Mandi Brandon 7/25/17 Mandi Brandon 7/25/17

CGI Named Top Global Franchise By Entrepreneur 2017!

Press Release. Color Glo International Named a Top Global Franchise By Entrepreneur Magazine for 2017!

Minneapolis, July 25th, 2017 - Color Glo International, the world leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics, announced today that it was recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Top Global Franchises list. This list recognizes the top 200 franchisors that are seeking franchisees outside of the U.S., based on data submitted for Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® ranking. Color Glo International was ranked #106.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become when you achieve your goals.”

— Gary Smith

“The companies on our Top Global Franchises list are overcoming logistical challenges and cultural differences to bring their products and services—and their franchise opportunities—to people all around the world,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur’s 2017 Top Global Franchises were determined by adjusting the company’s Franchise 500 formula to give extra weight to international size and growth. Other areas evaluated by the formula include costs and fees, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Color Glo International’s position on the ranking shows that it’s a franchise opportunity with worldwide appeal.

To view Color Glo International in the full listings, visit https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topglobal and navigate to page 3. The list can also be seen in the July/August issue of Entrepreneur, available now on newsstands.

About Color Glo International

Color Glo International is the World Leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of Automotive, Aircraft, Marine and Furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.

Contact Us

Gary Smith Scott Smith
Gary@colorglo.com Scott@colorglo.com

Samuel Koza 7/6/17 Samuel Koza 7/6/17

How To Clean the Exterior of Your Car Like a Pro

When it comes to washing your car, its a love/hate relationship. But as simple as washing your car may seem, there are some things to watch for so that you don't accidentally scratch or degrade the finish. Check out these tips.

How to wash your car

When it comes to washing your car, its a love/hate relationship. You either enjoy your vehicle as a hobby and it is your pride and joy or you hate the thought of even cleaning a floor mat and just assume it rot where it sits. So here are some tips for the enthusiast to clean your car's exterior like a pro.

Are there general guidelines I should follow?

Yes. If you're in the category of enthusiast and washing your car is chicken soup for your soul, then you know there are some things you need to think about. Washing your car can be easy and enjoyable and regular washing helps a new paint job keep its luster. But as simple as washing your car may seem, there are some things to watch for so that you don't accidentally scratch or degrade the finish. Below are some basic car-washing tips.

Shade is your friend. Your vehicle’s surface needs to be cool. If the car is hot, the soap suds will dry too quickly, staining the surface and requiring another wash. Enjoying washing your car goes as far as doing it one time on your afternoon off.
Pre-soak. Pre-soak your vehicle to remove grime, bug shrapnel, and heavy contaminants like rocks, water bottles, McDonald's wrappers and bunny remains.
DO use mild liquid soap and a soft car wash mitt or some other towel designed to respect your paint job's luster. Renew your water regularly.
Patience young Jedi. Many times, we just soap up the entire car and get to work. Negative ghost rider - wash one section at a time, and then rinse it off. You should start with the roof of the car, then proceed to the hood and the rear. It makes perfect sense to go top-down rather than create more work for yourself.

Next, clean the upper quarter panels, then move to the lower areas, including the rocker panels. The lower area of your car will always have extra "stuff" on it and the longer pre-soak as you work your way down will help eliminate this crud. The top to bottom sequence is also important because you run the risk of having small pieces of debris adhere to the mitt or sponge which may scratch your vehicle.
Hose off your mitt! This is the toughest piece of advice because it is a human diligence requirement. We all want to just put the mitt or cloth back in our water and rinse it there while soaking up some more soapy water. This is bad! Always hose off your mitt or sponge before putting it back in the wash bucket to re-soap. Start with clean water and end with clean water. Dipping your dirty mitt into your bucket, just helps you apply the grime right back onto your automobile. If you've every wondered why the car is streaking while you're washing it, this may be your answer.
Rinse, rinse, rinse. Rinse your vehicle thoroughly and all over. When you feel satisfied and think you're finally done rinsing, go ahead and rinse it one more time.
Rims and tires. Your car washing drawer should have a few different mitts and cloths in it. We heavily suggest using a different mitt to clean the tires and rims of your car then the body. Using a separate mitt for the wheels will reduce the chance that you’ll scratch the car’s paint with brake dust and dirt you pick up from the rims. You'd be surprised how many people just use the same water and same mitts for washing and rinsing everything. You might as well drive right to the auto body shop when you're done.
Wheels. Ahhh, your pride and joy. Be very cautious when cleaning wheels, especially if you’re using a spray-on wheel cleaner. Wheels can be extremely hot if the car has just been driven or sitting in the sun. When you spray wheel cleaning chemicals on hot metal, the chemicals will vaporize and you will inevitably inhale them. Needless to say, this is not good for you health routine and depending on temperature and the chemical, you could cause some damage to products like Chrome or special coatings.
DON'T buy the pricey automotive cleaners. Instead, use a mild, liquid soap that is well diluted. This will accomplish everything you need, such as removing dirt, grease, and films without damaging plastics or other materials. Some people use household soaps but you also need to be careful to not use a harsh detergent. Stick to mild soaps and if possible find one that is safe for cars. The huge benefit is that it will cost you pennies over the heavily marketed auto detailing brands.
The drying process. Dry your vehicle immediately to prevent water spots. Chamois work very well and can help you move quickly through a vehicle that may have the sun on it.

What's next after I wash my car?

You should follow your wash process by waxing and cleaning the windows both inside and out. Applying wax to your car is like putting sunscreen on your skin. It adds a layer of protection from UV rays to prevent fading, as well as anything that may land on the paint.

You will be able to preserve your high gloss finish for a much longer span of time. You can find wax in a carnauba or polymer form. Both types of wax perform the same, but a polymer wax won't haze as it dries and can usually be wiped off soon after applying. The choice between using carnauba or polymer wax is similar to choosing synthetic or regular engine oil. A polymer is a bit more expensive but is easier to apply and some say performs better.

For the glass, the rules are pretty simple. Stay away from what you inherently want to do which is to grab Windex and other household glass cleaners. They can contain ammonia which can damage your car's window tint. Use an auto window cleaner for best results and wipe down twice to ensure the cleaner is removed. In a pinch, you can use a diluted white vinegar solution as it's a natural, low-cost, healthy household cleaner that should be fairly streak-free.

Last thoughts and tips...

Don't... move your sponge or mitt in circles. This can create light, but noticeable scratches called swirl marks. Instead, move the sponge lengthwise across the hood and other body panels. If you drop your sponge, rinse it thoroughly. Never reapply a sponge that has hit the ground or gone into polluted soapy water. Take that extra time to change out your bucket.

Maintain a shine. If you're going to lose sleep at night because the thought of pulling your freshly waxed car out to run an errand or (God forbid) go to work, then you may want to keep some supplies on hand to maintain your shine. There are several spray mists out there designed to remove daily debris and keep your wax job in top form. Toss this and a micro-fiber cloth in the trunk and you're armed and ready.

Headlights

For headlights that are sun-faded, full of crud, or just plain old, you can check out our guide on "How To Restore Your Car Headlights to New".

If your car is nearing that "vintage" stage or you just can't bear to part with it, but it's an eyesore, you may want to recondition it. You can read about the difference between detailing and reconditioning your car.

Samuel Koza 6/20/17 Samuel Koza 6/20/17

Should I Use Silicone Based Conditioners In My Auto Interior?

Top 4 Tips For Cleaning Marine Vinyl Interior

Marine grade vinyl is a type of vinyl that you should want in your vessel to withstand time, torture, and sun. The problem is that not all boats come with it. Check your sales guy.

Should I be careful when cleaning my boat?

Yes. Yes, yes and yes. You probably read our article on how to Bring Your Boat Interior Back to New, where we reminded you of the acronym B.O.A.T. ... But our Color Glo Specialists wanted to make sure you know the Top 4 Tips for keeping your boat interior in good shape.

You work hard to buy a boat and work harder to keep your boat looking good. You routinely put it in and take it out of the water, wash it, apply wax, and do your best to ensure it remains the boat of your dreams. Then it happens; one of our friends (hopefully invited) spills their adult beverage all over your well-kept carpeting, or they spill a cleaner or bleach on our vinyl seats and seams.

Proud boat owners know this feeling well and have learned to keep their watercraft "in the family" due to it. Boat ownership is exhausting as much as it is rewarding, so we thought we give you a few more tips on how to ensure your work pays off in the end.

Check your grades of marine vinyl.

Vinyl upholstery fabrics come in different grades, but this grade does not reflect fabric quality; it refers to the price it cost to make the fabric. You cannot find consistency in the vinyl fabric grading process because each manufacturer sets its own grades, much like tire manufacturers rate tires for speed without government or industry standards. So buyer beware...

