About ESOTERIC

In a crowded field of also-rans, ESOTERIC stands alone.

 

Be a One of One.

Since our humble beginnings in our founder’s garage in 2009, ESOTERIC has grown from being the secret weapon for a few high-end auto collectors to becoming the standard in autocraft protection and enhancement for enthusiasts throughout Ohio, across the USA and around the world.

Our success can be credited to just one thing: Ridiculously high standards. In everything we do. Founder Todd Cooperider puts it this way: “The type of car you drive and the way that it looks are a direct reflection on who you are. You didn’t compromise on selecting the vehicle. So why compromise on the way that it looks?”

From our obsessive attention to the smallest detail to our exhaustive quality control, we bring a relentless perfectionism to every aspect of your vehicle’s appearance. Our standard is evident from the moment you engage with us. We take the time to understand what you are seeking to accomplish with your vehicle and partner with you every step of the way.

Our studio in New Albany, Ohio, is the headquarters for our enhancement and protection services, as well as the hub for all of our education and training work. Every day, we work on vehicles driven here or delivered by trailer, rail… or even by air transport. Our client list spans the globe. When you choose ESOTERIC, you are joining a robust community of owners who share our impeccable standards.

There is a reason you chose your vehicle. And it is the same reason you choose Esoteric. The very best deserves the very best.

ESOTERIC GLOSSARY

We say what we mean. We mean what we say.

In an industry that is awash with jargon, claims and hype, here is a glossary of terms we use, and what they mean.

Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coating is a liquid applied to your vehicle that hardens, forming a semi-permanent barrier. In addition to an increased level of gloss and shine, coatings also add a deepening and richening of colors. Blacks will be blacker, reds will be a deeper red, etc. Also on colored or satin wheels, coatings will have the same effect. It will not turn satin wheels glossy, but it will add a darkening and richening effect.

Satin vs Matte

These terms are often used interchangeably when referring to matte paint and PPF, but satin has a sheen and “matte” has no reflectivity.

Customer Service

We surround every point in the process with consultative engagement, video/photo updates, and clear communication. At ESOTERIC, you will never feel like you are out of the loop.

Paint Protection Wrap

We use the clearest, best performing film in the industry with unparalleled install quality. From front-end protection to fully wrapping a vehicle, we can customize a protection package to your exact needs.

Factory Paint

Many people are surprised to learn: ALL factory paint is a long, long way from perfect, requiring a significant amount of skilled effort to bring out its full luster, longevity and impact.

Fidelity

It is one thing to work on a high-performing supercar. It is another thing still to ensure the vehicle maintains spec during and after the process. Our full-time in-house mechanic ensures your vehicle is 100% dialed in when it leaves our studio.

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More than expertise: Mastery

47,392 hours and counting. When last we added it up, that was our team’s experience in enhancing and protecting the world’s finest autocrafts. Malcolm Gladwell famously said it takes 10,000 hours of intense practice to achieve mastery in any field, which places ESOTERIC in the rarest of company.

It is one thing to achieve mastery. It is another to continue pursuing new skills, new proficiency and new acumen with the same enthusiasm as a beginner.

At ESOTERIC, we are in a constant state of learning. We are typically the first to see the latest vehicles before they reach the masses, allowing us to work with the manufacturer, dealer and the vehicle owner to create a new masterpiece.

We are also in a constant state of teaching, educating vehicle owners and the industry on the latest techniques, applications and finishes.

When the stakes are this high, when there is no margin for error, when it simply has to be perfect—that is when discerning vehicle owners call ESOTERIC.

History (Still) in the Making

Take a timeline tour from our humble beginnings to present day.

2006
2006

Home Garage

Todd Cooperider begins operating part-time detailing business out of his garage.

July 2009
R
July 2009

It's Official

Officially formed Esoteric Auto Detail, LLC.

2009
2009

Autoweek

Selected by Autoweek Magazine as one of the Top 9 Auto Detailers in the U.S.

2010
Ferrari F40 Paint Correction
2010

Ferrari F40

ESOTERIC releases groundbreaking F40 Article.

May 2010
}
May 2010

Going All-In

ESOTERIC becomes full-time company.

