Vulpix Detailing Academy VA monogram Vulpix Academy
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Build your valeting and detailing skills.

Hands-on training on real cars in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester. Choose a course, ask us to check dates and places, or get advice from James.

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Three ways in

Pick your starting line.

Start with valeting fundamentals, focus on machine polishing, or explore broader detailing and coatings. Choose your course and ask us to check dates and places.

Student detailing with a brush on a real car
Car Valeting
1-day beginner-friendly fundamentals
£350 / one day

Pay in full, or a £100 deposit with the £250 balance due on your training day.

For beginners and anyone building their valeting fundamentals. Cover chemicals and safe washing, engine-bay cleaning and interior deep cleaning, plus equipment guidance. No take-home kit is included.

Planned 2026 dates: 24 or 28 October; 21 or 25 November; 16 December. 09:00–16:30.

Check Dates & Places View course brochure (PDF)
James and a student machine polishing a car
Advanced Detailing
3-day detailing, correction & coatings
£1,500 / three days

Pay in full, or a £500 deposit with the £1,000 balance due on your first training day.

Beginner-friendly training covering decontamination and paint-depth checks, DA and rotary polishing, ceramics and pricing and sales basics. Day two is a full machine-polishing day.

Planned 2026 dates: 29–31 October; 26–28 November; 17–19 December. 09:00–16:30 each day.

Check Dates & Places View course brochure (PDF)
Reviewing the finished result with a student
Machine Polishing
1-day focus for existing valeters
£350 / one day

Pay in full, or a £100 deposit with the £250 balance due on your training day.

For existing valeters. Learn paint inspection and defects, rotary polishing, pads and compounds, heat control and finishing, wet/dry sanding, and stone-chip, touch-up and scratch repair techniques and limits. Excludes washing, decontamination and other wet preparation.

Planned 2026 dates: 30 October; 27 November; 18 December. 09:00–16:30. Normally shares advanced day two; final arrangements are confirmed with your place.

Check Dates & Places View course brochure (PDF)
Enquire to check dates and places.

*Prices shown are totals. An enquiry does not reserve a place. Before paying, read our Terms & Conditions, including the training cancellation policy.

Who teaches you

Built by detailers who run the business.

James Belfield, lead instructor
Founder · the craft

James Belfield

One of the UK's most-reviewed independent detailers. 90k+ YouTube subscribers. Teaches the hands-on craft on the unit floor.

The next step

Check dates and places.

Choose a course below. We’ll follow up about planned dates; James or the team will check places and explain payment before confirming a booking. Enquiring is free and does not reserve a place.

Still choosing? Book a free 15-minute phone advice call with James. He will call the number you provide. An advice call does not reserve training.

Before you ask

Quick questions.

Do I need any experience to start?
The one-day Car Valeting and three-day Advanced Detailing courses are beginner-friendly. The one-day Machine Polishing course is aimed at existing valeters who want focused polishing tuition. If you are unsure which fits your goals, book a free advice call with James.
Do you offer valeting and detailing business mentorship?
Yes. Our car detailing business mentorship costs £12,000 including VAT (£10,000 plus VAT). It runs for the full 12 months, with two mentoring calls per month and all existing scheduled training courses included, including repeat attendance with each place confirmed separately. The aim is to work towards your first £10,000 revenue month within 12 months; reaching it earlier does not shorten the programme. No earnings or business results are guaranteed. Book a free 15-minute discovery call with James to discuss suitability. A call does not enrol you or reserve training.
How big are the groups?
Usually a small group of five, with a maximum of eight. On shared machine-polishing days, the maximum is eight combined across advanced and one-day polishing students. This is the group limit, not the number of places available; the team checks places before confirming a booking.
How do course payments work?
For new bookings, one-day courses are £350 in full or a £100 deposit with the £250 balance due on the training day. Three-day Advanced Detailing is £1,500 in full or a £500 deposit with the £1,000 balance due on the first training day. Existing agreed bookings keep their agreed prices and payment terms. Every invoice is issued and emailed through Xero. The team will check places and explain how to pay; this page does not collect payment or reserve a place.
Where is the training held?
At Unit 1 Lower Wharf St, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7PE, Manchester. Course days run from 09:00 to 16:30, UK time. No take-home kit is included.