Color Restoration and So Much More
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 we can be found 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.
Color restoration and more
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 we can be found 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 then expanded into Canada and over 50 countries worldwide. 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. You can learn a bit more about How RV Owners and Dealers Benefit From Color Glo.
A Little Bit of History
Since it’s beginning in 1975, Color Glo has become the recognized leader in the mobile automotive reconditioning industry. Founded by Everett C. Smith to address the growing demands, Color Glo has from the very beginning been the benchmark of this industry. Having been in the reconditioning industry for years, Mr. Smith knew that the existing products were not of the quality he would need to build a strong and successful brand. Although it was very costly and challenging, he decided that for his company, the only direction that would satisfy his pursuit of perfection and quality was to formulate his own line of exclusive and proprietary products.
Color Glo opened their own research and development labs to formulate the best products in this industry. He hired chemists that had strong backgrounds in new product formulation and research, and over a period of several years is team developed the original Color Glo proprietary line of restoration and repair products. Today the original 8 products in the line have grown to over 100 different and unique products. Each of the over 100 products are developed and selected to work seamlessly within the Color Glo system.
What We Do
This table gives you an overview of the materials we fix, where they’re found and the specific problems we can repair, restore or re-dye. We can find a solution for any problems that arise where these materials are found.
Color Glo Specialists
Our Color Glo franchises are located around the globe. In the US our 75+ franchises are all mobile units. They come to you! Color Glo's mobile-based technicians will come to your home, office or other location to repair damaged plastic, vinyl, leather, fabric and upholstery. Worn, torn, stained, burned, scratched or otherwise damaged materials can be restored to like new for just a fraction of the cost of replacement.
We are located internationally in over 50 countries. These are location-based shops, set up to provide complete and professional repair and restoration services.
You can find all our CGI International franchises on our website location finder under “Locations”.
Renewable Resources
A very relevant attribute to Color Glo is our commitment to the environment and our commitment to be a green company. Color Glo’s process uses specially formulated proprietary water based and environmentally friendly, non flammable, odor free products.
Our environment is a growing concern and special factors are often taken into consideration when a potential customer is choosing a company for repair and/or restoration. This is where Color Glo comes in. Special attention given now to these considerations can be used to our advantage highlighting the continued implementation and research Color Glo International Environmental impact of products (subject to strict quality controls according to ASTM standards) that led to the creation of color-based eco-friendly, water based, odorless and nontoxic products.
Our environmental policy is based on the belief that no one operates in isolation. Everyone shares the same earth, and everything we do matters to those around us. At Color Glo International, we put people first. The health, safety, and welfare of our customers, employees, and the people of the communities we serve are paramount. That is why we take our commitment to environmental stewardship seriously and have developed specific principles to guide us in our work. At Color Glo, we will ensure that our employees & franchisees have the training, skills and knowledge necessary to adhere to these principles.
Color Restoration and So Much More
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of vinyl surfaces, accessories and furniture. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore your valuable property. We offer an on-site service, safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize. Restore. Save money. Contact us today for more information.
How To Repair Cracked Vinyl
Vinyl is a common material for furniture that is easy to work with. It’s durable and comfortable, but over time vinyl can sometimes rip, crack or tear. This is especially true for vinyl chairs, which must deal with fluctuations in weight and friction. You may also vinyl in your cars or boats on the dash, door and other areas. Fortunately, repairing cracked vinyl is a process that can be undertaken as DIY.
Cracked Vinyl. What to do?
Vinyl is a common material for furniture that is easy to work with. It’s durable and comfortable, but over time vinyl can sometimes rip, crack or tear. This is especially true for vinyl chairs, which must deal with fluctuations in weight and friction. You may also vinyl in your cars or boats on the dash, door and other areas. Fortunately, repairing cracked vinyl is a process that can be undertaken as DIY. Of course, there are some professional vinyl restoration specialists out there too…
Vinyl on medical furniture repaired by Color Glo specialists.
How to repair cracked vinyl myself
You’ll need a few things to get the ball rolling.
Rubbing alcohol (optional)
Hair dryer (optional)
Iron
Cotton swab
Mild hand soap
Washcloths
Sandpaper, 320-grit
Vinyl repair kit
Vinyl is really nothing more than plastic (specifically polyvinyl chloride). Special plasticizers are added to make the PVC flexible and suitable for use on furniture. A clear topcoat seals the vinyl to keep the plasticizers in place. When this topcoat wears away or is damaged, the vinyl can crack. You see this often in cars, boats and and other furniture that have high-wear action. The solution is a liquid vinyl repair kit, and keeping your vinyl conditioned to prevent further wear and tear.
The steps to successful vinyl repair
Run the tap water until it is hot. Soak a clean washcloth, then wring it out until it's about as wet as if you are planning to wash your face. Put a dollop of a mild hand detergent onto the washcloth and navigate to the problematic vinyl area.
Scrub the cracked area with the soapy cloth to remove dirt, body oils and other contaminants. This is pretty important. Extend past the damaged area 1 to 2 inches so the repair material has something that it can bond to.
Rinse the cleaned portion with a new cloth. Run water over the rinse cloth to flush soap and contaminants, then go over the area again. Repeat the process until you are sure that all soap is gone. Wipe the area with a fresh, dry cloth and allow it to air dry until all moisture has evaporated.
Sand lightly over the cracked area of the chair. This can be scary for many but it’s necessary. You’ll want to extend about 1/2 inch past the damage, using 320-grit sandpaper. Just take a few swipes; you don't want to bore through the remaining topcoat, simply scuff it up to encourage adhesion. Wipe away any sanding dust with your dry cloth.
Mix the liquid vinyl formula, if necessary, as instructed by the manufacturer. Some products come ready-mixed in specific colors. Others may require you to blend the color with the vinyl, or possibly apply the color separate from the vinyl. Read the product instructions for further information specific to the type of kit you choose. If you call a Color Glo specialist, they will use our own products that have been developed to provide long-lasting repair.
