Spic-and-span cars are becoming a regular sight along North Shore Road in Devonshire now that Bermuda Shine Limited has relocated there from its former premises at Mills Creek.

Tucked in beside the Terciera's gas station, it is the new location for the HWP Group's car valeting and rust proofing operation.

Primarily, Bermuda Shine provides the car cleaning and rust proofing needed for customers who have bought a brand new car from HWP and want to ensure that it is fully protected against the Island's unforgiving, rust-promoting environment.

But other car owners can book an appointment to receive the same level of service and protection. There is even a shuttle bus that allows car owners to leave their vehicle at the cleaning yard and workshop and carry on their day's business while their car is attended to.

Explaining the operation and the benefits it offers, manager Craig Earls said: "We rust proof cars and clean them up, washing and vacuuming them.

"We handwash the cars to eliminate the risk of scratches that can occur with other cleaning methods. We also hand wax."

The rust proofing is down on the underside of cars and also 'top side' around door and window seals and around the engine. The rust-proofing brand Ziebart is used, and it is a particular type suited to the moist, salty air environment found in Bermuda.

New car owners have their vehicle totally prepared for up to seven years of protection - and more if they keep coming for their annual check-up and inspection.

But why are new cars not given this rust proofing treatment at their place of manufacture?

HWP's chief operating officer Alan Brooks says it is partially due to cost, if a manufacturer can put that responsibility on the car buyer they are likely to do so. However, there is also a practical reason.

"They don't know where the vehicles will be ending up. They could be going to a cold, dry climate where there is little need for rust-proofing, or they could be going to a place like Bermuda with its sea air and heat where rust is promoted by the conditions.

"Some manufacturers do galvanise their vehicles for protection, but not all. In our environment where the atmosphere really promotes rust it is as important to have rust-proofing done as it is to have a yearly service."

The decision to relocate Bermuda Shine from the industrial estate at Mills Creek was made for a number of reasons. Company shareholders have ideas for the future use of the land, and it also fitted in with a plan to put the engineering workshops of HWP under one roof at St. John's Road, rather than have the satellite workshop at the Terciera's gas station site. The former workshop building is now used for the Bermuda Shine operation.

And being sited on North Shore Road is also advantageous for attracting the attention of passing motorists who may not have known about the service before.

To book an appointment call 292-6938.