January 2012
esoteric detail new albany sign
January 2012

HQ is a Go

Moves into current New Albany, Ohio headquarters.

2012
2012

Growth

ESOTERIC grows to 5 employees.

March 2012
ESOTERIC Detail Products
March 2012

eCommerce

Starts selling first detailing products. – esotericcarcare.com

Selling the products we use – easy to use with the best results

April 2012
ESOTERIC Detail Products
April 2012

Elite Detailer Academy

Officially launches the Esoteric Elite Detailer Academy.

Trains 500 detailers from 12 different countries around the world.

2012
ESOTERIC Detail Products
2012

Added Protection

ESOTERIC offers industry-leading ppf installation.

2013
ESOTERIC Detail Products
2013

RUPES Arrives

One of two companies to launch Rupes machines in the U.S. market.

First Global RUPES training facility.

2014
2014

KAMIKAZE USA

Launches Kamikaze-Collection in the USA. First distributor in the world.

2014
2014

GYEON

 Launches Gyeon brand in the USA. First importer and distributor for the US market.

2016
Acura NSX in snow
2016

Honda North America

Hired by American Honda to train and consult on their new Acura NSX project.

2018
2018

Partners Join

Key employees join as partners in the business. Name changes to Esoteric – Fine Auto Finishing.

Passes a dozen employees.

2018
2018

10,000

Surpases 10,000 vehicles serviced.

2020
2020

Dealership Partners

First onsite dealer business established at Mercedes-Benz of Easton.

2021
2021

Product Growth

Esoteric Car Care (products) outgrows the HQ facility and moves into its own building.

2022
2022

Dealership Partners

Second onsite dealer business established at Midwestern Auto Group.

2023
2023

Expansion Continues

A third facility was acquired to expand service offerings. Full-time employee count surpasses 40!

Common Questions Regarding Detailing

What is Detailing?
Detailing has different meanings to different people. Some view it simply as a thorough cleaning, while others view it as a time and labor-intensive service that involves machine polishing using nano-abrasives to remove defects and to refine the finish to a level that in many cases is better than when the vehicle is new. At Esoteric Auto Detail, we take the latter approach to provide our clients with the absolute best finish and surface preservation possible with the level of services that are required.
Why Have My Vehicle Detailed?
Increased value: By properly maintaining both the exterior and interior of a vehicle, the value can be significantly increased. Over time the finish of your vehicle will experience oxidation, swirls, light scratching, fading, as well as a build-up of contaminants that are harmful to the various surfaces. By having your car professionally detailed, you will restore the original beauty, and preserve and protect it into the future. If you compare two identical vehicles, one that has been professionally detailed and machine polished while the other has not, the difference in resale value is typically in the thousands of dollars for most vehicles. When comparing costly luxury cars and exotics, the difference in cost that comes from professional detailing can be staggering!

Protect your investment: This directly relates to increased value. Let’s face it; most vehicles depreciate rapidly, especially when they’re neglected. Protect your investment by having it properly maintained by a premium service offered by Esoteric Auto Detail. If you were investing $50,000 in the stock market, you would want to hire an experienced money manager with a track record of proven success to handle your account and maximize your return on investment. When you drive that new expensive vehicle off of the lot, you know that it will immediately lose value. So to get the most return on your investment, it is wise to have the appearance professionally maintained to retain as much value as possible.

Project a professional image: The condition of the vehicles we drive says a lot about the type of person we are. It’s no different than how we care for our houses, our landscaping, or our appearances. Beautifully prepared cars project confidence, professionalism, and makes us feel good when driving (or admiring) them!

What are Swirls? What Causes Them and How Do You Correct Them?
Swirls or spider webs on the surface of the car are thousands of micro-scratches that have a very negative impact on the overall appearance. They are more noticeable on darker colored vehicles, and can easily be seen in direct sunlight or under the lights at night while in a parking lot.

While there are many causes of swirls, the biggest culprit is improper washing and drying techniques. They can be avoided for the most part once you learn how to properly wash and dry a vehicle, as well as which materials to use. One trip to the automatic car wash (also referred to as swirl-o-matics), or a quick wipe down with the wrong kind of towel can quickly destroy 15 hours of machine polishing. Even if the local car wash or dealership offers a hand-wash, it doesn’t mean that they are using proper methods or materials, and in many cases can do more harm than good. It is very important to us that we educate our clients on how to maintain the new finish we have just provided. We will spend time on education after the service is complete, and even provide a detailed set of care instructions to help you maintain a clean and swirl-free finish.