Grab your small spatula tool, typically included in the repair kit, and dip it into the liquid vinyl and dab it onto the cracked area. Spread the vinyl in an even, thin layer across the damaged area and extending slightly past the crack. You can also wet your finger tip to smooth the area.
Apply layers if needed. This is where your hair dryer comes in. If needed, you may apply successive layers. You’ll want to feather the repair slightly outward with each coat to prevent a ridge at the edges of the repair. Allow dry time between each layer as directed by the manufacturer -- typically 10 or 15 minutes. Use your hairdryer now to speed the dry time. You should probably stay about a foot away.
Prepping the final surface. You can smooth the final surface only if necessary, with a cotton swab moistened with rubbing alcohol. Since alcohol is hard on vinyl, deteriorating the topcoat and allowing the plasticizers to escape, so use it with caution. Lightly rub over the repair a few times. That’s it.
Set a grain in place. Set a piece of graining paper over top of the vinyl repair. Heat an iron, as directed by the manufacturer, and slide over the paper for 30 to 60 seconds to emboss the grain pattern into the repair. Finish with a spray of vinyl clear finish spray to provide a new topcoat to your liking.
Done!
Vinyl Repair on an automobile dash below
Need vinyl repair vs replacement? Don’t want to do it yourself?
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of vinyl surfaces, accessories and furniture. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore your valuable property. We offer an on-site service, safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize. Restore. Save money. Contact us today for more information.
Color Glo International Certified as a 2019 World-Class Franchise
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Feb 04th, 2019 – Color Glo International® has received World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® for the ninth consecutive year.
Color Glo International® Certified as a 2019 World-Class Franchise® By The Franchise Research Institute®
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Feb 04th, 2019 – Color Glo International® has received World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® for the ninth consecutive year.
According to the Franchise Research Institute, to be considered, a franchisor must be transparent and offer access to every franchisee. The results must be comprehensive (70%+ participation) and responses must remain confidential… no risk for negative and no-reward for positive ratings.
“The answer lies in how existing franchisees rate their franchise as a business investment.”
The Franchise Research Institute® sent a study solicitation notification to all ninety-three (93) Color Glo franchise owners. The study was completed in January 2019. Color Glo personnel gave franchisee contact information to the Franchise Research Institute. The notification included the URL (web address) of the Franchise Research Institute franchisee satisfaction online survey and a numeric “passcode” to insure no duplication of responses.
Franchise owners were encouraged by Color Glo and by the Franchise Research Institute to complete the survey, and were assured that their individual responses to the questionnaire would never be revealed to anyone outside of the Franchise Research Institute (including Color Glo management).
Franchisees logged on to the online survey questionnaire, entered their individual “passcode,” completed and submitted the survey. Sixty-eight (68) of the ninety-three (93) total franchisees, or 73.12%, responded and took the survey. The Franchise Research Institute has no reason to believe that non-respondents’ answers would vary substantially from those respondents.
The maximum error range on this study is plus or minus (±) 3.7% at the ninety-five percent confidence level.
Franchisee Responses
Among the responses received from Color Glo International’s franchisees:
99% gave a positive rating to the overall quality of the franchisor.
92% say if positioned with doing it again, they would re-invest a Color Glo franchise and 93% would recommend to others.
98% gave a positive rating to how Color Glo handles opening support.
100% gave a positive rating to the overall communication between home office personnel and franchisees.
95% gave a positive rating to the long-term growth potential for their franchise business.
99% gave a positive rating on ranking their franchise vs. local competitors.
100% gave a positive rating of how the franchisee rates the overall opportunity.
“We are honored to continually receive recognition for all the hard work that the Color Glo family pours into our franchisees and the success of their operations.”
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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
mandi@colorglo.com
Want to franchise with CGI?
Color Glo International Ranked On The 2019 Entrepreneur Franchise 500
Entrepreneur has been putting together the world's first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking for four decades. This year's (the 40th annual installment) turned out to be one of the most competitive years ever with more than 1,000 companies have applied to be a part of the list. Color Glo International is proud to have made that list again in 2019.
Color Glo International® Ranked On the 40th Annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500
Minneapolis, January 17th, 2019 - 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 #227 for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and brand power.
Understanding the ranking
Entrepreneur’s 40th annual Franchise 500® continues to celebrate franchise systems with what is considered to be the world’s first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking with a proprietary formula to best evaluate the strength of the franchise opportunities offered today.
“We’re really pleased to have increased our rank on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 from 308 the previous year to 227. We are honored to continue to be recognized for meeting the 5 pillars of the franchise 500® year after year”
The five pillars of the franchise 500®
The key factors that go into their evaluation:
Costs & Fees
Franchise fee
Total investment
Royalty fees
Size & Growth
Open & operating units
Growth rate
Closures
Brand Strength
Social media
System size
Years in business
Years franchising
Support
Training times
Marketing support
Operational support
Franchisor infrastructure
Financing availability
Litigation
Financial Strength & Stability
Franchisor's audited financial statements
Before they determine rankings
The first step in determining the ranking is gathering the data. Beginning in July 2018, Entrepreneur asked franchisors to fill out an online form and submit a copy of their current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) or Canadian Disclosure Document. The response was impressive, with 1,094 companies supplying all the required information. Submissions were then vetted by an editorial team before being entered for data analysis.
To be eligible to rank, a franchisor must be seeking new franchisees in the U.S. or Canada and must have had a minimum of 10 units open and operating as of July 31, 2018, with at least one franchise located in North America. Each eligible franchisor was scored based on more than 150 data points, and those with the highest cumulative scores became the Franchise 500.
