STICKLERS FOR DETAIL: COMPANIES SPECIALIZE IN GIVING VEHICLES NEW-CAR SHINE

Wayne Brown cleaned the interior of a truck after taking out the seat at Clean Attitude Auto Detailing in Jackson.

Everyone loves the look and feel of a new car. Not everyone likes expending the time and effort needed to maintain that condition.

Fortunately, there are businesses which are more than willing to handle those tasks.

"We specialize in making a vehicle as close to new as we possibly can," said Jason Brown, owner and manager of Ziebart Tidy Car at 1444 Independence.

Ziebart is one of numerous businesses in the region specializing in auto detailing. Although Ziebart prefers the term "cleaning," the mission is essentially the same.

Minimal services at the various shops can run from a standard wash and vacuum for around $20 to full-blown bumper to bumper cleaning inside and out plus the use of protective chemicals on the vehicle's paint and fabric.

Full service can run into the hundreds of dollars depending upon where you go and how extensive you wish the job to get.

Despite the cost, there is a long-term financial advantage to keeping one's car clean, detailers claim.

"If you have it done twice a year, you can get up to two times the life out of the car," said Paul Marberry, an employee at K&R Auto Detail at 12 S. Broadview.

Brown said people willing to commit to long-term care will find it well worth it. At Ziebart, those who get the full package can sign up for yearly upkeep at one-half the shop's normal rate.

"If you take care of the car throughout its life you will get most of that money back when you trade it in, if not more," Brown said.

The appearance of a well-kept vehicle and its effect on resale value is why detail shops do a large percentage of their business with used car dealers.

"A fresh, fully detailed car if you are looking to sell it can bring up to $500 more," Marberry said.

Why is it that detail shops can do more for a car than the average person can do at home? The main reason is the chemicals.

Most shops use cleaning products manufactured by Car Brite, the leading brand among detailers.

"It is just a lot better than the stuff you can buy in the store," said Jeff Roth, owner of Roth Auto Detailing at 1305 Gloria in Jackson.

Ziebart, a national chain of 650 shops, manufacturers its own line of products and trains its technicians in their use. Car Brite representatives also offer training in how to use those products.

Unlike the over-the-counter cleaner anyone can get at the parts store, professional strength items can be dangerous in the hands of an amateur.

"If you do not know what you are doing, a lot of this stuff will mess up your car," Marberry said.

Some vehicles take a lot of work, with some jobs taking a day or more to finish. However, cleaners and elbow grease can go a long way.

"People need to take a bit more care of their vehicles," said Kathy Byers, owner of K&R Auto Detail. Some of the ones we get here are pretty bad."

But clean vehicles are not the only way to improve a vehicle's look. Accessorizing helps to personalize a ride.

Dillard Dale, owner of Auto Trim and Design at 807 Enterprise, said competition between truck owners provides up to 70 percent of his business.

"The major portion of accessories nowadays are for pickup trucks," Dale said.

While most jobs run in the $200 to $600 range, many are as high as $1,500. Dale said his shop has done several jobs as expensive as $5,000.

"Everyone wants a sharp looking pickup. It's got to be better than the next guy's," Dale said.