About Patz Auto Detailing Services

My love for cars began at three years old when my aunt and uncle gave me my first pedal car—a Red Baby Kart a Go-Go, made in Chicago, IL. Once I climbed in, you couldn’t get me out! I loved that car, and I still have it today.

At four, my parents decided they needed a car that fit our family of five better than a VW Bug. They took me from dealership to dealership, and soon, when a salesperson asked what features we wanted, I could rattle off every single option without hesitation. Eventually, my parents settled on a 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, and from then on, I had a soft spot for both Volkswagen and Oldsmobile.

I also learned two life lessons from my mom. She had a teak dining room table that was her pride and joy, and she took great care of it. One day, I asked why she took such good care of it, and she simply said, “I grew up when we couldn’t afford anything nice. Now that I have something I cherish, I make sure to take care of it.” I never forgot that. She also taught me how to clean. When my siblings and I did chores, she inspected our work—it wasn’t clean until she said it was clean!

So, with a love of cars, respect for taking care of prized possessions, and the mindset of “it’s not clean until I say it’s clean,” the foundation for Patz Auto Detailing was set.

At 15, I got my first car—a 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. It still had most of its metal, but Chicago winters had taken a toll. With some bondo and a few cans of spray paint, I turned it into my cruiser—and I washed it every week, rust and all!

I always told myself that if I could afford a new car one day, I’d treat it like my mom treated her teak table. I’m proud to say I’ve kept that promise.

Fast forward to 1995 when I found my dream car—a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible. It was love at first sight. I bought it, restored it, and still drive it today. Since then, I’ve added a 1965 VW Bug to my collection. Some of my best days are spent just driving and cleaning my cars from bumper to bumper.

While I considered myself a self-taught car care enthusiast, I wanted to dive deeper. I wanted to learn the science, techniques, and tools to properly clean, detail, and maintain cars. I discovered Detailing Success, a training program started by Renny Doyle, a leader in the automotive detailing industry. His institution, the Detail Mafia, is a group of hardcore professionals dedicated to the craft. I took the intense training course and became certified by the International Detailers Association (IDA). Like any profession, this was just the start—the learning never stops.

I’ve spent most of my career in business, working with many automotive brands. Cleaning my car on weekends was always my fun. Now, I get to share that passion and love of cars with you. Whether it’s maintaining a well-cared-for car or bringing a neglected one back to life, I love the process.

I look forward to expanding my "wash bucket list" and growing my detailing business. Every car I work on is treated as if it were my own, with the same care and attention to detail. Whether it’s a simple wash or a full detail, I’m committed to making your car look its best. I’d be honored to have you as part of this journey, and I’m excited to help keep your vehicle in great condition. Thank you for trusting me with your car—it truly means a lot!