Color Glo International was also ranked amongst Entrepreneur.com’s 2019 Franchise 500 Ranking.
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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
mandi@colorglo.com
Own a franchise with CGI
Could Your Aircraft Benefit From Color Restoration?
There are so many questions to get answered. Let’s be clear, our portion of the conversation comes in after you’ve made your decision to mechanically restore or purchase a used aircraft that is in good mechanical order. Obviously when getting through this first step, there are so many things to consider like what type of airplane do you have or are considering buying? Is it flying or is it damaged?
Should I restore my airplane?
There are so many questions to get answered. Let’s be clear, our portion of the conversation comes in after you’ve made your decision to mechanically restore or purchase a used aircraft that is in good mechanical order. Obviously when getting through this first step, there are so many things to consider like what type of airplane do you have or are considering buying? Is it flying or is it damaged?
Next, in terms of the interior and exterior, does it need to be replaced or restored? In most cases, things can be restored which is where Color Glo specialists come in. We can save you thousands simply by using what is already there.
The restoration process
The restoration process on an aircraft can be rather elaborate. When dealing with companies that restore used airplanes for people that want them overhauled, it typically includes parts and replacements, upgrades and more. What we’re talking about here is reducing your cost to restore to new. What can Color Glo restore?
Cracked dashboards
Vinyl
Plastic
Leather tears, marks and worn spots
Light encasements
Door panels
Steering wheels
Carpet
Counsels
Cushions and seats
Restored aircraft armchair and rest
Our Speciality. Color Glo, together with Aero Interior Maintenance, offers services that are targeted at leather, vinyl, and plastic surfaces used for interior components of aircraft. These components would include aircraft seating, side panels and reveals, headliners, seat bases, window reveals, table tops, and drink rails. The industry uses many different types of plastics, vinyls, and leathers to accomplish both practical and maintainable surfaces but also to bring elegance to these interiors.
Cleaning and conditioning – Would include basic cleaning of built up soiling, newsprint ink or ink stains, removing simple scuffs, applying a final coat of leather conditioner.
Repairing worn areas – Many high wear areas such as seat armrests and upper back cushions have the actual coating wore thin or all the way through the actual finish coating thus exposing the actual leather to premature wear and leaving it unprotected from the elements. Cleaning, repairing surfaces, and re-dying with multiple coats of finish will bring these areas back to a like new condition.
Repairing & Re-dying of damaged areas – Many times faded colors, damaged surfaces from scuffs, scratches, and cracking can be repaired to a like new condition. This would include leather, vinyl, and hard plastics. These areas are then re-dyed back to an original color.
Color Glo Specialists work on-site to save you time and money. We come to you.
As you know, airplane and helicopter purchases can be very expensive so saving on the high-traffic areas is a feather in your cap. It leaves a bit more for the fun stuff and upgrades! A common question that people ask is “How long will it last?” It is simple to make something look good going out the door but the real value to the end user is often found months later after these surfaces have been used and cleaned by the customer. We cannot control how you clean or maintain these surfaces after they leave our hands but we feel confident that it will wear well and often times as well as the original finish. Our guarantee is that we will make you satisfied or your money back, no questions asked.
We have not experienced cracking, peeling, tackiness, the product coming off onto clothing, and the many other problems that many products cause. We take great pride in the fact our products stand the test of time again and again. We have a long list of customers who continually ask us to perform our maintenance on every annual inspection of their aircraft. They have found that routine maintenance can keep the appearance and condition of these interiors in a like new condition even though they may have thousands of hours of actual use.
Quality in Craftsmanship
Many companies have tested their products to prove that they will not alter existing burn certificates but what they haven’t done is create an FAA repair station that controls who uses these products, how they use them, and how they will qualify their work. This is called a quality control system. Using an FAA certificated system will assure that trained people are using these products, these products are traced from point of origin to point of use, and a quality control system is used to issue FAA approved paperwork to the aircraft owner returning the aircraft to service after the maintenance we provide is completed. Color Glo in correlation with AIM, use either FAA form #8130-3 or logbook entry forms at the customer requests. Rest assured that existing burn certifications will not be voided when AIM maintains your interiors.
Need help with aircraft restoration?
From private aircraft to commercial airliners, government or military, Color Glo is a market leader in the repair, reconditioning, renewal and color restoration of leather, plastic and vinyl in the aviation market.
Why You Should Restore Your Old Shoes
A man’s or woman’s shoes are a reflection of who they are. We pick from options like wingtip and stiletto amongst many other to define our character and walk with pride. In essence our shoes say a lot about us and you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune to get footwear that tells the world you’ve made it. If you have an old leather pair, (or even suede or canvas) a little effort and insider knowledge is all you need to go from tattered to dazzling.
How to restore old shoes
A man’s or woman’s shoes are a reflection of who they are. We pick from options like wingtip and stiletto amongst many other to define our character and walk with pride. In essence our shoes say a lot about us and you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune to get footwear that tells the world you’ve made it. If you have an old leather pair, (or even suede or canvas) a little effort and insider knowledge is all you need to go from tattered to dazzling.
Here’s a few methods and ideas on why you should restore your old shoes.
Hoard your shoes
Ok not literally, we’ve all seen the shows… BUT a great pair of shoes doesn’t come along very often. When chance has it that you’ve found that beautiful combination of comfort and style, your heart literally aches when you have to finally slip them into the circular file. Fortunately, whether you’re dealing with flats, sneakers, heels, sandals, hiking shoes, or even an old pair of leather shoes that you’d like to look new -you’ve got options.
Don’t buy new. There are ways to clean, patch, and reinforce your way to new-looking footwear, no matter what kind of shape they may be in. You’ll need a few tools and a good attitude and the party can get started. Those boots that were made for walkin’ can avoid the forsaken and abandoned.
