My name is Jean-Claude Corcoran and I started Detailed Designs Auto Spa in 2007. My father was a car nut and it was something that was instilled in me from my youth on. He was a difficult man to please when it came to his cars. I remember the first time I asked him if I could wash his car and get paid for it. He allowed it and I don’t think I ever did get those wheels clean enough for him nor get paid for it for not "finishing the job" (haha). The way my father was about keeping his cars as close to new as possible was something I hated when I was younger. But as I started to take real pride in the things I had to work hard to attain, it started to make sense to me. We work very hard for the things we own and how we care for them is a reflection of who we are. It took me time to learn this lesson but looking back at my father I see that many of the things that made him OCD are firm within me.
My exposure to OCD-like car care is much of what shaped my business, Detailed Designs Auto Spa, into what it is today. It is my goal that each service we offer has just the right amount of obsessiveness to make it truly special for our clients.
Quality long term automotive solutions is kind of “our thing”
When I personally make a purchase I think about a few things. Is it a product that has the fit and finish I am proud to display? Does it have quality craftsmanship so that it lasts a long time? Is it truly the right fit for my needs? For each of us, when we spend our money we want to know that we are getting what we really want and not just buying into snake-oil or a marketing gimmick. For our clients, we want to be the right fit as well.
This does not mean that every client is our client though. We understand that there are different needs for different clients and sometimes that means we are not what a client is looking for. But for ones looking for an incredible fit and finish, quality craftsmanship and a wonderful customer-experience, we can confidently say that we are likely the right fit.
We recognize that there are less expensive options for our potential clients and that’s okay by us. Our pricing structure is set so that we can do the job the way we do it. We know that to do a job the way we do it, with pride, expertise and as much time as needed to get it “just so” takes more time than a cheaply priced project can afford. Speaking candidly, all we are after an end result for the car and our clients.
Educating our clients during a consultation
Because we focus on our client’s needs and price their projects to be done the right way, we do not play an “upsell game” with our clients.The purpose of our consultations are to investigate the condition of a vehicle, discover a client’s true needs and wants while looking at their vehicle and to educate them about the available technologies. The condition of the car coupled with a client’s wants and budget outline what happens for our clients. Because our focus is on the right fit and not just throwing services at our clients, they don’t feel a pressure to buy when visiting us for a consultation. As a matter of fact, many times we send clients home to sleep a night or two before selecting the services they wish to have performed even after they left the car with us! Truly speaking, you will only find a warm and inviting environment that fosters you taking your time in deciding what services, if any, we perform for you.
Of course, our staff is always available to assist you or answer any further questions you may have. But we like our clients to be educated about how the services work and any possible limitations. In this way you are the most qualified to select the services performed. Because you are definitely in touch with your personal budget for your project, again, you can rest well knowing it was a no-pressure environment and you are comfortable with how much you choose to spend with us.
Craftsmanship-centric services
The fit and finish of our work runs hand in hand with all work being performed ethically. The reason this must be said is because many services can be completed with cut corners that result in a “smoke and mirror” -like finish. Paint correction can be done in a way that masks the true condition of the paint which results in temporary improvements that wash away or coatings that do not bond with the clear coat/paint as they were designed to. Clear bra can be installed in a way that results in cut paint that is not visible until the film is removed. Too, cheap clear bra can be installed in place of a quality film unbeknownst to an owner. Detailing can be done with harsh chemicals that harm the long term finishes of surface or leave oily residues that are difficult to fix. Expensive wheels can be damaged with wheel acids for the sake of saving time. The list of ways companies can increase profits by cutting corners could take up countless hours.
At Detailed Designs Auto Spa, services are performed on your car as we would do it for our own cars. We are dedicated to performing services in ways that are not harmful to the sensitive surfaces on modern automobiles. Paint correction is always performed so as to remove trace levels of oils, residues or lubricants that affect the bond of paint coatings or that would otherwise mask the true condition of the paint and wash out later. Clear bra will be responsibly installed so that paint is not cut and the underlying paint is ideally prepared for the clear bra. All services are done in a way that creates a long term solution for our clients without the smoke and mirrors many use. Treating the services we perform in this way requires substantially more time, energy, materials and expertise than the alternative.
