
“I’ve always been a detailer,” says Richard Tipper, reflecting on the term that defines his business, but which didn’t exist in the UK when he started out in 1989.
“It’s a terminology that came across from America,” he says.
“There, car cleaning is detailing; over here it has been adapted to refer to a cleaning service that is to the extreme.”

Richard’s passion for classic cars has led him to track down an impressive back catalogue of vehicles to work on, from F1 racers to rally legends
The clientele is often exceptional, too.
He counts off the models he has cleaned on a checklist, in much the same way collectors might with vehicles they own.
“Over the years I’ve hunted down cars that I’ve had a desire to work on,” he says.
“The first Ferrari that Michael Schumacher drove and won in; Colin McRae’s championship-winning Subaru – I’ve worked on the entire Prodrive heritage fleet.”


A custom-fitted van carries the tools of Richard’s trade, but owners can buy them, too