Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Taylor.
Hi Corey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path into detailing wasn’t the traditional “I always wanted to own a detailing business” story. I’ve actually been working on cars since I was about 16 years old. In 2013, I left Arizona to begin a career with BMW, where I eventually spent over 10 years working as a BMW Master Technician and High Voltage Specialist. That experience taught me precision, discipline, problem-solving, and attention to detail at a very high level.
While working at BMW, we had a detailer at our dealership that many clients specifically requested by name instead of using our larger sister detail shop that focused more on volume work. Watching how customers interacted with him stuck with me. He became their trusted go-to person. I realized I wanted to become that same type of person for people — not only helping maintain and repair vehicles, but also helping people preserve and care for something they were proud of.
I’ve also always personally taken care of my own vehicles. I still own vehicles that are over 20 years old, and people regularly compliment how clean and well-kept they are. I’ve always believed if you properly care for something, it lasts longer, looks better, and you appreciate it more. Over time, that mindset naturally evolved into wanting to help others maintain their vehicles as well — especially for people who may not have the time, knowledge, tools, or environment to properly care for them themselves.
Over time, the dealership environment also shifted from feeling family-oriented to more corporate where employees often started feeling more like numbers than names. Around the same time, COVID happened, and while many people were furloughed, I stayed working full-time at BMW while slowly building CT Detailing Services & Coatings out of my garage on the side.
In the beginning, every dollar I made went right back into the business. I wasn’t out buying flashy things — I was buying better tools, better chemicals, better lighting, better machines, and investing into education. Every year, I made it a goal to attend at least one professional training course to continue improving my skills and learning from others in the industry.
From the start, I also wanted to make sure I was building a legitimate business — not just a side hustle. I became an LLC immediately, carried insurance, and even obtained an occupation permit from the city so I could legally operate from my garage while following strict operational guidelines. That foundation mattered to me because I wanted to build something long-term and professional.
One of the biggest influences on my growth has been the education and mentorship I received through Detailing Success and The Detail Mafia. I attended their intensive 5-day training program and later became part of their private mentorship group, which focuses heavily on business development, continued education, accountability, and core values within the detailing industry. After years of involvement and meeting the group’s standards, I eventually became an official Mafia member.
That community and training opened doors to opportunities I never expected, including being selected as part of the Air Force One Detailing Team at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. There, I’ve had the honor of helping preserve historical aircraft including the first jet-powered Air Force One, the B-29 bomber, and several other significant aircraft. To me, that experience is not about bragging rights — it’s about being trusted to help preserve pieces of history.
I’ve also had the opportunity to be selected for the 2024 Monterey Car Week detailing teams for both Motorlux and The Quail alongside some incredibly talented detailers from around the country. Experiences like that continue to push me to improve my craft and maintain higher standards for both myself and my business.
Today, CT Detailing Services & Coatings remains intentionally owner-operated and boutique-focused. I work on one vehicle at a time in a controlled environment and focus heavily on paint correction, ceramic coatings, window tint, and just got into paint protection film which is a growing service world wide. I’ve had people ask when I’m going to move into a larger commercial shop, but honestly, I already have most of what I need where I’m at. A larger shop may happen one day, but I also understand that bigger overhead usually means higher pricing and more pressure to increase volume.
For me, this business has never just been about cleaning cars. It’s about craftsmanship, trust, relationships, and building a lifestyle that allows me to manage my time and work in a way that aligns with my values instead of simply chasing volume or growth for the sake of growth.
At the end of the day, I still approach every vehicle with the same mindset: treat it with care, do the work correctly, continue learning, and never cut corners.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like most small businesses, especially service-based businesses, there has been a lot of trial and error, long hours, stress, and learning things the hard way.
One of the biggest early challenges was simply getting approval from the city to legally operate the business from my garage. The city had concerns about increased traffic and congestion within the neighborhood, which I completely understood. To help solve that issue, I structured the business as appointment-only and intentionally limited myself to working on one vehicle at a time. That boutique approach not only helped satisfy the city requirements, but it also ended up aligning better with the quality-focused experience I wanted clients to have anyway.
Another challenge tied to operating legally was that many cities classify detailing under “automotive,” which can make both home-based operations and commercial shop approvals more difficult. There can be concerns and assumptions tied to automotive businesses involving oil, transmission fluid, coolant disposal, heavy mechanical repairs, noise, or increased traffic.
I had to clearly explain that my business is very different from a traditional automotive repair facility. My work focuses on cosmetic preservation, paint correction, ceramic coatings, window tint, and paint protection film — not mechanical repairs or handling hazardous automotive fluids. A lot of time went into explaining the business model, operational procedures, and how I planned to operate responsibly within the city’s requirements.
That process honestly gave me a greater appreciation for running a legitimate business properly instead of just operating casually without permits, insurance, or structure.
Another major struggle was trying to build the business while still working full-time at BMW. During that period, I was essentially working two jobs. I would finish my dealership shift, have clients drop vehicles off around 6 PM, and then work on them until midnight or later before starting all over again the next morning. Because of that schedule, many clients had to wait until the following evening to pick their vehicles back up, so weekends became the most practical option for a lot of people who wanted same-day turnaround.
Trying to balance both careers at the same time was mentally exhausting because both required a lot of attention and focus. Working on modern BMWs all day already demanded concentration, diagnostics, and problem-solving, and then immediately switching into running a business after hours was difficult. Over time, those responsibilities can absolutely affect your personal life, relationships, marriage, and time with family. There are sacrifices people do not always see when you are trying to build something for your future.