Restoring leather shoes
If your old leather shoes have weathered rain, snow, water, sun and more then you are not alone; this is a common problem for men and women. That favorite pair of shoes will get beat up more than most. Over the years, even the best quality shoes can become a little tired-looking. You can carefully clean your shoes to transform them and it will also bring areas of repair opportunity out. Start with these tips:
Use a brush with soft bristles to remove all traces of surface dirt, dust, mud and debris.
Wash your shoes with a moisturizing saddle soap. This is actually good for the leather and will remove excess wax from previous polishes.
Stuff your shoes with newspaper and allow them to air-dry. Don’t put them near a radiator or in direct sunlight.
Once your shoes are clean and dry, you’re ready for the next step in the rejuvenating process.
Polishing your leather shoes
There’s no magic here. All you need is a tin of good quality polish, a little moisture and a soft cloth and you’re off and running. You know you love to display them as much as wear them, so go on now… polish like you’ve never polished before.
Wrap part of the cloth around your index finger.
Dip your finger in the polish and use your digit to apply polish to the shoe.
Cover a small patch at a time, working in a circular motion.
When you feel the area becoming a little rough, add some water. We recommend dabbing the cloth on a wet sponge rather than the age-old method of spitting!
Keep building up layers of polish, adding water as necessary, until you get a lustrous sheen.
Persevere until you have a smooth even shine.
Dyeing your leather shoes
If your shoes are badly scuffed and polishing looks like it isn’t going to be enough, you can use dye to restore them to new. With a bit of time and effort, you can even add some custom finishes like an ‘antiqued’ toe.
It’s vital to make sure that your shoes are completely free from polish, soap, wax or oil before you start, otherwise the dye will not be properly absorbed by the leather. You can buy a specialist stripper product to do the job.
So you’ll choose your color and have to remember that if you’re dyeing shoes you must always go darker. Brown or burgundy to black is fine, but it’s harder to dye black shoes a lighter color – the black will always show through the dye.
Chose your shoe dye with care – it’s good to read reviews before you buy!
Use a small, fine brush to apply the dye.
Apply the dye to small areas of the shoe at a time, until the whole shoe is evenly covered.
Allow to shoe to dry for at least twenty four hours.
Carefully re-touch small areas or apply another coat of dye if the coverage isn’t even.
Lock the color in with a good polish.
It takes some time and attention, but you can achieve a rich, vibrant brand new shoe if you are determined. You can also resole your leather shoes! Not many people take on this task themselves, though it is DIY compatible if you really want. There are great resources on Youtube to aid you in your quest.
Image source: parisiangentleman.co.uk
Restoring Suede and Canvas Shoes
Not every shoe you love is leather. You may have a pair of Vans or Chuck Taylors that are like comfort food when you slip them on. These can be restored as well to deliver a few more years of satisfaction.
Before & After Images found on instructables.com
If you really want, you can round up toothpaste, steel wool, a plastic scrubber and your utility sink. You can apply the toothpaste onto the steel wool and scrub the dickens out of the soles and suede/canvas. You probably won’t hurt it. This process can be repeated until the light of day starts to emerge and then rinse them under the water.
Do you have old shoes that need a little love?
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of leather garments, accessories and furniture. Our European franchisees specialize in restoring purses and shoes. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize. Restore. Save money. Contact us today for more information.
What Is Color Restoration?
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. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
What we do. Color restoration and repair services.
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.
We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries worldwide. 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.
Residential
Leather, Vinyl, Fabric, Carpet, Cloth, Velour, Wood Grain, Hard Plastic. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore, clean or re-dye your valuable property. We offer an on-site service safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Automotive
Pet Damaged Seats, Cigarette Burns, Seats & Door Panels, Dashes & Consoles, Vinyl Roofs, Sun Decks, Convertible Tops, Carpet, Ripped and Torn Cushions. Would you like your vehicle to look even better than when you first brought it home? You will be amazed at the professional quality of our services. We can restore, repair, rejuvenate , and re-color all of the above fabrics and interiors.
Headlight Restoration
Having trouble seeing the road at night? If you have old, faded, dull and stained headlights or tail lights Color Glo can restore them at a fraction of the replacement cost. In just a few simple steps Color Glo can make your lights crystal clear again. We offer onsite mobile service, so we come to you! This means less inconvenience for you; our customer. We will come to your work or home and restore your headlights or tail lights - on site.
Aviation
Our Speciality. Color Glo, together with Aero Interior Maintenance, offers services that are targeted at leather, vinyl, and plastic surfaces used for interior components of aircraft. These components would include aircraft seating, side panels and reveals, headliners, seat bases, window reveals, table tops, and drink rails. The industry uses many different types of plastics, vinyls, and leathers to accomplish both practical and maintainable surfaces but also to bring elegance to these interiors.
Cleaning and conditioning – Would include basic cleaning of built up soiling, newsprint ink or ink stains, removing simple scuffs, applying a final coat of leather conditioner.
Repairing worn areas – Many high wear areas such as seat arm rests and upper back cushions have the actual coating worn thin or all the way through the actual finish coating thus exposing the actual leather to premature wear and leaving it unprotected from the elements. Cleaning, repairing surfaces, and re-dying with multiple coats of finish will bring these areas back to a like new condition.
Repairing & Re-dying of damaged areas – Many times faded colors, damaged surfaces from scuffs, scratches, and cracking can be repaired to a like new condition. This would include leather, vinyl, and hard plastics. These areas are then re-dyed back to an original color.
QUALITY CONTROL. Many companies have tested their products to prove that they will not alter existing burn certificates but what they haven’t done is create an FAA repair station that controls who uses these products, how they use them, and how they will qualify their work. This is called a quality control system. Using an FAA certificated system will assure that trained people are using these products, these products are traced from point of origin to point of use, and a quality control system is used to issue FAA approved paperwork to the aircraft owner returning the aircraft to service after the maintenance we provide is completed. Color Glo in correlation with AIM, use either FAA form #8130-3 or logbook entry forms at the customer requests. Rest assured that existing burn certifications will not be voided when AIM maintains your interiors.
