glitter.

Khandro

It's an American expression & I think I may have helped its UK useage!!

In the 1970's I worked in Kentucky & helped a friend buy a car, I got speaking to a young guy preparing cars who told me he was grateful to the boss for giving him the chance to become a 'detailer'.

After returning to England I bought a used car myself (a Honda Shuttle) from a dealer in Oxfordshire and once again happened to get talking to the guy there preparing it, I said to him "You know, in the States your job is dignified with a professional name, you are called a 'detailer'. He was impressed.

I did the finance, and started off home but needed to fill the tank, stopped at a garage & couldn't find how to open the petrol tank cover, rang back the dealer's and said, "I've just bought the Honda, stupid I know, but & can't get into the petrol tank, who am I speaking to ? " and he said, "Steve", I said, "Steve?" he "Yes, you know, - 'the detailer'."

I often think of him when I'm cleaning my car. 😃

davebro3

a friend who has plenty of dosh has his car "detailed" a couple of times a year - costs about £150 I think.

Old_Geezer

Valet seems a professional enough name to me. Still we witness loads of Americanisms being adopted to replace proper English these days so while it's sad to witness it's no longer surprising.