Some boat interiors take a little more "TLC" than others...

Price grades range from "A" to "F," with the "F" grade representing the pricier fabrics. Rather than selecting vinyl upholstery fabrics by grade, choose the type of vinyl upholstery material you need according to its intended use.

Marine grade vinyl is a type of vinyl that you should want in your vessel to withstand time, torture, and sun. The problem is that not all boats come with it. Check your sales guy.

Cleaning your vinyl the right way

You might be tempted to spray bleach on your boat interior seats or use other harsh chemicals to try and mitigate some crude. JUST SAY NO.

Brenda from Great Lakes Color Glo in Michigan give us the scoop on great marine interior cleaning advice.

The process can be very simple if you take the time maintain your boat after each and every use. Just remember these quick tips.

Clean off the vinyl with a damp cloth first, removing salt, grime, dirt, and other debris.
Apply a thin layer of Vinyl cleaning material, such as the Color Glo Vinyl Clean that Brenda recommended above.
Rinse with fresh water, dry, and repeat as needed.

If you have deep mildew stains or other mold problems from improper care, a good firm brush may be needed along with a water/ammonia solution to break up the mildew growth.

How about UV protection?

Today, its a sales benefit as many people are aware they need UV protection - not only on their vinyl but our skins and everything else in our lives. The sun will beat your marine interior down and chew it up. So the question to ask is simply this:

Does my boat interior come with a high-grade vinyl that has UV protectant manufactured in?

If they answer is yes, then you're in really good shape by the time you've gotten to this question. If it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. You can still have high-quality interiors but have to use a Color Glo product to ensure your vibrant boat colors stay in check. Just contact your local Color Glo Specialist for advice.

Choose your personal UV block with caution!

What you put on yourself will transfer to your precious craft. Choose your sunscreens and sun oils wisely as some will stain or leave oily marks in your vinyl, which can be very difficult to remove. In today's market of more health-conscious consumers, your options for organic products, oil and paraben-free products and creams that boast not being greasy are numerous.

Choose wisely for the health of your skin and your boat's skin.

Lastly... Vinyl seats and covers on your boat are susceptible to drying, fading, and cracking. The sun, water, and regular wear and tear all age vinyl very quickly. Any vinyl on or in your boat should be regularly cleaned and protected to maintain it over the service life of our boat.

The worst enemy to vinyl is extended exposure to the sun's rays and dirt and grime/sand/dirt build-up. UV rays from the sun fade and dry vinyl out. Dirt and grime retain moisture on the surface and together cause the protective topcoat on vinyl to deteriorate, cause mildew or other mold problems.

The best advice we can give is to treat the boat like your own body. You clean it every day (hopefully) and brush your teeth. After every use of your boat, bring its livelihood back to new by brushing off seats and rinsing them, cleaning the interiors and exteriors and storing it with a cover to protect it from the elements.

Happy Boating!

Top 3 Questions to Ask Before Buying Leather Furniture

Samuel Koza 5/22/17 Samuel Koza 5/22/17

What should I ask when buying leather furniture?

How is the leather finished?

Long-term usage is the first place to start; what usage patterns will your leather furniture see? If you have children and pets and the furniture is placed in a high-impact area with food, beverages, etc., this may cause a buying decision. If your leather furniture is more likely to be the centerpiece of a luxury home or single loft, then you may make a different buy decision.

Leather is incredibly durable and if you know How To Take Care of Your Leather Furniture, it can provide many, many years of comfort and elegance. However, the right type of leather should be selected based upon how you expect the furniture to be enjoyed. As leather furniture repair and restoration professionals, Color Glo specialists often hear from their clients how their salesperson or designer never told them the leather would stain, fade, tear, etc. You can avoid these problems by asking a few questions and knowing your leather beforehand. Some of the best interior designers are also brushed up on their leather/fabric knowledge and can guide you through this phase.

Finished.

Leather that is both dyed and pigmented is referred to as "finished". Finished leather is colored with the same aniline dye as unfinished leather, however, these hides go through a secondary coloring process. A pigmented coating (which is referred to as "finish") is applied, that has undergone some chemical engineering specifically for leather. It allows the leather to breathe and expand and is very different from the pigment in say, a wall paint.

Buffalo Aniline Finished Leather

Buffalo Burnished Finished Leather

Pigmented leather finishes are opaque, creating a colored film on top of the hide. The color coating is then augmented with a clear coat forming its primary protection. This clear coat also dictates the sheen, from the scale of gloss to matte. High-end finished leather may not feel as soft and supple (or luxurious) as unfinished leather, but it will be able to withstand the high-impact areas of your active household. Finished leather is much easier to clean, and fades very slowly, providing years of beauty without notice of wear.

Here are some types of finished leather:

Aniline Finished: The most natural of finishes, colored mainly through the dying process, and light if any, extra finish is applied. This leather has a soft natural and luxurious feel. It is recommended for formal, light soiling areas only.
Antiqued: Leather that is finished with one color over another (usually darker over lighter) so as to create rich highlights and an artificially aged appearance.
Semi-Aniline: Aniline leather to which a matching pigment layer is added to even out the color and add protection.
Pigmented Leather: Leather that has been spray or roller coated with a flat surface color on top of or instead of the usual dye finish. The leather is usually pigmented to add durability and hide natural blemishes. This type of leather is uniform in appearance and very resistance to wear. Recommended for high wear areas.
Embossed Leather: Leather that has been "stamped" with a pattern applied by extreme pressure in a press to give a unique design or imitation of full grain characteristics. Sometimes leathers are embossed to make them appear to be another leather, such as embossing an alligator pattern into cowhide.
Hand Antiqued: Also known as "hand rubbing". The process of skilled craftsmen hand-rubbing a contrasting color onto the surface of the leather to accentuate the natural grain and embossing.
Oil or Wax Finish: Leather whose surface has been applied with oil or wax to create a soft pliable finish

Unfinished.

If you choose leather that is colored only with dye, then there is no protective coating. It is sometimes referred to as “pure-aniline” leather. The color of this leather is rich and deep and the dye penetrates deep into the leather. Often, these pieces are soft and supple to the touch, and the leather's natural beauty is accentuated by the dye, creating that feeling of luxury.

Black Corrected Leather

Nubuck Leather

Only the finest leather hides can qualify to be unfinished, so unsurprisingly, it’s the most expensive category. The downside, however, to unfinished leather is that is stains easily, can tear more easily and can fade in very rapidly in some cases. So the question remains, "What does usage look like in your home?"

There are only 3 types of unfinished leather with variations of what has been done to the surface.

Full Grain Leather: This is leather in its most natural form with its surface left untouched by sanding or buffing.
1. Full-grain leather can be embossed or dyed without damaging the natural fibers.
2. Less than 20% of all hides are suitable for use as full grain leather.
3. This type is expensive and is used only for the highest quality leather finishes.
4. - Full grains vary based on different origin, thickness, and tanning process.
Corrected Grain Leather. The surface of the leather has been sanded to minimize natural imperfections.
1. It can also be dyed and embossed with an artificial grain.
2. This is the most common type of leather used.
Nubuck. Nubuck is brushed grain sueded leather. It has been lightly buffed or sanded to produce a very fine, soft leather with a textured, suede-like appearance.

How is it constructed? Is the leather top-grain leather?

Budget is key, we know... Sometimes price just dictates where we land. Top-grain leather is will definitely be on the top of the heap when it comes to cost but it will be the most durable. So if your home analysis sits in the high-traffic category, you may want to justify the price of top-grain leather for your furniture.

Top-grain is the epidermis of the skin which offers the vast majority of the hide’s durability. Split-hide leather (leather “split” from the epidermis) won’t stand up to the test of time in an active household. As a lower grade it is generally more affordable if your budget is dictating it. If you want your piece to potentially last a lifetime, then you must save pennies for top-grain leather.

Construction of the furniture is also a key point. We've all owned low-budget furniture at some point in our lives and the first thing to happen is the frame starts to wobble and pull apart. Pressed wood frames, cheap construction, and poorly machined templates will equal a short-term saving and long-term struggle. Furniture solutions like Ashley and Ikea, though wonderful for many applications, are not the best solutions when it comes to permanently adorning your home.

Lastly, is it all leather?

You heard that right... is it actually all leather? Or did the manufacturer sneak in some vinyl? Vinyl has a handful of fancy name derivatives like leatherette, leather-mate, leather–match (and there are more) is synthetic. It is not the real deal and it won't stand the test of time like the real deal.