OUR GUARANTEE. A common question is “How long will it last?” It is simple to make something look good going out the door but the real value to the end user is often found months later after these surfaces have been used and cleaned by the customer. We cannot control how you clean or maintain these surfaces after they leave our hands but we feel confident that it will wear well and often times as well as the original finish. Our guarantee is that we will make you satisfied or your money back, no questions asked. We have not experienced cracking, peeling, tackiness, product coming off onto clothing, and the many other problems that many products cause. We take great pride in the fact our products stand the test of time again and again. We have a long list of customers who continually ask us to perform our maintenance on every annual inspection of their aircraft. They have found that routine maintenance can keep the appearance and condition of these interiors in a like new condition even though they may have thousands of hours of actual use.
Marine & Recreational
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!
Time and use have taken their toll on your once beautiful boat. You may be considering buying brand new vinyl or plastic seating or even replacing that great boat all together. Stop! There is another way!
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
And much more!
Medical Vinyl Repair
Refurbish and restore. Bring new life to old equipment and eliminate the costly expense of replacing important work center furniture and equipment with high retail alternatives.
Deodorizing
Whether your clothes or household items have a old musty odor to them from sitting in the trunk of your car, or to the annoying scent of mothballs; Color Glo specialists can remove almost all foul smelling odors with our deodorizing treatments. We neutralize and deodorize using environmentally friendly, biodegradable products.
Deodorizing treatments range from having virtually no scent, to fresh and clean scented garments, vehicles, furniture or any household item.
A professional service that will eliminate bad odors:
In homes
In Vehichles
In Boats
In Trailers
Commercial spaces
Commercial
Color Glo can Repair, Restore and Rejuvenate all your Office Furniture. Keep all your vinyl and leather office chairs for longer and restore them to a like new status. We do all our repairs on site which eliminates any possible down-time for our customers and keeps your employees happy and productive.
COST EFFECTIVENESS. Restored items demand higher resale value, increasing your margin potential if you're looking to sell them. Restoration also mitigates the very costly option of replacement and extends the life of your corporate furniture and office spaces. You will realize a huge cost savings when compared to the alternative.
On-Site Service
Property never leaves the customers site.
Convenient for our customers.
Eliminates customer downtime.
Your property is always secure.
Permanent Lasting Repairs
Specially formulated proprietary water-based products used in this market.
Non-flammable & odorless.
Dries in minutes and usable same day.
Are you a business owner in need of color restoration/repair? Are you an entrepreneur who would love to build a book of business offering world-class services?
CGI Named In Top Franchises For Veterans by Entrepreneur Magazine
Press Release. MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Nov 14th, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been ranked in the top franchises for veterans again this year by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.This list recognizes the 150 franchisors offering incentives for veterans to join their franchises business systems. Color Glo was ranked #83.
Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Nov 14th, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been ranked in the top franchises for veterans again this year by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.This list recognizes the 150 franchisors offering incentives for veterans to join their franchises business systems. Color Glo was ranked #83.
“We are honored once to make the top franchise list by Entrepreneur Magazine and serve our veteran community with unique opportunities.”
How we were selected
To determine the Top Franchises for Veterans ranking, Entrepreneur analyzed each company’s veteran incentive, the number of veteran-owned units, how veteran franchisees are attracted to and support by each company, and how each company scored in the 2017 Franchise 500 ranking. Color Glo’s position on the ranking is a testament to the company’s continued efforts to support veterans in their pursuit of the American Dream.
Hundreds of franchises offer some sort of incentive for veterans joining their system. But which ones truly offer the best opportunities for veterans interested in becoming franchisees?
To find out which ones offer the best opportunities for veterans, Entrepreneur invited those companies to participate in a survey designed to help them learn more about their veterans programs. From there, the ranking of the top 150 franchises for veterans was developed, taking into account each company's veteran incentive, how veteran franchisees are attracted to and supported by the company, and how each company scored in the 2018 Franchise 500.
“Veterans often make ideal franchisees, thanks to their strong leadership skills and abilities to work inside complex systems,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. "We’re proud to highlight the franchisors that best connect with and support veterans, as they pursue the opportunity to own their own business."
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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
mandi@colorglo.com
To inquire about franchise opportunities with Color Glo, just click the button below.
CGI Ranked in The 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Nov 1st, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been ranked in the 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018 by Insight Success. Insights Success is “the best business magazine across the globe for enterprises. Being a progress-driven platform, it focuses distinctively on emerging as well as leading companies, their reformative style of conducting business and ways of delivering effective and collaborative solutions to strengthen market share.
Color Glo International® Ranked in The 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018 by Insight Success®
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Nov 1st, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been ranked in the 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018 by Insight Success.
Insights Success is “the best business magazine across the globe for enterprises. Being a progress-driven platform, it focuses distinctively on emerging as well as leading companies, their reformative style of conducting business and ways of delivering effective and collaborative solutions to strengthen market share.
Selected from hundreds of eligible companies, Color Glo International has made the list of “Top 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018”.
The world leader, Color Glo International, specializes in the restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the automotive, aircraft, marine and furniture markets. The company was founded by Everett C. Smith. Everett’s son, Gary E. Smith, is now at the helm of the company. Gary serves as President and CEO and maintains a hand-on approach to running the company while continuing to build and expand the Color Glo brand in the marketplace.
“We are honored by this new and continued recognition for all the hard work that the Color Glo family pours into our franchisees and the success of their operations. ”
Color Glo International’s Insight Success article can be found at:
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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
EMAIL
Revitalize and Restore with Color Glo International
How To Care For Your Leather Jacket
A real leather jacket or coat is usually an expensive investment and can take a while for you to source or purchase depending on your tastes. Your leather jacket can last for many, many years if given proper care though. In many cases, you can wash a leather jacket at home if you follow the correct methods.
