A car technician from Wishaw has revealed how she slashes repair costs using budget tools, including a kitchen salad spinner from Temu in her workshop.
Avryl Henry's Unconventional Workshop
Avryl Henry, 37, from Wishaw, runs her own vehicle repair and detailing business. She says thinking differently about tools has helped her stand out in a male-dominated industry while saving drivers money during the cost-of-living crisis.
She specialises in vehicle appearance, rust treatment, and bodywork, restoring cars and vans from a rented workshop. However, she does not always rely on traditional suppliers for equipment.
Cost-of-Living Crisis Drives Innovation
The RAC's 2025 Report on Motoring found that around two-thirds of UK drivers have faced unexpected repair bills, with many saying they would struggle to pay them. Avryl says more customers are now looking for cheaper ways to keep their cars on the road.
“In the last couple of years, I’ve started looking online for tools, especially for the smaller bits you don’t always think about,” she said. “Now it’s the first place I go if I need something.”
Salad Spinner as a Workshop Essential
Among her most unusual fixes is a household item that has become a workshop essential. “I use a salad spinner from Temu to dry my polishing pads,” she explained. “It leaves them just moist enough to work with properly. If they’re too wet, the product goes everywhere.”
She shared the idea on social media, where it quickly gained attention.
From Teenage Mechanic to Business Owner
Avryl first got into mechanics as a teenager after spotting a local performance garage and asking for work experience instead of following classmates into more traditional careers.
“I just walked in and asked,” she said. “I loved it straight away, especially the hands-on, dirty work.”
She left school at 15, went on to college, and completed a three-year apprenticeship before moving into bodywork and detailing, eventually launching her own business.
Keeping Costs Down for Customers
Now self-employed, she says keeping costs down is key for both her and her customers. “If you’re not spending a fortune on tools, you don’t have to charge as much for the job,” she said. “It also helps me work quicker, which saves customers money on labour.”
From sanding discs and polishing kits to detailing brushes and drills, she says many of her everyday tools are low-cost alternatives sourced on platforms like Temu, with little difference in performance.
“There’s a perception you need expensive branded gear,” she said. “But I’ve found similar items for a fraction of the price, and they do exactly what I need.”
Creativity and Inventiveness
Creativity is central to her work, especially in detailing where specialist tools are not always available. “A lot of what I do is very precise - removing scratches and restoring finishes - so you have to be inventive,” she said.
“I also do false lashes on the side, so I’ve got a lot of small beauty tools from that work as well.”
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
Despite still being a minority in the trade, she says attitudes are slowly shifting. “When I started, there were hardly any women doing this - you need a thick skin, but your work speaks for itself,” she added. “Don’t let anyone put you off.”
“People want good results without paying over the odds. You don’t need a massive budget - just a bit of creativity.”