It's less expensive than leather, but it won't feel or wear like real leather. The durability will not be there, nor will the luxurious touch and fell of a fine leather furniture piece. And yes, you guessed it; some manufacturers will sip some vinyl into various pieces to drive down their cost.

So the key to buying leather furniture for your home is to know what you're looking at. With so many options, like every other category in life these days, you have to be educated on what you're spending your money on. Just remember these three questions when shopping for leather or when working with an interior designer and you should get steered in the right direction:

How is the leather finished?
How is the leather and furniture piece constructed?
Is it constructed of all leather?

Types of leather information found at Helvetia

Mandi Brandon 4/24/17 Mandi Brandon 4/24/17

COLOR GLO INTERNATIONAL NAMED A TOP 100 BY FRANCHISE GATOR FOR 2017!!!

Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today.

Franchise Gator just released their Top 100 Franchises for 2017 and Color Glo is listed among them!

Industry: Franchise

APRIL 24, 2017

At the core of it, franchising is about risk reduction. You join a franchise because it provides a heightened chance of success as a business owner. The Top 100 has been designed, with the assistance of The Educated Franchisee, to measure the quality of a franchise system over time. Rankings are mostly based on a formula created from various pieces of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that focus on financial stability, growth, transparency, engagement, continuity and sustainability. Hundreds of FDD's were studied this past year in an effort to bring you this ranking.

We also focused on evaluating franchise opportunities that fit the mold of what a typical Franchise Gator visitor seeks. That meant taking investment range and industry into account to create what we feel is truly a unique rankings list. So if you are looking for some of the more high ticket, recognizable names in franchising and don't see them, that by no means is a discredit to that franchise system. It simply means they were not part of our evaluation process.

Franchise Gator would like to thank the following people who's insight was invaluable and instrumental in the production of Franchise Gator's Top 100:

Rick Bisio - The Educated Franchisee
Eric Stites and Associates - Franchise Business Review
Thomas Scott - Brand Journalists

To view the Top 100 Franchise Gator Franchises for 2016 click HERE

To learn more about Color Glo international click HERE

About Color Glo International

We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries world wide.

Samuel Koza 3/24/17 Samuel Koza 3/24/17

Bring Your Boat Interior Back to New in 2023

Keeping your boat in tip-top condition both inside and out, not only will make you look like a superhero on the water but it will speak volumes when you're ready to sell it and upgrade to your 52-foot cigarette runner.

Marine Interior Restoration Guide

Spring is upon us and you may ask yourself, "how do I make my boat look newer than my neighbors?"... Vanity we know, but the truth is that many boat owners love to showcase their watercraft much like sports car owners do. Keeping your boat in tip-top condition both inside and out, not only will make you look like a superhero on the water but it will speak volumes when you're ready to sell it and upgrade to your 52-foot cigarette runner.

Your concerns, like many, rest with the cost of restoration. We all know the age-old acronym that boat owners pull out at house parties and dockside conversations:

B - Bring
O - Out
A - Another
T - Thousand

So, plunking down another thousand to restore the interior doesn't make sense for a lot of people. It’s a durable craft, designed to be used - use it. We're here to tell you that your two biggest concerns can be satisfied today. You don't have to spend your precious weekend hours learning to become a marine interior restoration specialist while missing precious lake time in spring NOR do you have to spend thousands. Color Glo specialists are speedy and have your pocketbook in mind since you're already down a few bucks.

Boat Restoration Inspiration

Just look at the pudding. The proof is in it. These are Color Glo marine restoration projects where boats have been brought back to life. Quickly and affordably.

BEFORE

AFTER

Boat Seat Repair can be done for marine plastic, vinyl, various fabrics, and upholstery. If you have cracks, rips, holes, scratches, fades, stains, or burns in your boat's interior, then restoration is a great option for you. Our professional mobile franchisees come to you, to repair damaged and dirty leather, plastic, and vinyl on all types of boats, yachts and personal watercraft, and even your 52-foot, cigarette runner.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Save Money and Time With Color Glo

Make that old boat, camper or RV look like new again! Color Glo can Restore, Repair, Clean as well as renew or often change the color of Leather, Vinyl, Cloth, Velour, Woodgrain, Fabric, Hard Plastic & Carpet used on Motorcycles, ATVs, Boats, Jet Skis, Motor Homes, Campers and much more!

Color Glo can restore all the interior of your beautiful and hard earned watercraft and recreational vehicles. Whether it be vinyl, boat carpet or even hard plastic, we can make the interior of your boat look new again. Who knows... you may even find our products make your boat look even better than new! Color Glo specialists can perform these services:

Seats and beds repair.
Boat tops restoration.
Engine enclosures restoration.
Mildew removal.
Woodgrain restoration.
Hard plastic repair

View More Photos

How To Avoid Boat Interior Restoration

Eventually, you'll need to either put serious elbow grease and free time into your boat or employ someone to provide boat restoration services. You can't avoid it, but you can prolong it. Here are some great tips to keep your boat in "like new" shape for yourself, for you drooling lake neighbors, or for resale.

Clean the Carpet of Your Boat. So many boat owners never think to clean the carpet of their boat after every use. Think about it... not only do we drag our dirty feet on it, but also drip fish slime, spill salted plastics, and scents, and of course, spill cocktails, food, and other "stuff" all over it. It takes tremendous abuse.
Clean your live wells! Your live wells are a breeding ground for the stench, stains, and the occasional manhunt for that unknown odor. You must routinely clean them for the health of stored fish (and the boat owners’ experience). DO NOT use strong detergents, bleach or other chemicals that can have a detrimental effect on the fish you place in there. You'll want to remove filter screens and such, but a nice baking soda and hot water mixture will work magic.
Make sure to clean boat bilges. Just follow your manufactures instructions, but this is something that can fail when you need it most if in an unkept condition. It can also cause a stink on your boat. That's no good for the weekend frolicking with friends.
Your console. For plastic and glass, simply use Windex or a similar spray cleaner. For electronic gauges, graphs, and other more sensitive plastic surfaces, use a vinegar-water mixture followed by a soft cloth. Presto!
Boat hull, outboard engines, and trailer. These items take an extraordinary beating from the water, the sun, and other debris that hits them at full speed along the way. A very simple thing that keeps your boat looking like new is keeping soft clothes to wipe the boat down immediately after use. When coming out of the water, use a hose or power sprayer to wash your craft and trailer thoroughly. Consult your manufacturer on types of wax or finishing products to give your boat that brand-new glisten.
Vinyl boat seats. Lastly, your boat seats get abused by your excursions, your family, and your friends. The sun also will wreak havoc on them causing them to dry out and crack, just like our skin. The opposite issue of mildew and mold can occur when the surface is not allowed to breathe properly. There are various products you can employ to condition your seats, even household cleaners like dishwashing soap can be great for cleaning them. As always we suggest you consult your specific manufacturer's brand guidelines to get the longest possible lifespan before you give Color Glo a call to do restoration work.

From faded and worn to brilliant and new. Bring your boat back to life with Color Glo.

Need a Color Glo Specialist?

Find a Franchise

Samuel Koza 2/20/17 Samuel Koza 2/20/17

Auto Reconditioning vs. Auto Detailing. What's the Difference?

What’s the difference between auto reconditioning and auto detailing?

Auto detailing is the complete cleaning and preservation of a vehicle. However, auto reconditioning takes that concept further. The definition of Auto Reconditioning is to repair, restore and renew your vehicle back to pre-accident condition. In many cases, automotive reconditioning is done on-site at your home or office, rather than in the high-cost environment of a body shop.

Auto Reconditioning. Color Glo International — Auto Reconditioning

Bring vintage back to life.

Dents, dings, bumpers, wheels, and "fender bender" repairs are all independent services that can be handled quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively without you being away from your vehicle or your business.

Auto reconditioning not only means fixing cosmetic problems for your vehicle but also can offer services that help prevent future damage. Examples of these services might be clear bra protection that helps keep scratches, chips and other debris from damaging your automobile's paint.

Auto reconditioning for resale

Separate yourself from the masses. When it comes to the resale of a used vehicle, auto reconditioning separates the players from big bosses. Most automobile dealerships that take vehicles on trade ensure that pre-owned trade-in vehicles are inspected thoroughly for mechanical and aesthetic problems before potential customers have an opportunity to see them. Reconditioning an automobile will help you stay ahead of the game and retain some value.

Today, now, more than ever, clean reconditioned vehicles and boats are selling at premiums. The average price of a new car now sits at over $30,000 - a price not reasonably entertained by much of society, so reconditioning is more popular now than ever. This is why so many used car managers are hiring auto reconditioning companies to perform various reconditioning services, such as headlight restoration, plastic trim restoration, cigarette burn hole repair, rock paint chip repair, vinyl and leather repair, carpet dying and odor removal services.