Wearing and Caring For Your Leather Jacket
A real leather jacket or coat is usually an expensive investment and can take a while for you to source or purchase depending on your tastes. Your leather jacket can last for many, many years if given proper care though. In many cases, you can wash a leather jacket at home if you follow the correct methods.
Know your leathers. It is important to understand the type of leather you are purchasing and to be sure that it is real leather. Many synthetic products can look very similar or in some cases, just like real leather, but the type of cleaning and care will be very different.
Types of Leather Jackets and Coats
Leather jackets (and leather in general) come in several grades and finishes and that makes a difference in how they are cleaned. There are the four most commonly sold types of leather and here they are:
Suede: Natural suede leather is created from the soft underside of a split grain animal hide. It has a gentle, nappy finish that is easily stained. There are always very specific care and cleaning steps for suede jackets. This is also true for accessories and furniture.
Nubuck: Nubuck leather is similar to suede in appearance, but it uses the top of the animal hide which is finely sanded and buffed to produce the very softest, velvety leather finish. The care techniques for Nubuck leather are similar to suede. The stain removal process often requires treatment by a professional.
Aniline: Aniline leather is a full grain leather that has been treated with the chemical aniline. This is the most common type of leather used for jackets and can be very durable.
Nappa: This is the cadillac or highest grade leather. Nappa leather is ultra soft and supple. It uses a full grain sheep or lamb hide.
Before You Wear Your Leather Jacket
If you want to keep your jacket looking its best for the long haul, be sure that the leather is properly treated with a leather protector. You can purchase leather protector products in both liquid or spray-on formulas. The protector helps repel water and prevents stains on the leather surface from water spotting and soil. You should really apply protector products on an annual basis. If you use and abuse your leather and wear it often, then a more frequent treatment may be necessary. Then again if you like that tattered “vintage” look as the fads would have it - then by all means beat it up! But if you’d like it to last, then follow a few simple guidelines.
There are several things you should avoid when wearing your leather coat:
Full Pockets. You don’t want to stretch your leather out and have it be forever unshapely. So a word of advice is not to cram your pockets full of "stuff" or carry heavy items.
Sprays and Perfumes. No good. Do not apply hairspray, perfume, or cologne while wearing your leather coat. You will dry the jacket right out from the alcohol in these products. If you must give an extra spritz before hitting the town, do it while sans leather jacket and wait for it to dry before putting it on.
Pins and Accoutrements. As you can imagine, your favorite Elk’s Club pin will leave a permanent hole in your leather jacket - unlike your cotton or blended sport coat. Never attach badges, pins, tape, or stick-on labels to leather.
Alterations. It goes without saying - have a professional do any size alterations or attach any emblems or embroidery to the leather surface. Holes caused by incorrect stitching or poking will be almost impossible to remove. Let’s call it impossible :-).
How to Clean Your Leather Jacket
Generally speaking, you can wipe away most soil with a clean, damp cloth if your jacket has been properly treated and protected. Some stains like ink from a pen or even mildew require specific treatments though.
You might find one fall, when pulling your leather jacket out of the closet, that the inner lining is soiled with body oil or perspiration. What to do? If the coat is expensive or brand new you may want to head to a professional leather cleaning expert. Not every cleaner has the credentials however to clean leather jackets. Check them out first so it doesn’t get destroyed. If the inner lining is made from a washable fabric, you may be able to simply clean it at home. The product will likely clue you in.
You should never wash suede or nubuck garments yourself though. Hand-washing is only appropriate for aniline leather finishes only. Before doing this, test the color-fastness of the leather using a clean, white, wet cloth on an interior spot of the leather. If color transfers to the cloth, the dye is not stable on the leather and you should not proceed.
If you decide to DIY wash your leather jacket at home, you will need to be prepared to devote several days to the process. Afterwards you’ll need to properly condition the leather to bring the luster and life back into it. Leather is much like your own skin. If you dry it out with harsh soaps, it will crack and feel stiff.
Hand Washing Your Leather Jacket
Empty all pockets (common sense right?) of the jacket and turn it completely inside out. Fill a large sink or plastic container with lukewarm water. Add a small amount of a gentle liquid detergent recommended for hand washing delicate items (Woolite is a good example). Swish it up and make it soapy.
Submerge the leather jacket completely and swish through to be sure the lining is wet through and through. Squeeze the solution through the lining and allow it to soak for ten minutes or so. If there are stubborn stains present, use a soft bristled brush to help lift those away.
When it is time to rinse the jacket, lift the jacket out of the soapy solution. Simply squeeze out the excess moisture - you don’t want to wring it. Fill the sink with clean water and rinse it out thoroughly. You may have to change the water several times to remove all of the soap and soil.
Once you’re done washing the jacket (or coat), turn it back right-side out and hang over something to air dry. Make sure to use a sturdy wooden or padded hanger to prevent creases in the shoulders. Obviously you don’t want to hang it in direct sunlight or neat a furnace or heater. It will probably take a couple of days for your leather jacket to dry completely.
The next step is to completely condition the garment until it is once again soft and supple. Be sure that you use a good quality leather conditioner.
How to Store Leather Jackets
Storing your coat properly will prevent many leather problems. Pull out that same sturdy hanger and store it in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Avoid any location that has excessive moisture-even a closet near a bathroom where steam may be present. If you are concerned about dust, cover the coat with a cloth garment bag or cotton sheet. Do not store your leather jacket or coat in a plastic bag that could trap moisture and promote mildew.
I wouldn’t iron if I were you…
Do you have a leather jacket that needs more than cleaning? Rips, tears or scratches?
