When Evan Benson started working in the car detailing industry in 2015, he had an immediate passion and love for the work. Starting with minimal knowledge of the industry, he eventually gained two certifications and now has his own detailing business in Northeast, Land of Lakes Detailing, 2600 Johnson Street NE.
Benson specializes in exterior and interior detailing and says there are many physical benefits when your car receives this level of service. “It preserves the condition and increases the lifetime of your [vehicle] interior and exterior,” Benson said. “It prevents oxidation on the exterior and keeps [interior] leathers from fading and color changing. It keeps your carpets from deteriorating and it prevents a lot of wear and tear on your interior.”
Recent national statistics collected by a 2020 IHS Markit study show cars are now driven 20% longer than 20 years ago. Now, the average car on the road in the U.S. is 11.8 years old, giving owners more reasons to consider increasing the vehicle’s life span with routine detailing services. The process of exterior and interior detailing is meant to refurbish and recondition the vehicle by removing imperfections, providing top-tier cleaning and decontamination and, according to Benson, a goal to “get the car back to factory condition and looking as new as possible.”
The work can span from detailing cars, watercraft, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and off-road vehicles to helicopters and airplanes. Benson says, “If it can be driven or flown, it can be detailed.”
Born and raised in New York City, Benson relocated to North Minneapolis and opened his shop location in Northeast because he wanted to work in the city and not on the outskirts. “I wanted to be accessible and I felt this was a great location to build a presence,” said Benson.
After several years of comprehensive training and experience as a detailing apprentice through Carsmotology in Plymouth, Benson obtained his certification in ceramic coating while later gaining an accredited certification through Canadian company Glossbaus.
“Ceramic coatings are next level detailing,” Benson said. “It’s very extensive and high impact because you are sealing a person’s vehicle for a minimum of two years to last five years or even more. You are doing the buffing process to eliminate as many repairable scratches as possible. The goal is to get the car to 95% perfect and restored because you are sealing everything beneath the coating.”
Besides the physical benefits of detailing, Benson says there are psychological benefits as well. “Not only is it a cleanliness factor, but some studies have shown that people feel better when their vehicles are clean and organized,” said Benson. “They [people] are more optimistic progressively throughout the day.”
Additionally, Benson’s detailing expertise led to a connection with road-racing champion Kim John Crumb, who gave him an opportunity to participate at the 2019 BMW Oktoberfest national event in Greenville, S. C.. After detailing a car for the Concours D’Elegance show at the event, Benson brought back a third-place award – the only award won by a Minnesotan.
Although Benson says he enjoys both interior and exterior detailing, he says interiors are his favorite and “the transformations are just remarkable.” He says detailing is like art to him and there are many components and facets that are involved for each job to come together.
“You use a variety of products, tools and equipment almost like an artist or a composer when they are creating a masterpiece,” said Benson. “You don’t just go out with one instrument and get the job done. There are parts, a machine, operation, and process. You don’t just go into a vehicle with a rag, towel and spray and expect fascinating results.”
Land of Lakes Detailing operates daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Benson can be reached at 612-978-4551 or through his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/lol_detailing/
Below: Evan Benson in his detailing shop. (Provided photo)