Consumers are displaying a preference for pre-owned vehicles. They also are keeping their new cars longer. TheFiscalTimes.com wrote an article in 2015 "Why Americans are keeping their cars longer than ever", which indicates that by the year 2018 the average age of cars being owned on the road will be over 11 years. Savvy auto traders know that auto reconditioning services will help increase trade-in and resale value for formerly owned vehicles.

Here's a list of some of the top new cars owners keep for 10 years.

Is reconditioning for you?

Yes. Here's a simple rule: Every used car and boat on the road or water is a potential candidate for reconditioning. In days past, the general attitude was that reconditioning was for vintage vehicles. With the continued increase in the average price of new automobiles and watercraft and the increased length of time that owners keep their vehichles longer - reconditioning your car or boat will only aid in your ability to either sell or keep your babies longer.

Color Glo International specializes in the reconditioning and refurbishing of automobiles, watercraft, furniture, medical equipment and more. Chances are that a Color Glo specialist is near you through one of our Color Glo Franchise outlets. Call them today for a quote.

auto reconditioning by Color Glo International. — Color Glo International

Automobile Reconditioning Specialists

Interested in buying a Color Glo International Franchise?

Learn More

Mandi Brandon 2/7/17 Mandi Brandon 2/7/17

Color Glo International named A World Class Franchise for 2017! - 7 years running!!!

The survey asked Color Glo’s franchise owners to rate their franchisor through a series of questions in categories such as overall quality, growth potential, support and communication.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2017

Color Glo® Certified as a 2017 World-Class Franchise®

By The Franchise Research Institute®

LINCOLN, NE (January 24, 2017) – Color Glo® has received World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute®.

The recognition comes after an independent franchisee validation survey conducted by the Franchise Research Institute, in which 74% of all Color Glo franchisees participated. The survey was designed to determine the quality of 10 key metrics crucial to franchisee success within the Color Glo franchise system.

"Using confidential surveys to analyze franchisee opinions is vital to building a successful franchise brand," said Jeff Johnson, Founder and CEO of the Franchise Research Institute. “Color Glo has relied upon our comprehensive, unbiased, third-party research to obtain honest feedback from their franchisees, in order to help maximize franchisee sales and profitability.”

The survey asked Color Glo’s franchise owners to rate their franchisor through a series of questions in categories such as overall quality, growth potential, support and communication.

Among the responses received from Color Glo’s franchisees:

99% gave a positive rating to the overall quality of the franchisor.
100% gave a positive rating to the overall communication between home office personnel and franchisees.
100% gave a positive rating on how the franchise business compared to the local competition.
100% gave a positive rating to the quality of products and/or services received from the franchisor.
99% gave a positive rating to the long-term growth potential for the franchise business.

"We are thrilled to be ranked once again among a group of esteemed franchisors - most importantly, by our own franchisees! The Franchise Research Institute truly is first class and the results they provide prove that hard work does pay off! Our franchisees feedback is overwhelmingly positive!" - Gary E. Smith, President, Color Glo International

Color Glo’s franchise satisfaction results are available at:

www.WorldClassFranchise.com/ColorGloReport

About the Franchise Research Institute®:

The Franchise Research Institute is a Franchise Performance Measurement firm headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. FRI is the original auditor of franchisee validation and does NOT sell leads or advertising. FRI’s World-Class Franchise® opportunities must demonstrate that they are endorsed by their franchise owners through FRI’s scientific, confidential, third-party surveys.

For more information contact: Mike Miller, Project Manager, Franchise Research Institute,

800-410-5205 or Mike@FranchiseResearchInstitute.com.

Samuel Koza 2/6/17 Samuel Koza 2/6/17

How to Clean Upholstery Tips and Tricks

Like many homeowners, you have upholstery all over your house. If you want your home to stay clean, beautiful and well cared for, then learning to how to clean your upholstery can be very important.

How To Clean Upholstery

Like many homeowners, you have upholstery all over your house. If you want your home to stay clean, beautiful and well cared for, then learning to how to clean your upholstery can be very important. Let's face it... no matter how careful you are with your upholstery and furniture, accidents do happen. If you have children and / or pets, then they happen more often than you'd like to admit.

Spills happen very quickly, and when they do time is of the essence. Even if you live a pristine lifestyle and never spill that glass of red wine on your furniture; dirt, dust, and general wear and tear will begin to show from regular use.

So behold, a "How To Clean Upholstery" guide to help keep your home clean and beautiful. The focus of this article is mainly on fabric upholstery. For tips on how to clean leather furniture or suede, you can read our article on How To Care For Your Leather Furniture.

Before Cleaning Your Upholstery Make Sure To Vacuum It

First thing is first; vacuum your upholstery. Over a very short period of time, your upholstery can begin to look dingy or develop spots or stains. Doing a thorough vacuuming will remove the dirt and dust which, when wet, can further dirty your nice chairs or couch. Use an upholstery attachment to get into all the cracks and crevices, and to thoroughly clean all the cushions.

If you have pets, then work to remove as much pet hair as possible. Sometimes, vacuums do not remove pet hair entirely so it may be necessary to get a pet hair remover product, such as tape rollers, Swiffer products or even the Bissell Handheld Pet Hair Eraser.

Image: www.houseforsix.com

Next, dust your upholstery with baking soda

You heard that right. Go to the pantry and grab a box of household baking soda and dust the entire piece with it. Remove the cushion(s) and dust those separately. You should leave it sit for at least 30 minutes, but if you've got some errands to run and can let it sit for a few hours then you'll be in a better shape.

When you come back, pull out the vacuum with your upholstery attachment and vacuum the piece entirely again.

Image: www.houseforsix.com

What Upholstery Cleaners Should Be Used To Clean Your Upholstery?

You need to know what types of upholstery cleaners should be used on your upholstery. This is largely dependent on two things: (1) the type of fabric the upholstery is made of; and (2) the type of spill or stain on the upholstery.

Upholstery fabrics can vary widely from wool to cotton, silk, acetate, linen, olefin, rayon and even acrylic (including blends of these fabrics as well). In addition, different upholstery fabrics have been dyed with different colors, in different ways, and the age of your upholstery should also be taken into account.

*** Very Important Note, if you have very old upholstery, antique upholstery or it is very valuable, I would suggest calling in a professional fabric restoration specialist.

Hopefully, you've followed instruction and not removed the upholstery's tag. The first step is to look at the tag for instructions specific to your piece.

The Secret Recipe to Upholstery Love

Now... we do recommend doing the above, but as a general rule from experts across the internet this simple solution is a sure win for most upholstered chairs and couches. Try this recipe:

2 Cups of Water
1/4 Cup Laundry or Dish Soap
Splash of Vinegar if you piece has tough stains or odors

Now grab your standard hand mixer from the kitchen and beat the mixture on low for 30 seconds to a minute until its frothy. It might look like that egg white frosting you put on your angel food cake. If you don't have a mixer that's ok, you'll simply shoulder therapy when you're finished doing it by hand.

Image: www.houseforsix.com — Image: www.houseforsix.com

Round up Some Help

Now, gather the neighborhood kids and get to scrubbing. The key to this mixture is to grab just the bubble and avoid the liquid on the bottom of the potion. Scoop the bubbles out with your hands and apply to the upholstery.

After you rub your upholstered piece down in the foamy bubbles, wipe the whole thing with a wet rag. To eliminate any lingering soap or dirt, rinse out your rag and repeat.

Place the piece someplace to dry that is out of the way (maybe the garage or basement). Replace any cushions after it has dried. You'll love your fresh and clean chair or couch as if it were brand new!

Need Professional Help With Upholstery Restoration?

Mandi Brandon 1/24/17 Mandi Brandon 1/24/17

Color Glo International Selected a Top 100 Franchise by Franchise Gator!

Edina, Minnesota - January 24, 2017 - Franchise Gator has chosen Color Glo International as a Top 100 franchise for 2017.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2017
Contact: Gary E. Smith and Scott L. Smith
Phone: 952-835-1338
Email: info@colorglo.com

Color Glo International Selected a Top 100 Franchise for 2017 by Franchise Gator

Edina, Minnesota - January 24, 2017 - Franchise Gator has chosen Color Glo International as a Top 100 franchise for 2017. The online franchise directory developed the Top 100 ranking as a way for prospective franchisees to identify opportunities with strong growth potential that are also affordable investments for the average franchise buyer.

