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Wills and Martin Ponter carrying out a professional detail on an Aston Martin DB12. As a father and son team, Gleam Detail has been providing premium vehicle care across Kent since 2009, combining nearly two decades of experience with a shared passion for automotive perfection. Every vehicle receives the same meticulous attention to detail, professional workmanship and commitment to exceptional results that has helped establish Gleam Detail as a trusted name in vehicle detailing.

A Family Legacy of Automotive Perfection

Founded in 2009 by Martin Ponter, Gleam Detail has spent over a decade building a reputation for exceptional vehicle care throughout Kent. What started with a red Ford van, a small collection of tools, and a determination to achieve perfection has evolved into a trusted family-run detailing business focused on delivering outstanding results.

2009 – The Beginning2014 – Expansion & Growth2018 – Back to Our Roots2021–2023 – Family First2023 – The Next Generation2024 – Building an Online CommunityToday – Stronger Than EverThe Future

2009 – The Beginning

Gleam Detail was founded by Martin Ponter with a simple goal: provide detailing services that exceeded customer expectations. Working from a red Ford van, Martin quickly gained a loyal customer base through his attention to detail and commitment to quality. 

2014 – Expansion & Growth

 With investment from Steve Ponter, Martin's uncle and a successful businessman based in Thailand, Gleam Detail entered a new chapter. The business purchased a modified Volkswagen Caddy van and opened a large detailing unit in Rochester.

The premises also housed a salon operated by Martin's wife, Bex Ponter, creating a unique family business that offered both premium vehicle care and personal grooming services under one roof.


2018 – Back to Our Roots

After several successful years, the Rochester unit was closed and operations moved to a home-based workshop while continuing to offer mobile detailing services. This transition allowed Gleam Detail to maintain the personal service and close customer relationships that had always defined the business.

2021–2023 – Family First

During this period, business operations were paused due to family circumstances. Martin dedicated his time to caring for Bex while keeping alive the vision of rebuilding Gleam Detail for the future.

2023 – The Next Generation

The revival began when Martin's son, Wills Ponter, joined the business as Co-Owner at just 19 years old. Having grown up around detailing, Wills brought fresh ideas, modern marketing expertise, and a lifelong passion for vehicles.

2024 – Building an Online Community

As the business continued to grow, Gleam Detail expanded its focus beyond detailing alone and began creating content online. Through social media, live streams, behind-the-scenes videos, and educational posts, the team started sharing their passion for detailing with a wider audience.

This new approach allowed customers and enthusiasts to follow projects in real time, learn more about vehicle care, and become part of the Gleam Detail journey. What began as a way to showcase the business quickly grew into a thriving online community of car enthusiasts and loyal supporters.

Today – Stronger Than Ever

Today, Gleam Detail is thriving. Through a combination of exceptional workmanship, customer recommendations, and a growing online presence, the business is now almost always fully booked for the week ahead.

Across our social media platforms, Gleam Detail has amassed tens of thousands of followers who regularly engage with our content, vehicle transformations, detailing advice, and behind-the-scenes projects. What started as a small family business has grown into a recognised name within the detailing community, while still maintaining the personal service and attention to detail that built our reputation from day one.

Every vehicle we work on receives the same passion, care, and pride that has defined Gleam Detail since 2009.

The Future

While we're proud of how far we've come, we're even more excited about where we're heading.

One of our long-term goals is to once again open a dedicated Gleam Detail unit, creating a premium space where customers can experience our services at an even higher level. Having our own premises would allow us to expand our capabilities, showcase our work, and continue building the Gleam Detail brand for years to come.

Alongside the growth of the business, we're also continuing our popular Dream Car Series, documenting our journey of buying, improving, and trading vehicles as we work towards owning our dream cars. The series has become a favourite among our followers and reflects what Gleam Detail has always been about, passion, hard work, and a genuine love for cars.

The future of Gleam Detail is bright, and we're excited to have our customers and supporters with us every step of the way.



Meet Our Detailing Experts

Father & Son Team

Martin Ponter, Founder and Co-Owner of Gleam Detail, has been professionally detailing vehicles since 2009. With a passion for automotive care and an uncompromising approach to quality, Martin has built Gleam Detail into a trusted family-run business serving customers across Kent. His extensive experience, attention to detail and dedication to delivering exceptional results have helped thousands of vehicle owners maintain, protect and enhance their vehicles to the highest standard.

Martin Ponter

Founder & Co-Owner

 Martin founded Gleam Detail in 2009, turning a lifelong passion for cars into a business built on pride, precision, and exceptional customer service. His enthusiasm for the automotive world stretches back decades, and in the early 2000s he ran a thriving community group for Mini enthusiasts, bringing together owners who shared the same love for motoring.

With over 15 years of professional detailing experience, Martin has earned a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to achieving the highest possible standards. Whether working on a daily driver, cherished classic, or high-performance vehicle, he approaches every project with the same level of care and dedication.

Beyond detailing, Martin is known by many as a devoted family man. During some of the most challenging periods of his life, he put family first, making significant personal sacrifices while caring for his wife and ensuring those around him were supported. Those who know him personally often speak highly of his selflessness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the people he cares about.

Martin has also proudly volunteered with the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance for over five years, supporting a cause that helps save lives across the region. His dedication to helping others reflects the same values that have guided Gleam Detail since day one—hard work, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference.

Today, Martin continues to lead Gleam Detail alongside his son, Wills, combining decades of experience with an enduring passion for vehicles and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Wills Ponter, Co-Owner of Gleam Detail, bringing years of hands-on experience and a passion for automotive care to every vehicle. Since joining the family business, Wills has helped grow Gleam Detail through professional detailing, customer service, photography, media production and content creation, while maintaining the meticulous standards the company has been known for since 2009. His commitment to quality, attention to detail and enthusiasm for the automotive industry continue to help deliver exceptional results for customers across Kent.

Wills Ponter

Co-Owner & Social Media Manager

Wills first became involved with Gleam Detail at just 13 years old, joining the business through work experience and learning the foundations of professional vehicle detailing from an early age. Over the years, his passion for cars and business continued to grow alongside the company itself.

In 2021, Wills built a successful online presence as a content creator and YouTuber, growing a dedicated audience and developing valuable skills in media production, marketing, and community management. Despite the channel being wrongfully banned, the experience provided a strong foundation in content creation and audience engagement that would later prove invaluable to the growth of Gleam Detail.

In 2024, Wills officially became Co-Owner of Gleam Detail, bringing fresh ideas, modern marketing strategies, and a new generation of enthusiasm to the family business. Today, he plays a key role in customer relations, content creation, business development, and the day-to-day operation of the company.

Having grown up around the business, Wills combines hands-on detailing experience with a strong understanding of digital marketing, helping Gleam Detail reach thousands of enthusiasts and customers across its growing online platforms.