At Stokes Auto Spa, we believe that detailing is more than a job — it’s a craft rooted in respect, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This past month, I had the incredible honor of joining some of the most elite detailers in the nation as part of the Air Force One Detailing Project at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. The experience was not only humbling, but deeply affirming — reminding me why I started detailing in the first place and why our team at Stokes Auto Spa is so passionate about delivering the highest caliber of care to every vehicle that comes through our doors.
A Dream Years in the Making
I’ve had my eye on the Air Force One Detailing Project for years. It’s something I’ve admired from afar — a chance to serve history, work with true professionals, and preserve some of the most iconic aircraft in the world. But even after years of sharpening my skills, earning certifications, training under legends in the industry, and running a high-end detailing shop in Lindon, Utah, I never assumed I’d be chosen. When I got the call that I had been selected as a member of the 2025 Air Force One Detailing Team, it hit me hard. I was honored. Humbled. And ready to work.
Preserving History: The B-29 Bomber and Its Aluminum Skin
One of the most powerful parts of the project was working on the legendary B-29 Superfortress — one of the most important aircraft of World War II. Unlike modern painted planes, the B-29’s exterior is raw aluminum, which demands a completely different approach to detailing.
Polishing aluminum isn’t just labor-intensive — it’s an art form. It takes patience, skill, and a deep respect for the material and its history. Each pass of the polisher has to be intentional, and every detailer on that team understands that we’re not just shining metal — we’re preserving legacy.
As I worked the skin of the B-29, carefully bringing clarity to the reflective surface, I couldn’t help but think about the stories this aircraft holds. The hands that built it. The pilots that flew it. The missions it endured. It was a quiet, reverent moment. And I felt privileged just to be there.
The Crown Jewel: Air Force One
Of course, the centerpiece of the project is the original presidential aircraft — Air Force One itself. This isn't a modern Boeing 747. It’s the 707 that served presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. Being trusted to touch this aircraft was surreal. The aircraft has been under the care of Renny Doyle and the Detail Mafia for over 20 years. This isn’t a job that goes to just anyone. The paint is delicate. The finish is fragile. The historical value is immeasurable.
Working on Air Force One required coordination, communication, and complete trust in the team. We worked in sync — ladders moving, towels flipping, polishers buzzing — like a symphony of professionals, each playing our part with pride and precision. It’s a feeling I can’t quite describe — running a towel across the window where JFK may have looked out during a historic flight. Or restoring clarity to a surface that once carried the weight of decisions that changed the world. It’s not about the plane. It’s about what the plane represents. And being a steward of that legacy for even just a week is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
The Power of Teamwork
While this project involved some of the best detailers in the country, no one person could accomplish it alone. The success of the Air Force One Detailing Project comes down to one thing: teamwork. Everyone checked their egos at the door. Everyone showed up to give 100%. We trained together. We worked side by side. We lifted each other up when fatigue set in and celebrated each section completed like it was our first. There were veterans on the team who’ve been doing this for decades, and there were first-timers like me. And yet, there was no division. Only unity. I learned just as much from others as I contributed, and that kind of collaboration is rare. This team showed me what it means to strive for excellence without needing credit. And that’s exactly the kind of culture I bring back home to Stokes Auto Spa.
What This Means for Stokes Auto Spa — and Utah County
I don’t share this experience to boast. I share it because it’s a reminder of why we do what we do at Stokes Auto Spa.
When a client drops off their vehicle with us, they’re trusting us with something valuable — whether it’s a daily driver or a dream car. And we treat each one with the same level of care and precision that I gave to Air Force One.
This experience didn’t just validate my skills — it sharpened them. I brought home new techniques. New insights. And a new fire to keep improving.
Not every detailer gets invited to work on a presidential aircraft. Not every shop invests the hours in training, mentorship, and national-level service projects. But we do — because that’s the standard we hold ourselves to. If you're in Utah County — American Fork, Lindon, Orem, Provo, Lehi, or anywhere nearby — and you're looking for someone who truly understands the art of detailing, I invite you to come see what we do. We don’t just clean cars. We protect, preserve, and perfect them.
Gratitude Above All
At the heart of it all, I just feel thankful. Thankful to the Detail Mafia for the opportunity. Thankful to Renny Doyle for his mentorship. Thankful to the fellow detailers who worked beside me with humility and heart. And most of all, thankful to the clients and community who’ve supported Stokes Auto Spa since the beginning. This project reminded me that greatness is never achieved alone. It takes a team. It takes trust. It takes grit.
And that’s what we’re building here in Utah — one car at a time.
Behind the Scenes: What It Really Takes
Many people see the final result — a glistening airplane, a polished fuselage — but they don’t see the long days, the blisters, the sunburns, the late nights double-checking every detail. They don’t see the quiet conversations about technique or the team huddles in the morning before anyone else is awake. What I took away most from the project is that excellence isn’t loud. It’s not flashy. It’s found in the unseen moments — the second pass with the towel when no one’s watching, the quiet respect for the craft, and the willingness to learn even when you’ve been doing it for years.
That’s the kind of excellence we practice every day at Stokes Auto Spa.
Elevating the Standard in Utah
I don’t take it lightly that our shop has become one of the most trusted names for paint protection film, ceramic coatings, interior detailing, and window tint in Utah County. But this experience reinforces why we aim higher. There are many shops out there offering detailing services — but not all of them are grounded in the same commitment to quality, training, and customer care. When you bring your vehicle to Stokes Auto Spa, you're not getting a quick buff and shine. You’re getting the same philosophy, the same craftsmanship, and the same heart that I brought to the most important aircraft in American history.
Final Thoughts
The Air Force One Detailing Project was more than just a career milestone. It was a reminder that no matter how far we go in this industry, humility and passion will always matter more than accolades. At Stokes Auto Spa, we’ll never stop learning. Never stop improving. And never stop serving our clients with the same reverence and attention we gave to Air Force One and the B-29.
Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for supporting us. And thank you for letting us bring a little bit of history, pride, and excellence to every detail we do.