Franchise Gator ranked Color Glo International as the number 40 franchise opportunity overall. The ranking is developed using a formula based on several criteria including financial stability, growth, sustainability, profitability, transparency and franchisee satisfaction.

“Each opportunity on the Top 100 list has demonstrated strong growth potential coming into the new year,” said Eric Bell General Manager at Franchise Gator. “Not only are these opportunities among the very best in the industry, they also offer a solid investment for the everyday franchise buyer.”

Color Glo International is the world leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of automotive, aircraft, marine and furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975, Color Glo began franchising in 1982, and is currently in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.

We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since expanded into Canada and over 45 countries worldwide. Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects (such as worn and faded interior components) including leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today.

We are thrilled and honored to be named a Top Franchise once again by the elite Franchise Gator!!!

Interested in becoming a Franchisee?

Learn More

About Color Glo Int'l.

After years in the automotive reconditioning industry, C. Everett Smith was not satisfied with the quality of existing products. So when he started Color Glo, he opened his own research and development labs and hired chemists to develop a proprietary line of restoration and repair products. Color Glo's original eight products have now grown to over 100. Color Glo franchisees use these products to clean, repair and re-dye leather, vinyl, fabric, carpet, plastic, fiberglass and other materials. They serve both residential and commercial customers, including the automotive, marine and aviation markets.

Samuel Koza 1/16/17 Samuel Koza 1/16/17

COLOR GLO INTERNATIONAL AMONG 2017 TOP FRANCHISES FROM ENTREPRENEUR'S FRANCHISE 500 LIST

Color Glo International was recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking.

Color Glo International Press Release

Edina, Minnesota – Color Glo International was recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Recognized by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500® places Color Glo International as #308 for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and brand power.

Color Glo International Top Franchise Award 2017

Entreprenuer.com

“We spend months gathering and crunching data in order to produce the Franchise 500 ranking. We’re proud of the result and the way it continues to be a resource for the franchise community,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur.“ Like every industry, franchising is ever-evolving and must smartly react to new technologies and consumer demands. We know it takes a lot to stay competitive, and are excited to celebrate those that do it best.”

“In order to reflect the evolving business world at large, we at Entrepreneur continue to evolve our annual ranking, too,” says Ryan Shea, president of Entrepreneur. “We’ve developed new ways to measure and analyze our collected data as new critical data points come into play. We take into account pertinent factors such as social media presence and financing availability, which have become increasingly important in today’s economy. The result is a more complete and relevant Franchise 500® that can serve as a valuable resource for our readers.”

The key factors that go into Entrepreneur’s evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. All franchises are given a cumulative score based on more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order.

Over its 38 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for entrepreneurs. Color Glo International’s position on the ranking reinforces its strength in the industry.

To view Color Glo International in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February issue of Entrepreneur available now on newsstands.

About Color Glo Int'l.

Samuel Koza 1/2/17 Samuel Koza 1/2/17

The Fascinating History Behind Leather Couches

The leather seat, whether chair or couch, also has a long and fascinating history. Did you know it has been present in homes for thousands of years? This blog post originally appeared on BuildDirect.com and was written by Anabelle Bernard Fournier

This blog post originally appeared on BuildDirect.com and was written by Anabelle Bernard Fournier

Leather Couches: A Tour Through History

Imagine entering a living room with dark, naturally-colored leather couches. The effect is immediate: you have a sudden desire to run your hand along its cool, smooth surface. The leather gives in under your touch and makes that squeaky, satisfying sound. Yes, it’s real. And you want to stay in this luxurious, inviting room forever.

Leather has been used for thousands of years for clothing, armor and even as material for building tents in nomadic tribes. The techniques for transforming raw animal skin into supple material that was easily dyed, sewn and worn or upholstered have existed for just as long. It’s an ancient art, full of history and traditions.

The leather seat, whether chair or couch, also has a long and fascinating history. Did you know it has been present in homes for thousands of years?

There is proof that the throne of Arabian rulers was made of leather. Sitting on leather was his privilege and a sign of power and wealth.

In Roman society, you could find in the wealthiest and most powerful patrician homes leather lounge chairs. The men would lie back in them while they ate, drank and conducted business, while the women would sit on regular plain wood chairs.

Because of the amount of work involved in making leather, the material was reserved only for the elite. It was very expensive, and possessing a piece of leather furniture was considered a status symbol.

Leather Couches - Medieval times to the industrial revolution

This rather long period of time sees leather used in an increasing amount of household objects, including chairs and couches. The increase in trade between Europe and Asia and the discovery of America brought new kinds of furs and hides to Europe, increasing the interest in leather.

However, the leather-making process remained tedious and expensive, and leather furniture remained a luxury reserved for the rich. You would find leather-covered couches in the households of royal families, kings, and noblemen. Ordinary people would still have access to leather in the form of clothing and small accessories, but the furniture was out of their reach.

The industrial revolution and leather furniture

We all know what happened during that time: new machines increased production, and new techniques made the fabrication of everyday objects easier and cheaper. People started to give up making their own household items, as they used to do before and started buying them from manufacturers instead.

Leather didn’t escape industrialization. Although some steps still need to be done by hand, the discovery of new dyes and tanning techniques contributed to an explosion of leather goods, including furniture.

During the 19th century, the leather sofa began making its appearance in common, middle-class households. The leather seat was no more reserved for the rich and influential.

The leather couch became a symbol of comfort and “homey-ness”; a home without at least a small leather chair or sofa was considered unsuitable for receiving people. The addition of new colors and new hides made it easier to use leather furniture in a variety of décors. And the Victorians were avid home decorators!

The 20th century

As the 20th century progressed on, technology advanced and trade increased even more between countries. The leather couch remained an essential manly piece of furniture, usually in the form of the man’s easy chair, where he would sit after a long day of work. Leather couches served as the center of the living room, where the family would gather to listen to the radio, and later, to watch television.

In the 1960s, leather couches became a trend. Clothing and furniture designers began to use leather more widely, and leather appeared in colors such as white and bright green and red. The famous pod chair often had a leather lining inside. A home was not trendy unless it had a leather couch.

Leather couches and furniture today

Since then, the leather couch has retained its reputation of a premier, luxury piece of furniture. Leather furniture gives an instant boost of luxury and comfort to any living room and is still perceived as a status symbol, despite its democratization and cheaper prices.

Today, leather couches come in a variety of colors not previously imaginable: pinks and purples and turquoises and oranges. They are now as versatile as fabric couches and will fit any style and any décor. However, too much leather can look severe; you can soften it by using throw blankets and pillows in complementary or accent colors. Or you can hire an Interior Designer.

Do you have old leather couches, chairs or leather furniture that needs to be repaired? Contact the leather and fabric restoration specialists.

Samuel Koza 12/22/16 Samuel Koza 12/22/16

How to Make Your Own Beeswax Leather Polish

If you want to take care of your leather aging leather furniture, or better yet you really love your leather shoes, wallets, purses, and boots - especially if you have a problem with boots... then you'll need a good, organic, home-made waterproofing and leather balm to help maintain your leather goods to last a lifetime.

DIY Beeswax Leather Furniture Polish

Leather, of course, comes from a once living animal. Just like our skin, it can dry out, crack, tear and have damage based on how its taken care of. You can use a waterproofing spray to delay the inevitable degrade of leather that happens through vicious cycles of wet / dry, cold / hot, etc. But eventually, your furniture, boots, purses or what have you is going to need some love.

Make your own leather polish & conditioner

If you want to take care of your leather aging leather furniture, or better yet you really love your leather shoes, wallets, purses, and boots - especially if you have a problem with boots... then you'll need a good, organic, home-made waterproofing and leather balm to help maintain your leather goods to last a lifetime.

Tools

Measuring spoons
Tins or cups for your polish
Pyrex measuring cup
Small pot
Small aluminum pie plate (optional)
Wooden spoon

Ingredients:

Beeswax - solid
Mineral Oil or Castor Oil
Coconut Butter
Olive Oil or Sweet Almond Oil

Step 1

Setup is really easy. Flatten the small pie tin and punch holes into it (if you opt to do this). This allows bubbles to pass through it and it keeps your preparation from burning (the pyrex sitting directly on the pan bottom could cause burning). Next, fill the pot so that the water just cover the pie tin by 1/4 of an inch. Then set your Pyrex cup on top of the tin.

Ratios. Ingredients are broken down into three categories; solid, semi-solid and liquid. The ratio of each depends on the consistency of polish you are trying to create. A safe mixture ratio would be 2-1/2-1/2 liquid to solid and semi-solid respectively, however you can change it up depending on your application.