Another frustrating experience early on was dealing with website builders and marketing companies. A lot of them tried to push me toward building a large high-volume shop image instead of understanding that I intentionally wanted a boutique-style business. Some companies also nickel-and-dimed every little change without clearly communicating expectations upfront. That process taught me how important it is to understand your own vision and not let others define what your business should look like.
I also experimented with mobile detailing for a while, operating out of my BMW X3, which honestly was challenging because I was never truly set up for full mobile work. I made it work when needed, but constantly loading equipment, transporting products, setting everything up on-site, and reorganizing it all afterward became time-consuming and hard on my own vehicle. That eventually pushed me more toward my current model of working from my controlled shop space while offering pickup and delivery services when possible.
The first few years were honestly just difficult because I had never run a business before. Nobody hands you a manual for pricing, customer communication, scheduling, taxes, marketing, equipment decisions, or time management. A lot of it comes from making mistakes, adjusting, and continuing to move forward.
Even now, I am still learning. But looking back, all of those struggles helped shape the business into what it is today and forced me to become more intentional about how I operate, who I serve, and the kind of experience I want clients to have.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
T Detailing Services & Coatings is a boutique-style automotive detailing and surface protection business based in McMinnville, Oregon. I specialize primarily in paint correction, ceramic coatings, window tint, paint protection film, and high-level vehicle appearance preservation.
What really sets my business apart is that I intentionally operate differently than a traditional high-volume detail shop. I work on one vehicle at a time in a controlled environment instead of pushing multiple cars through an assembly-line process. That allows me to slow down, pay attention to details, properly inspect surfaces, communicate directly with clients, and focus on long-term quality instead of rushing jobs out the door.
A large part of my business philosophy also comes from my background as a BMW Master Technician. I approach detailing with a very methodical and technical mindset. I pay attention to the small details, follow processes carefully, and focus heavily on proper preparation before protection is ever applied. Ceramic coatings and paint protection products can only perform as well as the surface they are bonding to. If the paint is not properly cleaned, corrected, and prepared beforehand, the final results and long-term durability simply will not be the same. I think that is an area where many shops cut corners in order to increase volume.
I also try to educate clients honestly instead of simply selling them the most expensive service possible. Not every vehicle needs a massive multi-stage paint correction or every add-on imaginable. I would rather guide someone toward the service that makes the most sense for their goals, expectations, budget, and how they actually use their vehicle.
Over the years, I’ve become especially known for paint correction, ceramic coatings, and high-level vehicle preservation work, but also for my interior detailing approach. I try to keep interiors looking clean, natural, and properly maintained instead of overly shiny, greasy, or filled with heavy chemical odors. My goal is for a vehicle to feel refreshed and properly cared for without looking artificially dressed up or uncomfortable to sit in afterward.
I also offer window tint and paint protection film, which allows clients to protect both the appearance and comfort of their vehicles in a more complete way. My goal has always been to create realistic long-term protection solutions instead of temporary cosmetic improvements.
Brand-wise, I’m probably most proud of the trust and reputation I’ve built through relationships and word of mouth. A large portion of my business comes from repeat clients, referrals, and people trusting me with multiple vehicles over the years. That means more to me than simply chasing volume or social media attention.
I’m also proud that I built the business intentionally and legitimately from the beginning. I made sure the business was insured, licensed, legally operated, and continuously invested back into training, education, and professional development. I’ve been fortunate to be part of organizations and opportunities such as The Detail Mafia, the Air Force One Detailing Team at the Museum of Flight, and the Monterey Car Week detailing teams for Motorlux and The Quail. Those experiences continue pushing me to improve both professionally and personally.
At the core of everything, I want readers to understand that CT Detailing Services & Coatings is not just about “cleaning cars.” It’s about craftsmanship, preservation, trust, and helping people protect something they care about. Whether it’s a daily driver, a family vehicle, an enthusiast car, or something rare and special, I try to treat every vehicle with the same level of respect and attention I would want for my own.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that might surprise people is that even though cars and business are a huge part of my life, I’m actually a pretty reflective and family-oriented person outside of work.
A lot of people know me now from social media videos and educational content, but being on camera did not come naturally to me at all. In fact, I used to be extremely uncomfortable speaking on camera. Over the past year and a half, I’ve intentionally pushed myself to get better through repetition and consistency. That experience has actually led me toward encouraging and mentoring others who struggle with confidence or putting themselves out there online. I always tell people you do not have to start perfect — you just have to start taking small steps.
Another thing people may not expect is that I used to spend a lot of time gaming. Over time though, I realized it was becoming more of a distraction from other goals and areas of life I wanted to focus on, so I became much more intentional with how I spend my time.
Outside of work, one of my favorite things has actually been doing cosplay with my daughter after watching anime series together. It became a fun and unexpected bonding experience for us and created some really good memories.
I also think my personality influences how I approach cars and the business itself. I have a lot of respect for people who preserve and care for their vehicles while still actually using and enjoying them. I appreciate seeing a well-maintained vehicle with stories, road trips, and memories attached to it more than something that just sits hidden away in a garage.
I’m also someone who naturally enjoys quieter moments — sitting by a campfire lost in thought, listening to ocean waves, or just taking time to slow down mentally for a bit. Ironically, I was terrified of lightning storms when I was younger, but now I can sit outside and watch them without fear. I think that kind of mirrors life in general — sometimes the things that once intimidated you become things you eventually learn to appreciate.
Pricing:
- Paint correction and ceramic coating services customized per vehicle and owner goals
- Window tint and paint protection film pricing varies by vehicle and coverage selected
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ctdetailingservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ct_detailing_services/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ctdetailingservices
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-taylor-8198aa351
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CT_Detailing_Services
- Other: https://share.google/XVj2l1aYkTyGXP3gj
