Meet Ben Loydstrom, the local owner of a bespoke car detailing service for motoring enthusiasts.
You know those types of cars that turn heads?
Beautifully polished vintage cars, intricately restored antique automobiles, super shiny, super speedy and slick luxury cars…… if one catches your eye as you drive through the Southern Highlands, you’re probably looking at the work of Ben Loydstrom, owner of Detailed by Ben.
Now, we didn’t know there was quite the art to car detailing – we’re not kidding. Especially the kind of detailing Ben does on a daily basis.
“My repertoire varies, I can be working on anything from a 1959 Ferrari 250GT to a 2019 Porsche Carrera, right through to even a Mazda 3.
“Whatever the car may be that I’m working on, the principle of working with the paint, the materials, the machinery… It’s all the same… It’s all about precision and how the surface of the car responds to what you’re doing,” Ben explains. “One of the first things I say to any new customer is I can do as much or as little as you like. No matter the job, the emphasis is always on quality over quantity”.
See? We told you it was more than just a Wax and Polish!
Find out more about this super interesting niche business and the dedicated and passionate man behind it.
1 // Okay, we have to ask. Were you always this interested in cars?
“Definitely!
I’ve always had a keen interest in cars.
I raced a go-kart when I was young, and my dad was always interested in cars. It’s something I grew up with.
But it was when I got my first car at the age of 17 that I really began to appreciate the importance of looking after it and what it took, even way back then. I did a lot of experimenting with different products and techniques.
I’ve always had a thing for being neat and tidy (sorry ladies! He’s married!) and really enjoyed looking after my car.
People started to notice and would ask me if I could detail their cars to the same level as I looked after my own. From there, things kept rolling and in 2008 I decided to make it official.”
2 // Explain the niche market you work within.
“Being a car guy and always around car shows, motor racing and the automotive industry, I have gained a lot of experience and connections within the industry.
I’ve worked on several high-level cars over the years that have been entered into and won at multiple shows including Auto Salon, MotorEx, Summernats, Sydney Harbour Concours, Auto Italia and Motorclassica to name a few.
This year is no different. I worked on several cars in Sydney in preparation for the Sydney Harbour Concours, a rare and valuable car showcase, on behalf of Swissvax Australia. I worked closely with the owner of the Australian arm, Terry McLaughlan and came away with a win. It was for a ground-up restoration of a 1977 Range Rover by Paradise Garage in Sydney. I prepared it before Terry arrived from WA. In the 3 years I’ve been involved in the Concours I have managed to be involved in a win each year.
The second win was the preparation of a 1959 Ferrari 250GT on-site at the show. It was a daily driven car but I was able to get it in order and walk away with ‘best of show’, and ‘best Italian vehicle’. It was a pleasant surprise given the talent on hand.
In November of 2022, I prepared an Alfa Roma GTA 1300 for long-time customers and friends AA Panel Craft and Zoo Autocraft. A full Concours preparation for Motorclassica in Melbourne. A pretty prestigious event. It managed to net second place in the 100 years of Bertone Design class
In the 2022 edition of the Sydney Harbour Concours, I prepared a fair number of vehicles but the one that stood out was a 1927 Bentley Tourer which gained the curators’ award.
My business specialises in vehicle restoration and preservation of all makes and models. Particularly classic, vintage veteran vehicles. Both original or fully restored. But I also cater to just about anything, from trucks to tractors or even caravans if the call arises.
Restoring vehicles, in particular the classic and vintage vehicles, is one of my favourite things to do. It’s extremely satisfying being able to take a car and spend the time to do a thorough job and turn it into something spectacular.
The products I use are also very important. My staple is Swissvax. Handmade in Switzerland, designed exclusively for classic car care. I’m an official Swissvax detailer, earned after a week of rigorous training and testing. We even hit the road occasionally to detail special cars for shows.
But it’s not just about the type of car – it’s about the desired result.
As mentioned, I’ve worked on farm trucks, utes and hatchbacks that have wanted the best result possible.”
3 // So why is your level of detailing so specialised? It’s not just a case of a wash, a wipe, a wax and getting the chamois out, right?
“It’s certainly a little more complicated than that!