If you want a softer polish (say for furniture), you can increase 3-1/2-1/2 or even as much as 4-1/2-1/2 however, I wouldn't go much softer than that. The more beeswax / butter means a firmer mixture, while more oil means softer. It's your choice really...

Step 2

NOW, Add the beeswax and coconut butter. If you need a measurement to start with you can use a one-to-one ratio such as: 1/4 cup of beeswax and 1/4 cup of coconut butter.

Keep stirring then slowly add your almond oil or olive oil (1/4 cup). It will cool the mix causing lumps so add it slowly allowing the mixture to re-melt. When it's fully blended, you can start adding the mineral oil (1/4 cup). It's a thicker oil, so you'll need to really blend it.

Image: homefarmer.co.uk — Image: homefarmer.co.uk

You'll need to keep the heat on your preparation for another 5 minutes or so. Make sure that is DOES NOT BOIL. If you see some steam rising from the mixture, you'll want to reduce the heat and continue to stir. If you think too much steam has gathered on the outside or top of the Pyrex cup, just wipe it off and keep going.

Pouring Your Mixture

Get your tins or cups ready by removing the lids and lining them up. Pour mixture directly from the Pyrex cup into your tins, filling them just below the lip of the container. You may want to find plastic cups or creative containers at your local craft store or dollar store.

That's it!

Now, just let the mixture cool down. This concoction will work on a variety of materials and is very long lasting. This is actually the base mixture for common things you use, like lip balm, oiled canvas, waxed leather and more. It really boils down (no pun intended) to the ratios inside your mixture.

Experiment. Have fun. Save Money. And if you need to clean your leather furniture first, then visit this post: How to care for leather furniture.

Just look how this boot cleans up with a little home-made beeswax leather polish.

Image: instructables.com — Image: instructables.com

Lastly, we found this gent over at Hands on History who gives us a nice video walk-through of how you can make this preparation yourself. His focus is medieval so he's a lot fun!

Samuel Koza 12/15/16 Samuel Koza 12/15/16

Save Time and Money with Medical Furniture Upholstery Repair

At Color Glo International, we have products and processes that clean and restore medical and dental furniture to keep your expensive assets from getting worn out. We save you time and money in the long-run - up to 90% of the cost of replacement.

Medical Furniture Upholstery Repair

When it comes to commercial equipment (especially medical and dental furniture) the cost of procuring everything you need to outfit your business can be horrendous. But that's just step one - getting the place in order. Daily use can very quickly wear the surfaces of your dental chairs, medial beds and office chairs. Replacing these items is often not very cost-effective and not typically in the budget as wear and tear appears at unexpected times.

What should you do...

Color Glo International can help.

At Color Glo International, we have products and processes that clean and restore these medical furniture categories to keep your expensive assets from getting worn out, saving you time and money in the long-run.

Examination tables.
Rolling stools.
Dental chairs.
Waiting room furniture.
Other medical or dental vinyl / leather furniture.

We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries world wide. Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today. See the MATERIALS WE SERVICE.

Medical & Dental Furniture

Color Glo Franchise operations offer advanced equipment, products along with tried and true processes in the industry for medical furniture upholstery repair.

The certified technicians at CGI can revitalize your examination tables and waiting room furniture. Restoration will enhance their natural beauty and strength, making them look and feel like new again. Since we're an international franchise operation, our skilled franchise owners will come to your location and meticulously restore and repair your vinyl and leather furniture.

Save time and money. Eliminate scuffs, scratches, rips, tears, scrapes, and color fasting that may happen over time. Color Glo technicians will restore, renew and re-dye all leather, vinyl and upholstered furniture. The cost savings can be up to 90% of the typical cost of replacement. Repair and restoration services are done on your watch and at your office or location so that your business keeps running smoothly. In many cases, repairs can be done same-day. There's simply no easier or faster way to address aging furniture that can look like new again.

Dental Chair Restoration by Color Glo International

Medical Vinyl Restoration by Color Glo International

Restore your investments

Clients and customers notice the little things. Minor damage can be a major factor in a patient's impression of your medical or dental practice. Let CGI's team of upholstery professionals repair, recover, re-dye and bring new life back into your exam chair and tables, stools, and waiting room furniture.

When it comes to cost-effective implementation, Color Glo International can help you save up to 90% of the total cost of buying new medical furniture.

Materials We Service

Samuel Koza 11/28/16 Samuel Koza 11/28/16

How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

Purchasing furniture can be frustrating as well as exciting for many people. If you're like most of us, when the time comes to make decisions, you begin to have doubts about your choices. This is pretty common with leather furniture. We've gathered up the best leather care tips to help aid you in your leather furniture buying decisions. Have no fear! Make leather furniture purchases with complete confidence.

The piece of leather furniture can really make a statement.

Leather Furniture Myths Debunked

Leather furniture gets easily damaged by children and pets. No. Your leather furniture is as safe as any other furniture in the house. For an added layer of "piece of mind", you can choose a protected leather for your furniture, which has an extra finish applied to it to make it extra-resilient to potential hazards. There are some dogs that think the couch is their chew toy and some cats that assume it is their scratching post. That is a different issue altogether. The later issue can be resolved by making your own cat repellant spray.

Leather furniture is too cold or too hot. No. You're basing your leather discrimination on your automobile's leather seats in a midwestern environment. Outside is typically either "too cold" or "too hot". Leather furniture indoors will remain pleasantly cool in the summer and warm to your body heat in the winter, with no harsh beginnings as your home usually comfortable inside. Our only tip may be to keep it out of the direct sun. The sun can both heat the leather up and make it uncomfortably hot as well as fade its character.

Leather furniture doesn't last. Negative ghost rider. Leather furniture (if bought at a high quality) is something you purchase for a lifetime. Since leather is a natural product, the process of aging brings out its natural patina. To some, leather furniture may age like a fine wine, bringing out deeper layers of beauty over time. Generally speaking, leather furniture is a sound home investment.

Leather furniture is only for rich people. No. Though leather furniture may look luxurious in many cases, you don't have to be a rock star to outfit your home with it. Even if buying at the top-end of leather furniture, you'll find that it lasts much longer than fabric and be a much better value for your home.

Leather furniture is too hard to care for. No. It's all in routine, just like your other household responsibilities. Leather is very easy to care for. You'll want to use a conditioner every 6-12 months and wipe up spills as they are occurring with a clean cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaning supplies like soaps, detergents, solvents, etc. These will only leave stains and dry up or damage your leather. Saddle soap? Only for catcher's mitts.

This brings us to the next section.

Tips & Tricks to Care For Your Leather Furniture

Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your leather furniture beautiful and easily cared for, for many years to come. ** Some leather comes with very specific cleaning and maintenance. Always be sure to consult the manufacturer's recommendations before following this guide.

In normal living conditions or what the manufacturer may consider normal usage, all that should be necessary to keep your leather furniture in tip-top condition is a regular vacuuming in the crevices and a dry cloth dusting to remove direct and dust build up.
Purchase a good leather conditioner (your furniture retailer can recommend one). Make good use of it every 6-12 months.
Like any upholstery material, leather can fade if over-exposed to the sun. Protect your leather furniture from sun, as well as outdoor elements.

Use a clean terry cloth to wipe spills and clean up messes.

Methods of Cleaning Leather Furniture

Just like bleaching your hair using self-tanning spray... always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first. You would hate to turn your plush burgundy office furniture blonde in one vigorous cleaning extravaganza.

For minor spots and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a blotting sponge or clean absorbent cloth. If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with clean lukewarm water, and let it air dry naturally. If you're using water, clean the entire area where the spot occurred.

Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water. This may cause more damage than the stain itself.
Do not use cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps, or ammonia water.
For butter, oil, or grease stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth, and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time.
If the stain persists, it is recommended that a professional leather specialist clean the leather to avoid any potential damage to the leather itself.
For minor or slight scratches on the surface, use a chamois or clean fingers to gently buff the scratch. If needed, moisten lightly with distilled water to work scratches out.
Remember that leather is a natural product and requires some care to maintain the natural beauty of the hide.
For cracks, tears, or punctures seek your local leather furniture restoration service to quickly fix the affected area and keep it from spreading to further damage.

Source: American Leather Furniture

Terry of Color Glo KC says "treat it like your own skin"

Interior Design & Leather Furniture

Many people can't wrap their head around how to design their space with leather. They begin to feel like their home may be too "woodsy" or too sterile. Understandably, you've probably been to homes or cabins where this is exactly the case. Those are byproducts of home themes, not good spatial advice.

If you feel like your loving that perfect leather furniture and you're now convinced that it's easy to take care of, but you just can't get your interior design thumb flexing, then hire a professional to help in your mission. We defer to a professional Interior Designer in Minneapolis.

