Name: Joey Selek
Owner, Concord Auto Spa and co-owner of Capital City Limousine along with Ray Persinger
How long have you had the two businesses?
I've been detailing since 1978, and I opened here in 2005. And Capital City Limousine has been operating since 2008.
What does auto detailing entail?
Cleaning, buffing, waxing, shampoo, pet hair removal, stains, smells – it's a thorough cleaning, a little more than you can do at home.
What's the grossest thing you've ever had to clean out of a car?
We've had suicide vehicles, but the grossest thing ever was a 50-pound bag of rotting dog food. We've seen just about everything, from dirty diapers left in a car to apples or bananas under the seat that you've forgotten about for a year. And one car was covered in mold; it took eight hours with a toothbrush to clean.
What's the most common thing you have to clean up?
Just kids in vehicles and sloppiness, like the box of Cheerios or Cheez-Its or Animal Crackers.
Have you ever found anything interesting while cleaning a car?
Anything, from rings and jewelry to money. But it all gets back to the customer.
What is the most difficult thing to remove?
We've removed skunk spray, where a dog gets sprayed and then gets in the car. There's a specific product that neutralizes that smell. Dog hair, chewing gum and rust are all really difficult.
Are there certain cars that are more difficult to clean?
Volkswagen Jettas have the worst rugs. They're just a detailer's nightmare. Volkswagens in general are a pain. And Volvos and Saabs, you can't clean the motors because they are so temperamental they won't start again. So we just don't do them.
How clean is the interior of your own car?
I drive most of the limo cars, so my car is pretty clean.
What are some of the most exotic cars you've ever worked on?
We've had so many classics, like GTOs, '57 Chevys, '52 Cadillacs. The most expensive was probably a Ferrari. It's probably a half-million-dollar car. But we have supplies for every type of car. It's kind of like going to the doctor; we address the specific issues of each car inpidually.
You work at an auto spa: Ever do a mud windshield facial or some cucumber headlamp covers?
No, but we do a light headlamp restoration peel.
What's the craziest thing that's ever happened in one of the limos from Capital City Limousine?
What happens in a Capital City Limousine stays in a Capital City Limousine.