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of leather garments, accessories and furniture. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore, clean or re-dye your valuable property. We offer an on-site service safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize. Restore. Save money. Contact us today for more information.
How to Choose the Right Colors for your Leather Furniture
Do you intend to purchase a piece of leather furniture but you’re not sure which color will perfectly suit your room’s needs? If yes, the various tricks on how to choose a color for your leather furniture discussed below will with no doubt be very crucial to your room needs.
Choosing the right colors for your leather furniture
Do you intend to purchase a piece of leather furniture but you’re not sure which color will perfectly suit your room’s needs? If yes, the various tricks on how to choose a color for your leather furniture discussed below will with no doubt be very crucial to your room needs. In addition to a leather piece of furniture providing a suitable place to relax, there are several merits that this piece of furniture carries along. For instance, a quality piece of leather furniture, such as couch, can make your living room more appealing to your family members as well as to any guest who visits you. In order to make your room pop it’s important to choose the right color for your leather furniture.
Look for Inspiration
Before choosing a color for your leather furniture you should browse through several interior design magazines to find some ideas on possible colors. Interior design magazines will give you some useful hints on selecting the right colors and provide pictures of different leather furniture designs which are currently trending. You can also visit several home décor shops and furniture stores in your area to see which color will best complement your home.
Consider Colors that Complement your Existing Furniture
One of the most appropriate tricks for choosing a color for your leather furniture is basing it on the colors you already have in your room. For instance, if you have a lot of blue in the room with paintings, rugs, or lamps, a piece of leather furniture that has a hint of orange can be a suitable addition.
If you intend to place your leather furniture in an empty or new room, it’s recommended you pick a neutral color in order for you to have a variety of decoration options to use when you will be designing the other places of your room.
Choose a Piece of Furniture that is Neutral
A neutral color for you leather furniture can be appropriate if you want the product to match all your rooms. Based on experimentation, a leather piece of furniture in a neutral color such as navy, gray, or cream will certainly appear great in any of your rooms. If you decide to go for a neutral leather piece of furniture add pillows or throws that match the color decoration to the rest of your room.
Matching the Furniture to the Outdoors
If the room you intend to place your leather furniture in has several windows, it’s essential you try to pair the color of the furniture with your outside greenery. For instance, if your room is located in a forested area, selecting any earthly tone color such as brown or green would be an ideal option.
Take into Consideration the People who will be Using the Furniture
Before deciding on a color for the furniture, take into account other people of your family. For instance, if you have kids or a pet, going for a medium or neutral dark color sofa is recommended so that your leather product will hide any potential stains. If you don’t have children or pets, you could choose a white or tan color since it won’t be as apt to get damaged.
Think of the Mood of the Room
The room you intend to place your leather furniture in may be used mainly for entertainment, relaxation or for any other activity. If there is a specific role you want your room to serve, ensure the color of the leather furniture is reflecting that purpose. For instance, if you will be using the room mainly for entertainment purposes, it is suitable you select a bold, bright color such as purple or red. On the other hand, if your room is particularly meant for relaxation, choosing a light, minimalist sofa color such as beige, or pale green is a perfect choice.
Put into Account your Own Personality
Since you’ll be seeing this piece of furniture everyday it’s wise to choose a color that best fits your personality and sense of style. You’ll end up enjoying the furniture more if it matches your design taste. People will end up learning more about your design preferences when they see the color you have chosen. The color of a piece of furniture can say a lot about a person and their feelings on design.
Considering which room you’ll put your furniture is also essential. Figure out the place you will put furniture and note carefully how the color you select may be affected by that location. For example, if you’re planning to put your leather furniture in a place that receives sunlight directly, the fabric of your sofa can fade over time. Therefore, choose a pattern or color design for your furniture that won’t noticeably fade, such as cream or gray. You can also ask your close friends or relatives about the colors they consider are most appropriate for your leather furniture.
This article was written by Nicole Jackson of House Tipster. She is very passionate about home improvement and interior design.
Do you have leather that needs restoration? Restore vs. replace.
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of leather furniture. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore, clean or re-dye your valuable property. We offer an on-site service safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize your home and save money. Contact us today for more information.
The Benefits of Refurbishing Fleet Vehicles
If you’re in the business of fleet vehicles, then you know that the unknown variable of mechanical, auto-body and refurbishment repairs can be devilish. They crop up at the least expected times and cause your vehicles to be out of service, thus costing you money.
Refurbishing Fleet Vehicles Works
If you’re in the business of fleet vehicles, then you know that the unknown variable of mechanical, auto-body and refurbishment repairs can be devilish. They crop up at the least expected times and cause your vehicles to be out of service, thus costing you money.
When fleet vehicles is your business, you either have an in-house automotive repair shop and auto-body repair shop or you have a list of tried and true vendors that work at your speed and budget.
But what about the rest?
Whether you’re buying a fleet of used vehicles or fixing up the ones with miles on them, you’re going to run into decisions to replace or restore. For many, restoration is not a consideration because the benefits are not second nature. At Color Glo International, we are experts in the business of fleet vehicle refurbishment and restoration for “the rest”. Your mechanical and auto-body repairs can often take a day if not only hours, but when faced with cleaning the vehicle up to make the driving experience good for drivers - the time out of service can be a bit lengthier, thus costing you money.
What does this mean for my bottom line?
Your vehicles not only need to run well, but look good and function well. Things tend to fall apart over time, headlights yellow, leather and fabric get torn, the dash fades from the sun, the carpeting gets worn out from foot wear.
If you happen to be in the business of tractors for semi trucks and hauling, buying used and refurbishing can save you between $40,000 - $50,000 per tractor when you consider refurbishing the entire tractor. Your color and fabric restoration from Color Glo can save you up to 70% of the cost of replacing fabric, leather and plastic items.