Leather Interior Design in Minneapolis. CW Lofts by Tiffany Hanken Design.

Samuel Koza 11/15/16 Samuel Koza 11/15/16

How to Clean a Microfiber Couch

Many people send in requests or questions about how to clean their microfiber couch or sofa. Microfiber isn't for everyone just like leather isn't for everyone, but you'll have to make some sacrifices in order to keep your microfiber couch clean.

What is Microfiber?

First thing is first. Let's talk about what microfiber is and why cleaning microfiber furniture is such a pain in the tuckus. Microfiber has very thin strands that can be made to look like suede or leather. This makes it an attractive fabric for sofas and couches. Microfiber also is quite durable and repels water so it tends to be suited for furniture because your home can take a beating. Furniture manufacturers and salespeople however, would like you to believe that they are impervious to stains and an indestructible investment.

Its just not true... Microfiber couches look like suede, but the fabric is made of polyester and nylon fibers. These fibers are about 100 times thinner than a human hair, so cleaning this material can be difficult. You can leave watermarks in a hurry on your brand new microfiber couch, if you're not careful. However, cleaning with solvents or laundering cushion covers gets the dirt out without the unsightly spots.

And if Frankie the dog likes to wipe his face on your couch (we know he does), then you'll be faced with the below situation.

Before you begin

What type of microfiber couch do you have? Before cleaning your microfiber couch, make sure to read its care instruction tag. Microfiber manufacturers use codes to indicate how to clean the fabric.

W means you must use water based cleaning solution.
S means you must use a “solvent” based cleaner
S-W means you can use S or W type cleaners
X means you can vacuum only (so, no water or solvent based cleaning solutions).

Never use bleach, acetone, carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner on microfiber couches. If you are unsure about cleaning your couch yourself, schedule a consultation with a professional furniture-cleaning service.

And here's what you'll need.

White cloth or sponge.
Rubbing alcohol.
Distilled water.
Spray bottle.
Hard bristle scrubbing brush.
Soft bristle brush.

How to clean a microfiber couch

Your first step is to pour some rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spray it on the couch. Don’t be shy; spray on a liberal amount. Then, use your clean sponge or white cloth to start scrubbing.

The key here is to focus on one section at a time. It will make the job more palettable and you'll see the results of cleaning in sections. If you have visible stains (such as Frankie's drool), scrub hard until they disappear. You can always spray on more rubbing alcohol if needed. You should quickly see dirt lifting off onto your cleaning cloth or sponge.

The Aftermath.

Microfiber is finicky. Because of its fiber makeup, it will tend to harden after cleaning. This may cause streaks, runs or it may even be a bit "crisp". So what to do? The solution to that is to gently rub the hardened fabric with a soft scrub brush. You can use any type of brush really, as long as its not so abrasive that is damages your material. Pictured below is actually a horse brush! We're really looking to achieve the same result.

The special sauce...

Normally, most people would end here. There's an additional step however that proves to be useful for those who venture down the path of laboring over their own microfiber couches. Pour some distilled water into a spray bottle and spray it on the couch. It goes without saying that you need a NEW, CLEAN sponge or cloth in which to work into the couch until you can no longer see the water stains. The key here is distilled water - regular water will re-surface stains.

Allow it to dry, and then use the soft bristle brush again to loosen the fibers. Viola!

Image: www.lemonslavenderandlaundry.com — Image: www.lemonslavenderandlaundry.com

Samuel Koza 11/3/16 Samuel Koza 11/3/16

What is Acoustical Ceiling Restoration?

Painting your ceiling. This is a solution that many businesses, small to commercial, will entertain (or worse yet pursue) when looking to revitalize and refurbish their ceilings.

Acoustical Ceiling Restoration

"Restoration" refers to restoring something to its original condition. As a worldwide leader in ceiling restoration for businesses, we can speak confidently (first and foremost) to what ceiling restoration is not.

Painting your ceiling. This is a solution that many businesses, small to commercial, will entertain (or worse yet pursue) when looking to revitalize and refurbish their ceilings. Be very aware that this does not provide any benefit to the ceiling, to your employees or to your customers. Ceilings get dirty over time, specifically if they are in industrial or high traffic area. The solution is not to seal bacteria, grime and dirt into a petrified state above your heads.

Ceiling installation can be grossly expensive. The bulk of your cost will come with the suspension and T-bar system that supports your acoustical ceiling as well as the labor involved to custom fit it to your space. Ceilings can become dirty pretty quickly, so in our professional demeanor it begs us to ask the question; "why would you entirely ruin your ceiling with paint and DIY coatings?"

If ceiling tiles are dirty or even damaged from smoke and pollutants, there is no need to paint your ceiling and trap it all in. Dirt, discoloration and worse is just going to bleed right through your paint or coatings job, which by that time leaves no recourse to the painting company for correction. Save your company money and explore a healthier solution by restoring them with Coustic Glo International.

Bring Your Ceiling Back to Life

Once you make the choice to paint or coat your ceilings, you've likely just committed to a process that has a short-term solution to a very long-term problem. The Problem is this: the ceiling will continue to get dirty at the same rate that it did before. The paint or coating will generate its own layer of grime and dirt while the underlying layer of pollutants will begin to resurface. This leaves many businesses with a duly dark environment that is unhealthy and unproductive. Your option at this point will be only to paint it again, along with speaker grilles, diffusers, sprinklers, etc. These items are vital to your ceiling system and can be professionally cleaned to look like new. So explore the option of restoration before destroying your high-cost investment into your ceilings.

What is Acoustical Ceiling Restoration or refurbishing? Acoustical Ceiling Restoration is the process of restoring your acoustical ceilings to their original condition to look like new again. You'll experience an exclusive ceiling cleaning and restoration process which consists of ceiling cleaning products and equipment. A professionally done job will leave your acoustical ceiling tiles, ceiling grid T-Bar system, your sprinklers, speaker grilles and more looking and smelling like the day they were installed.

BEFORE

AFTER

Refurbish. Don't Replace.

Save your company thousands. Restore Your Ceilings With The Original Refurbishment Professionals. Coustic Glo International is the World Leader in ceiling and wall restoration since 1975. Today in markets around the world, Coustic Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test. The process of restoring our ceilings is up to 80% cheaper than replacing them and it's an environmentally safe decision as well.

What are the benefits?

Smoke & fire retardation.
Acoustical rating enhancement (sound is re-absorbed).
Brightens the workplace.
Offers a safer, healthier breathing environment.
Increases employee / customer morale.
Far less expensive than replacement options.

What ceiling items can be cleaned?

Acoustical Ceilings.
Hard ceilings.
- Vinyl ceilings
- Tile ceilings
- Metal pan ceilings
- sheetrock ceilings
- Vinyl rock ceilings
Walls (including brick, vinyl, hard surface and FRP).
Stainless steel hoods and surfaces.
Fluorescent light diffusers.
Light deflectors.
Chandeliers.
Window Blinds.
and more!

Are you in need of ceiling restoration?

If your business is in the midwest and you'd like to explore restoration, you can reach out to our Minnesota Dealership - Coustic Glo Midwest. Or you can contact them directly below.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

How can we help?

Tell us a little bit about your business's needs. How big is the project? How many rooms / buildings? What does your time line look like?

City / State

Tell us which city, state and zip you are in.

Samuel Koza 10/14/16 Samuel Koza 10/14/16

DIY Make Your Own Cat Repellent Spray

Making your own cat repellent may just be the best thing you ever do if you love your little furry companions. Most importantly, if your cat has its claws then she'll need to satisfy the natural urge to "scratch". So you might have a wonderful peice of new furniture, a wall corner or bed post or some other thing in the house that is precious and expensive to you - but princess has other ideas about it...

Deter Your Cat

In some cases, it can go a step further. Some cats (if left to live the "mouser" lifestyle) will take over your flower beds and garden areas as their own personal litter box. They may go as far as digging up your pride and joy.

Cats are very loveable and that can certainly cause a lot of joy in your life. But they can also become destructive. If you're spending the build of your spare time trying to eliminate cat smell off your shed, garage, the corner of your house or even the corner of a room in the house, then its time to deter them.

Cats do not intentionally harm things, it is just their nature to leave their scent and mark territory. Its usually the males that do this. Dogs do the same thing by urinating on just about everything. There are plenty of nice ways to tell your cat to "Step OFF".

Cat Repellent Sprays

You may want to try these homemade cat repellents. Not every home remedy works for every cat. You may have to experiment a little bit, but offering natural, healthy ways to ward off your cat's instinctive behavior is much safer and longer term investment than abusive scolding or chemicals.

