A YOUNG entrepreneur who started out washing cars for £6 has become the youngest Carpro authorised detailer in the world, at age 19.

Alex Chapman, from Thorpe Bay, Southend, started washing cars at 13 years old at his local tennis club and on his driveway but has come a long way since starting his own car valet business, Chappo’s Valeting, in 2013.

His business, now known as AWC Car Detailing, offers full machine polishing and protection treatments for luxury cars including Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Porsches and Lamborghinis, with jobs ranging from £500 to £4,000, depending on customer requirements.

Alex has become the youngest car detailer in the world authorised by Carpro, which specialises in nanotechnology car detailing products.

The thriving business has also become one of the 13 authorised Carpro professional detailers in England and last year moved into a state-of-the-art showroom facility in Great Wakering.

Alex, who was a finalist in the Essex Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, said: “We have a glass boardroom, waiting areas, car lifts and collection bays.

“It’s cool to see how far the business has come in four years. We now detail cars from all over the UK.

“I’m proud of my achievements and want to inspire young entrepreneurs. It’s important to have an idol to give yourself something to work hard to.

“My idol was the biggest detailing and paint protection company in the UK, now we’re in competition with them.

“It’s important to realise it doesn’t happen overnight.”

AWC Car Detailing now sells its own car cleaning products which are shipped all over the UK. Alex will soon be going back to his school, Shoebury High School, to mentor students in business.