There is Modesta and then there is everything else
In the world of ceramic and silica (si02) paint coating systems there is Modesta and then there is everything else. We have been installing modern professional-only ceramic paint coatings in Atlanta longer than anyone and we’ve used many of the popular coatings on the market. We made a choice to 100% represent Modesta in metro-Atlanta because we feel it is the absolute best product line available for the most discerning clients. Modesta is a Japanese company with Tomo Kashino as a founder and their dedicated chemist creating these awesome coatings. Every Modesta product is formulated in-house and only available to authorized Modesta installation experts around the world. Modesta offers a line of coatings for painted automobile bodies, clear bra surfaces as well as an industry-leading high temperature coating dedicated just to wheels and calipers.
Detailed Designs Auto Spa is proud to say we are Atlanta’s only Modesta installation center and we take pride in every Modesta project that leaves our facility.
Clear bra installations like no other in Atlanta
There are many ways clear bra can be properly installed on an automotive paint finish. Most shops go for the quickest route to cashing in a ticket. This results in unacceptable debris under the film, damaged paint due to hurried preparation processes, non-wrapped edges and sometimes bait and switch tactics with film brands. Other shops may offer a basic wrap that does not cause damage when installed, but has a fit and finish that is not very attractive.
At Detailed Designs Auto Spa, we want our clear bra installations to stand above and beyond the competition. This means removing emblems and modifying patterns to give more extensive coverage that offers better protection and a superior finish with less exposed edges. Better preparation for application of film which may mean paint correction prior to installation. And only using the best film we can get our hands on.
For clients wanting more extensive coverage, they can feel good about calling on Detailed Designs Auto Spa to perform their clear bra wrap. We have extensive experience with even full body clear bra wraps to protect the complete car! For our most particular clients, we offer a tear down wrap that limits exposed edges to the fewest absolutely possible. In short, we have many clear bra style and coverage options available for all of our clients needs.
In terms of our experience level - I have traveled North America training other professionals on our advanced clear bra wrapping techniques. My consulting business for clear bra installation and car care is modeled directly after Detailed Designs Auto Spa. The proof’s in the pudding and I think we have something really special for metro-Atlanta.
The full-monty
Many of our clients come to us because they are looking for a single source solution for their long term automotive car care needs. When someone comes to us they are assured to have the ability to bring their car to one location that performs all the work and ensures it is all done with world class fit and finish. This is why for those that visit us for consultations you will typically see very extensive projects at our facility. There is something to be said for having the peace of mind that all services are certain to be done right and one party is accountable for all of it. We view each car that leaves our shop as one we hold ourselves accountable for.
With that said. Some come to us for maybe one or two services. We never want anyone to feel like they must have a lot of services to be performed to feel at home with us. Quite frankly, we just want you satisfied no matter what or how much you have done and we know you will be completely satisfied!
You think we are too far away? We have a fix for that!
In the past we only really ever heard one complaint. That we were too far out of the way for some of our clients. We heard our clients and created a solution. We offer a safe hauling service for ones that need a convenient pick up or drop off. With our 24’ Intech custom all aluminum fully enclosed trailer, we can come pick up your new car straight from the dealership when it arrives or we can pick up from your house at your convenience. Our trailer features an escape hatch/door that swings away from the trailer revealing a removable fender. These modern technologies allow us to load a car and safely open the door to exit. This is a far cry from trailers which do not have these technologies and force the driver to exit through an open door window into a tight space between the trailer wall and the sensitive painted finish of your car.
For us, loading and unloading cars from a trailer is as important as any step and should not be rushed. For clients having us pick up their cars they can be assured that their baby is safe with us and will be expertly handled.
It all comes together in the end
For us it is not one thing that sets us apart. I do not have the time to describe every aspect of every service we offer. This piece is only scratching the surface of what we do. But I feel that it is all the pieces together that make us something special for metro-Atlanta and others feel the same as we work on cars from all over North America. We are not your typical car shop and we do not view our clients as a typical car shop does. We want an awesome client experience start to finish. We feel good when we tell our clients that we work towards an end result and not a time frame on projects. I know that the reason folks come to us is because they want us to work towards an end result as well. And while we are not perfect, we do aim for perfection. If anything is ever out of place, we sincerely want you to tell us so we can make it right for you.
The best way to get a sense of who we are and what we do is probably by calling us and setting up a consultation. You’ll quickly learn that we value you and want to make a lifelong client of you. We will create the right fit for your needs and will be there to support you after you leave as well.
I hope this helps you understand why we do business the way we do it and are not the least expensive option in metro-Atlanta. If you still don’t understand, no worries! Just give us a call and I will carve out some time to help you in any way I can!
Jean-Claude Corcoran