Car detail shop sees rise in trade-in work

By Barrett Newkirk

June 14, 2008 06:44 pm

— ANDERSON — High gas prices are creating an indirect boost in business for one local detailing shop.
Ed Kuhn, owner of Prop-Rocket, said his shop was seeing “quite a bit of business” from drivers wanting their vehicles cleaned and waxed before trading them in for something less fuel hungry.
In line for detailing last week was Stephanie Goodrick’s 2000 Durango. The Anderson resident said she was tired of spending $100 a week on gas and wanted to trade her truck in for a fuel-efficient car, “a Honda or something.”
She estimated the truck was worth less than $5,000, but the staff at Prop-Rocket made it look brand new.
She’s hoping the $75 investment for an interior cleaning and exterior wax and polish will be returned plus some extra when she trades in the truck.
Kuhn said car dealerships may charge over $100 to clean a trade-in vehicle.
“I’m not saying it will cost that much, but that’s what they charge,” he said.
Kuhn, 51, opened Prop-Rocket in February at the corner of 29th and Brown streets. Along with trade-in business, he said many people are choosing to take better care of their cars.
“If they are like me, they can’t afford to buy anything new anymore, so they have to take care of what they have.”
Kuhn opened his first detailing shop in Florida in 1984 and moved to Anderson two years later. His business eventually expanded to three shops, but all closed by 2000 as Kuhn said he was dealing with medical problems.
Prop-Rocket is the only retailer of Voodoo Wax outside of California. The brand is commonly used on airplanes and racecars, but is becoming more popular for everyday use, Kuhn said.
The wax is meant to reduce air resistance, which he said a lot of people may be interested in right now.
“I’m not guaranteeing that it will give you better gas mileage, but it will get you through the air better,” Kuhn said.