A “Detailed” Spring Cleaning Story by Zalutko Business Services, Inc., photos courtesy of the manufacturers
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espite last year’s ripple effect on the automotive industry, aftermarket brands dodged a number of market curveballs and entered 2021 with exciting new product lines and noticeably revamped fan-favorites. The $1.85 billion car-care segment, in particular, “performed extremely well” in a volatile year, finishing with “above-average growth rates,” said RJ de Vera, global customer engagement leader at 3M CHIM Division - Auto Care, in a recent key performance indicator report for The SHOP Magazine. With more customers opting to tackle car care needs at home, de Vera said his company – and many others – saw a bright opportunity for product innovation and consumer engagement, choosing to “re-evaluate how to develop, launch and market new and existing product lines.”
performance, this segment of the car-loving public is keen on accessorizing, and rarely hesitates to pamper their rides. As such, quality cleaning and wax products continue to emerge as perennial favorites – and are headlining many enthusiasts’ shopping lists this spring. Those owners eager to turn the corner on a long, cold winter may find the following all-star detailing lineup a useful place to start. Chemical Guys HydroInterior For the past few years, ceramic paint sealers have dominated product lineups across all car-care manufacturers. Celebrated for their ability to chemically bond with a vehicle’s painted surface, ceramic coatings are often touted as the ultimate exterior protection. Auto detailing company Chemical Guys aims to bring that performance inside with its HydroInterior ceramic quick detailing spray. Those car enthusiasts recoiling in horror at the thought of buffing carnauba wax on a dash can rest easy. HydroInterior does not use greasy finishes, instead relying on a specially-engineered formula of advanced interior cleaning polymers and SiO2infused chemistry to deliver a mattefinish ceramic treatment.
Meguiar’s heeded the call, expanding its Hybrid Ceramic line with a Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax and a new DIY Hybrid Paint Coating Kit. The company also updated formulations in its A beginner-friendly application, Ultimate Line and made time to expand its Ready-to-Use Profes- HydroInterior requires no surface prep and is formulated for plastics, sional Series with a DRTU Last Touch Detailing Spray. painted plastics, vinyl, imitation The crossover space between “hot rod owners” and “auto enthu- leather, plastic vinyl, door panels and more. Promising to clean siasts” is as large as it is varied, noted SEMA in its most recent and protect in one simple step, HydroInterior also helps repel 2021 Vehicle Landscape Report. From vintage metal to modern dust and shield against harmful UV rays. 18 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