Cats can smell (or detect odor) at about 40 times the sensitivity that we humans can. Making a natural cat repellent will rely heavily on a cat’s keen sense of smell. If you find that one recipe is not working, try one of the others. Cats are individuals with different likes and dislikes, and what smells pungent to you may just be his cup of tea.

First, get yourself clean spray bottle to earmark for kitty discipline. Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog — First, get yourself clean spray bottle to earmark for kitty discipline.
Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog

Recipe 1
Vinegar. Mix some vinegar with liquid hand soap and water in equal parts. Spray, wipe or pour over areas of concern depending on whether its indoors or outdoors.

Recipe 2
Garlic, pepper, and lemon mixed with water is another deterrent. Some people will add "hot" pepper to this solution but that may cause harm to your cat as "hot" solution are not cat friendly. If you decide to do this, add a very modest amount of "hot". A little bit can go a long way. Garlic needs to be crushed very well. Then let this concoction sit for at least 24 hours until its nice and ripe. Strain off the remaining solution and away you go with a powerful cat repellent. (Possibly humans to...)

Recipe 3
Rosemary. Plant this herb near where your cat(s) is causing problems and you should him take it to the street. Rosemary is a natural cat deterrent. You can also make a solution of Rosemary extract and water to put in your spray bottle.

Recipe 4
Grow herbs. To follow recipe 3, put in citronella, rue, rosemary or garlic and chives into an herb garden. These are attractive, and are natural cat repellents.

Natural, organic DIY cat repellent spray. Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog.

Recipe 5
A liquid herbal supplement can consist of lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and rosemary extract mixed with a bit of water. This is an excellent cat deterrent.

Recipe 6
Another liquid fusion can be made by mixing the juice from a green orange and strong coffee. This has proven to be a great cat deterrent. You can also chop or grind up citrus rinds, and use coffee grounds in the soil of your beds to discourage feline visitors from the neighborhood.

Recipe 7
Citronella oil is a homemade cat repellent that many people have had success with. Citronella is best known as a mosquito repellent, but cats find the Citronella odor to be distasteful. Simply mix one part Citronella oil to four parts water and spray liberally in the troubled areas.

** Disclaimer. Some herbs such as eucalyptus and citronella can be poisonous to cats. Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant. To keep your cats safe, use eucalyptus essential oil in a sealed container instead of fresh or dried plants if you have a fear of them eating the herbs.

Adding eucalyptus essential oil to your spray bottle as a cat repellent spray. Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog.

Recipe 8

Lastly, a recommendation from Mom4Real.com, suggest that the single best cat repellent is the following recipe.

Fill your spray bottle 3/4 the way up with water.
Add a few drops of clear dish liquid. It should be clear so that it does not color-stain your carpet or furniture. (This acts as a mixing agent for water and oils).
Add 10 drops each of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Lemon Essential Oil to the spray bottle. Replace the lid and shake well.

Its simple, natural and easy to make. Your cats likely won't be bothered by this at all and neither will you. If your experiencing a problem with flies in your house or even ants, this essential oil cocktail may solve that problem to. Go green before looking to chemical or harsh behavioral correction. Your furry friends will love your for it.

Pet Stain Clean Up

Lastly, if you have an affected area of your home that has withstood damage due to your pets, you have two options. Contact your local Color Glo franchise for fabric restoration. For extensive clean up of floors, carpets, area rugs and more, call a company like National Dusters whom specialize in Pet Stain Clean Up.

Photo: National Dusters Cleaning Company

Samuel Koza 9/30/16 Samuel Koza 9/30/16

How To Care For Leather Furniture

Leather furniture can be a large investment. Knowing how to maintain it is important in order to keep it in good condition for many years. Here are some DO & DON'T Tips for helping your leather furniture age like fine wine.

Leather Furniture Care Tips

Leather Furniture Care Tip 1

Avoid household cleaners like oil soap to clean your leather couch or chairs. Though they seem harmless and like a good idea, they almost stain and darken the leather. Another mistake many people make is mild soap, like dishwashing soap or other counter top soaps. WE KNOW, they great on your hands and everything feels nice but it can actually remove the color on your leather furniture.

And saddle soap... it's great for your son's catcher's mitt, but will wreak damage on your expensive, top-grain love seat.

Leather Furniture Care Tip 2

Soap and detergent. NO. As mentioned above, we can use mild soap on our skin because our skin is still hydrated and alive. Your skin can replace its own oils and do its own maintenance. Leather furniture will quickly become brittle and dry when using these products. Applying oil afterwards will only stain the leather and double the damage.

Leather Furniture Care Tip 3

Sunlight is also not your friend when it comes to leather furniture. As you know, sunlight can cause wear and tear on everything that you let sit in it for extended periods, whether that be months or years. If you feel as though you are too cold or too hot inside of a room, the so is your leather furniture.

Avoid extreme temperatures
Avoid placing good leather products next to radiators or air conditioners.

Leather Furniture Care Tip 4

Spills are the devil. If spills happen on your fine leather furniture, you'll want to blot them immediately using a clean terry cloth towel. If you don't have a terry cloth towel, then paper towels will work too.

Sometimes we like to eat on our furniture while watching the television or enjoying company. If you spill grease or oil on your leather furniture, use talcum powder or baking powder to help absorb it. You can also contact the manufacturer or your furniture or visit an upper-end furniture store that may carry a safe cleaner.

BEFORE

AFTER

Leather Furniture Care Tip 5

How to treat brand new leather furniture. You can protect it right off the bat with a professionally applied protector. DIY enthusiasts may also want to tackle this themselves with an after-market product. There are plenty of after-market products out there.

Our recommendation is to have your leather furniture professionally treated. If your couch or chair is older, you absolutely want to have a leather furniture cleaning service clean the furniture and apply the leather protector. This will ensure that you'll get the most mileage out of your new restored leather furniture. Check out these great examples of restoring leather furniture.

Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of leather furniture. Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize your home and save money. Contact us today for more information.

Original article posted at HGTV

Press Release. Color Glo International Named a Top Global Franchise By Entrepreneur Magazine for 2017!

About Color Glo International

Contact Us

How to wash your car

Are there general guidelines I should follow?

What's next after I wash my car?

Last thoughts and tips...

Headlights

Top questions about cleaning leather

Starting With The Basics

"In Our Opinion", based on experience

About cleaning leather interior

So let's get to it

Leather Care

Color Glo International specializes in leather cleaning and refurbishing.

Silicone dressing for automobile interior.

A few tips on auto leather conditioners

Motor On!

Should I be careful when cleaning my boat?

Check your grades of marine vinyl.

Cleaning your vinyl the right way

How about UV protection?

Choose your personal UV block with caution!

Happy Boating!

What should I ask when buying leather furniture?

How is the leather finished?

Finished.

Unfinished.

How is it constructed? Is the leather top-grain leather?

Lastly, is it all leather?

Franchise Gator just released their Top 100 Franchises for 2017 and Color Glo is listed among them!

Marine Interior Restoration Guide

Boat Restoration Inspiration

Save Money and Time With Color Glo

How To Avoid Boat Interior Restoration

Need a Color Glo Specialist?

What’s the difference between auto reconditioning and auto detailing?

Auto Reconditioning

Bring vintage back to life.

Auto reconditioning for resale

Recondition for Resale

Collectors and enthusiasts pay top dollar for reconditioned vehichles.

Is reconditioning for you?

Color Glo International

Automobile Reconditioning Specialists

Interested in buying a Color Glo International Franchise?

How To Clean Upholstery

Before Cleaning Your Upholstery Make Sure To Vacuum It

Next, dust your upholstery with baking soda

What Upholstery Cleaners Should Be Used To Clean Your Upholstery?

The Secret Recipe to Upholstery Love

Round up Some Help

Need Professional Help With Upholstery Restoration?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Color Glo International Selected a Top 100 Franchise for 2017 by Franchise Gator

Interested in becoming a Franchisee?

About Color Glo Int'l.

Color Glo International Press Release

Entreprenuer.com

About Color Glo Int'l.

Leather Couches: A Tour Through History

Leather Couches - Medieval times to the industrial revolution

The industrial revolution and leather furniture

The 20th century

Leather couches and furniture today

DIY Beeswax Leather Furniture Polish

Make your own leather polish & conditioner

Tools

Ingredients:

Step 1

Step 2

Pouring Your Mixture

That's it!

Lastly, we found this gent over at Hands on History who gives us a nice video walk-through of how you can make this preparation yourself. His focus is medieval so he's a lot fun!

Medical Furniture Upholstery Repair

Color Glo International can help.

Medical & Dental Furniture

Restore your investments

Materials We Service

Leather Furniture Myths Debunked