It’s something I’ve been perfecting for nearly 20 years, although you never stop learning. It is very much about the techniques you apply to the surface at hand. Particularly the way you work the paintwork of a car. In essence, it sounds very simple: glide the machine over the surface and finite. However, it’s actually a bit of a science of controlled heat via the use of different friction materials to reflow the paintwork and smooth out the imperfections. Through a combination of movement, downward pressure, and speed, both machine and physical, you create a controlled heat. Sometimes it’s all those things together, just one, or even a couple. This all depends on the paint system, the type of pad and the type of compound. Even temperature and humidity will affect how you tackle each job.
I do it all by feel most of the time
If you’ve been doing it long enough, you get to know what paint feels like when it’s in the right zone or not.
Because you’re working so closely with the car and its parts, you need to know where the limit is.
Especially on valuable cars, because there is a fine line between success and getting it wrong. It takes a long time to learn these little skills. For more than 15 years I’ve been polishing paint and you never stop learning because paint technology never stands still. They are always trying to reinvent the wheel.
The most important thing is preparation.
This can involve measuring the thickness of the paint on each and every panel at various points, masking off delicate areas, removing contaminants from the paint or metal surface etc. I compare it to hiring a surveyor before you build a house.
It may take longer but correct preparation leads to a far superior result and can also save you from making mistakes.
Once I’m ready to go I can have anywhere between 3 to 7 machines on hand. For example, on one particular quarter panel on a Concours Lamborghini, I used three machines, four different buff pads, three different compounds and a wax.
It took a lot of time, but we ended up with a flat glass-like surface that was pretty near perfect.
I love chasing that level of perfection.”
4 // So, what’s next on the agenda for you?
“I’m building on the long-established foundations of the business in the Southern Highlands and working with more local motoring enthusiasts and like-minded businesses.
I’m also looking at a few opportunities I have through some networking and relationship-building I’ve been doing with specialist automotive restoration companies, which will hopefully see me working on specialist restoration and rare car projects across the country. I’ve also bought myself a project car to showcase the sorts of things I can do within the business in relation to preservation and restoration. It’s a modern classic with growing value. There’s also sentimental value as it reminds me of childhood road trips with Mum and Dad. It’s got good bones and I’m going to use it to make footage for my YouTube channel.
It certainly won’t be my first rodeo; I’ve had many projects over the years. I’ve not long just sold my project of 10 years, an E36 M3 Evo, I’ve also had a Nissan, Opel, Mitsubishi, Holden and Ford to name a few.
Once a car guy, always a car guy!”
5 // We have to ask – what do you drive?
“I drive an SSV Redline, one of the last that we’ve had since new, and my wife, Jodie drives a Ford Everest.
I’ll be taking good care of the Commodore so we can preserve the memory of Holden. It was actually used in a television commercial for Holden and AC Delco.
I’m really into vintage and modern classic BMWs and Holdens, but given the chance, I’d build a big eclectic car collection. Not just supercars (maybe a couple), but vehicles with unique character, charm, iconic features, or unusual designs.
I love just about any car.”
6 // So what do you love about living and running a business in the Highlands?
“I’ve lived here nearly all my life and have always lived on a farm around animals.
My wife, Jodie and I are raising our two young boys [with another on the way] on land at Exeter, which happens to be where I grew up. Where we are at Exeter feels pretty untouched, although it is becoming more populated.
Exeter is unique and it’s close to Canberra if we feel like visiting the big smoke, but still far enough to be away from the hustle and bustle.
The climate is great, the air is clean, and the countryside is beautiful.
I spend a lot of time in the southern villages and just love it. It’s no wonder everyone wants to live here!!”
Detailed by Ben is a bespoke automotive detailing service based in the Southern Highlands.
Ben is a Meguiar’s and Swissvax Australia certified professional detailer and paint correction specialist.
He has vast experience in multi-stage paint correction, restoration and rejuvenation.
He’s worked on a huge range of vehicles – rare vintage classics, custom tuner cars, race cars and trucks, old school muscle cars, Aussie classics, Hot Rods, heavy vehicles and prestige luxury and sports cars.
If you love cars as much Ben does, we reckon you should get in touch with Ben and let him turn your car into the head turner it was meant to be!
More info and contact details here.
***
This blog features friends and advertisers of The Fold Southern Highlands and is fully endorsed by The Fold Southern Highlands. We strongly believe in the businesses and all the information we share with you on The Fold and we’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses. We want to say a BIG thank you to you for supporting our sponsors who help make The Fold possible.