Ever since we expanded into our new space in Lynnwood we’ve become quite comfortable with our little corner of automotive nirvana. Despite being a bit farther out from Seattle proper than some clients may like, the workflow has been consistent, busy, and booked out. So booked out, in fact, that we’ve been getting requests from interested parties outside of Washington & even the US that want to experience the full NWAS treatment. We’re not a franchise, and by most industry standards we’re still a very small shop, so requests to work abroad whether they’re in Oregon or Dubai, are handled with the utmost care!
For our most recent Detailing Day abroad, proximity was priority. After lining up a variety of automobiles and the most intensive automotive reconditioning ever thought physically possible for one incredible day only, we designated Matrix Integrated as our rally point bravo and got to packing supplies in the van.
Just ahead of us was 3 hours of driving and nearly 200 miles to cover in what turned out to be one of the hottest days on record history.
Good thing we brought fans.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Matrix Integrated is an easy spot to miss if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. It sits unassumingly tucked away right off SW Macadam Ave., looking like any standard old warehouse, lending a low profile to the German powerhouses that hide right behind the big bay doors.
Given their Bavarian specialties, Matrix Integrated was the perfect locale for what turned out to be a primarily German detail day. The stacked roster had us washing, waxing, vacuuming and wiping down a handful of Audi A3s, an A6, a beautiful Suzuka Grey R8, a VW Jetta, and a couple prized Porsches (including one from the Matrix Integrated stable, rounding out 8 vehicles in total.) Each vehicle scheduled was receiving a service similar to the one that preceded it (mostly Enthusiast Details with a few twists thrown in); so with our buckets soaped and rotaries whirring away we began a seemingly endless assembly line of detailing. To give our readers a better idea of the full experience, we produced a montage for your viewing pleasure – check it out!
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
First up for the day was a tastefully customized Audi A3 sporting a number of carbon fiber goodies, aftermarket wheels, and a killer set of red Recaro racing buckets.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
After a quick interior & exterior clean up, Myron breezed through the single stage polish and we moved the A3 back street-side for an after shot before pickup.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
The car pushing up the most factory power for the day had to be the Suzuka Grey “VEETEN” Audi R8. As you can see, Blake took his time finishing out the R8 making sure no spot was left untouched!
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
The assembly line was going full steam. Tag-team polishing & wax applications galore kept the whole process flowing smoothly and helped us to turn out results with ease despite the intense, dry, heat.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
No scratches here, just flawless paint with plenty of reflection & depth… your vehicle can floss this much gloss too — just take a look at our paint correction offerings!
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Here’s an example of the workflow in action. A Matrix Porsche & a white A6 are amidst their detailing treatments while a silver 911 waits in queue before Blake & Solomon can begin the reconditioning process.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Once the silver Porsche had been completed, we pulled the white A6 forward so Myron could start buffing it out.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Scratches & marring were pretty apparent with the little VW, easy to spot even for a car with white paint!
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
The size of Matrix Integrated is beyond deceiving. While it does seem to just be a rather large warehouse from the street, the interior houses a seemingly endless garage containing many an auto, from project cars to track beasts, and restorations in progress.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
While the team was focusing their efforts on the lineup, Danny sneaked off to the farther reaches of the Matrix Integrated to see what he could spot lurking in the shadows.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Turbos, Cabrios, Coraddos and even one lonely BMW SUV sat tucked back in the far corners of the warehouse just begging to have their legs stretched.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Since most everything we cleaned up was from the new millennium, it was nice to spot a few classics like this early 70s 912 rocking Bosch fogs.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Back out in the summer sun, Curtis started on the Matrix 997’s hand wash.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
Cleaning ’em is one thing, but working on ’em is a whole different animal. Only at a place like Matrix Integrated would you be able to see a fully exposed Audi 4.2L V8 from under the hood of an S4 sitting nonchalantly near a Porsche GT2 on a lift with the wheels off. Suspension upgrades? Beefier cooling systems? One can only begin to imagine what was in store…
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
As you can see from the time-lapse footage in the video montage, the final A6 was a full team effort. Everyone pitched in to get the car completed on-schedule & before the customer arrived for pickup.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
As we started to wrap up for the day and began packing the van, we made good use of the lingering heat by laying out all the wash supplies so they could dry out in the bit of remaining Portland sun.
NorthWest Auto Salon Matrix Integrated Portland Detail Day
With a journey ahead of us, the team piled in with some snacks for the road, popped Fast 5 in the dvd player, and settled in. It’s always a great experience to get out and do what we do best for clients out of state, and we’re already looking forward to our next detailing destination!
Are you a business owner, club organizer, or individual interested in an NWAS group Detail Day? Send us an inquiry with more information, and we could be paying you a visit for our next adventure abroad.