The only way to properly and permanently correct swirls and other light defects are to level and refine the finish with either a rotary or random orbital polisher (we use both) combined with a variety of abrasive polishes. If the defects are moderate to heavy, it will first require a leveling of the surface through more aggressive compounds, followed by finely polishing or jeweling with a finer combination of polishes and pads to bring out the absolute best in clarity, depth, and shine. The defects are corrected by actually removing an extremely small amount of clear coat and creating a perfectly level surface. This process takes time and advanced skills and will yield amazing, and permanent results.

A “quick fix” that is commonly used by many re-sellers and inexpensive detailing services is to apply glazes that use fillers to temporarily hide the defects. The car may look good, but it will return back to normal after just a few weeks. We only use body shop safe polishes that have no silicone or fillers.

Do You Only Work on Exotics?
No…here at Esoteric Auto Detail, we work on all makes and models and at all levels of detailing. While we are known as Ferrari specialists, we still do a lot of basic detailing services on daily drivers. We have a strong customer base of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, etc. We showcase the exotics in our work and our photos because (a) that’s our specialty, and (b) people love to look at exotics! So regardless of what kind of car you drive, or what level of detailing you’re looking for, please give us a call.
Do New Cars Require Detailing?
The simple answer is yes! Two things can be accomplished by having your brand new car professionally detailed. First of all, most vehicles are delivered off of the lot with swirls and light marring either from the factory or from the dealer’s prep department. We have seen many very expensive luxury vehicles and exotics come this way too. Even with light defects, the finish only represents 85% – 90% of its true gloss potential. By proper machine polishing, the finish of your brand new car can be taken to a whole new level. It’s no different than buying that beautiful new 50” plasma TV. It looks great, but if you have it ISF calibrated when you buy it, you will extract that last bit of clarity and color rendition, and you will then be confident that it looks as good as it possibly can.

Secondly, you should start with proper surface preservation and protection when the vehicle is brand new. These are services that the factory or dealer simply can’t provide. Why not ensure that your vehicle remains beautiful as the day you bought it, and stays protected from the elements into the future?

Why Esoteric Auto Detail?
ESOTERIC Fine Auto Finishing was created for owners of fine automobiles who share the same passion for the art and beauty of cars that we do. It is this passion and appreciation for esoteric autos that inspire us to create some of the most beautiful and well-preserved vehicles in Central Ohio. We offer comprehensive yet flexible detailing and paint reconditioning packages to suit our clients’ needs, and we do it with unequaled quality and professionalism.

We are continuously researching the latest products and techniques, and networking with the absolute best detailers in the country to ensure that our detailing knowledge and skills are always improving. The fact that I write a comprehensive collection of detailing how-to articles and product reviews to educate other detailers and enthusiasts alike should be a strong testament to the knowledge and skills I have acquired, along with the high level I have risen to within the detailing community.

We work on a limited amount of automobiles so that we can focus on each vehicle and customer’s specific needs, and take the proper amount of time to get the job done right. The boutique level of services and skills that we provide simply cannot be achieved by volume-based detail shops.

Esoteric Auto Detail was established for those looking for the absolute best detailing and paint reconditioning services available.

Can I Hire Esoteric to Travel to Me?
While we prefer to restore your vehicle(s) to their original beauty in our own studio, we also understand that there are circumstances that would require travel to work within your facility. If you have valuable collector cars that you prefer not to transport, or if your collection is out of the country, we can make the necessary arrangement for travel to you. Both Domestic and International travel is available. Please contact Todd@EsotericDetail.com to discuss rates, travel fees, and schedules.
Does Esoteric Offer Training or Consulting Services?

Yes. We can visit your dealership, body shop, detailing studio, or manufacturing facility; analyze your operations, and make recommendations for tools, products, and processes related to detailing and paint restoration. We can also conduct training sessions one-on-one, or in groups. Please contact us to discuss your individual needs.

Travel Detailing Services

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