The professionals at Color Glo can help
Color Glo specialists come to you. We've been doing it for over 45 years and have built incredible relationships with fleet vehicle companies and their customers. All of our repairs are done on-site, meaning you can stay busy with your fleet in service while we get them ready to hit the road. You don't have to transport them anywhere, wait for the repair or lose precious time in sales.
Our franchisees can fix just about anything. With Color Glo, you can make one call to fix almost everything in the dash, seating, interior, headlights and some exterior paneling. We repair and restore vinyl, leather, fabric, plastic, and carpet to a like-new condition.
Think of it as a full makeover. If you're looking to sell your home, you may hire a professional painter to give a brand new feel and give the rooms a flow that leads you through the house. The emotional piece of spending money is very real when it comes to homes, cars, RV's and other items of large expense. In your fleet vehicles, Color Glo can dye surfaces like vinyl, plastic, leather, rubber and more. We can also repair and restore scratches, tears, and burns to new.
Putting a fresh coat of paint inside a home you’re looking to sell is one of the easiest ways to spruce a place up, so why not do the same for the interior and some exterior elements of your fleet vehicles?
Repair vs. Replace
Repairing and restoring the features on your fleet of previously-owned or in-service vehicles can help make the cost of replacement cheaper. In fact, it will be much less in most cases. You can expect to see as much as a 70% savings when restoring to new with Color Glo and you can extend the life an enjoyment of your fleet.
Are you a fleet vehicle business that needs an on-site restoration specialist?
Green Products Mean Healthy Franchisees
A major concern (and buzz word) in the market place today is the ability to offer green products or provide fairly healthy and safe service environments. A very relevant attribute to Color Glo is our commitment to the environment and our commitment to be a GREEN COMPANY.
Color Glo. A Global Green Brand
A major concern (and buzz word) in the market place today is the ability to offer green products or provide fairly healthy and safe service environments. A very relevant attribute to Color Glo is our commitment to the environment and our commitment to be a GREEN COMPANY.
Our environment is a growing concern and special factors are often taken into consideration when a potential customer is choosing a company for repair and/or restoration. This is where Color Glo comes in. Special attention given now to these considerations can be used to our advantage highlighting the continued implementation and research Color Glo International Environmental impact of products (subject to strict quality controls according to ASTM standards) that led to the creation of color-based eco-friendly, water based, odorless and nontoxic products.
The Color Glo Process
Our Process uses specially formulated, proprietary products that are made in the USA. Color Glo re-conditioned items dry in minutes which allows the customer to use their investment almost immediately.
Our environment is a growing concern and special factors are often taken into consideration when a potential customer is choosing a company for repair and or restoration. This is where Color Glo comes in. At Color Glo, special attention is given to these considerations by the continued implementation and research Color Glo International Environmental impact of our products (subject to strict quality controls according to ASTM standards) that led to the creation of color-based eco-friendly products. Color Glo follows all guidelines set forth by the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and every product SDS that implements specific procedures based on their recommendations for clean-up and disposal. Requirements set forth by the Federal, State and Local Governments are followed.
Our products must be safe for use in family environments. Our franchisees are working in your home, your vehicles and your space. Color Glo makes it a top priority to use pet and child friendly products in their everyday operations.
Our Policy
Our environmental policy is based on the belief that no one operates in isolation. Everyone shares the same earth, and everything we do matters to those around us. At Color Glo International, we put people first. The health, safety, and welfare of our customers, employees, and the people of the communities we serve are paramount. That is why we take our commitment to environmental stewardship seriously and have developed specific principles to guide us in our work. At Color Glo, we will ensure that our employees & franchisees have the training, skills and knowledge necessary to adhere to these principles.
Environmentally Friendly Products
Safe to Use in Your Home, Office and Much More!
Are you looking for furniture, or automotive interior restoration? Color Glo International is environment friendly and uses water based products that are easy to apply, durable, and safe to use in your home or office. Our special water based formulas deliver extraordinary results from our professionally trained team of Color Glo Specialists across our global franchise locations.
Contact us today to find your local Color Glo location.
Whether you’re looking to join a healthy color restoration franchise team, or hire one… Color Glo International is the best choice!
Preparing Your Boat For Winter
Winterizing your boat. Some may not realize it, but winter “time off” can be especially hard on your boat. Extended periods of inactivity will accelerate wear and tear and can contribute to breakdowns in the next boating season. If left unchecked, corrosion and rust can spread extensively and moisture can intrude and freezer during the winter.
Winterizing your boat
Like anything in life, preparation is the key to success in your endeavors. Boat ownership is possibly one of the most important things you can ever put preparation into place for.
Some may not realize it, but winter “time off” can be especially hard on your boat. Extended periods of inactivity will accelerate wear and tear and can contribute to breakdowns in the next boating season. If left unchecked, corrosion and rust can spread extensively and moisture can intrude and freeze during the winter. Lubrication can congeal and basic neglect can really take its roots over the long, cold months. If you don't take the time to get your boat ready for winter, it may come back to haunt you when you're itching to hit the water again.
For these reasons, it’s vitally important to get your boat ready for that “long winter’s nap” with a proper autumn lay-up. Even if you don’t live in a place where the waters freeze and the snow piles deep on the ground, following some basic tips will keep your boat “ship shape” and ready for action after an extended period of storage.
Is this you.... It might go well when April/May arrives.
Keep your boat clean
Seems basic but it's hard to do for many. A clean boat will weather the time of winter storage better and will reduce the work necessary when the time comes to take her out again.
Wash the topsides, bottom, and deck (with a coat of wax on the topsides too) and clean all hardware and trim.
Check for any blistering in fiberglass boats, especially for boats that spend extended periods in the water. If any blisters are found, treat and repair these problems.
Don’t forget to clean windscreens as well as any bi-mini tops, spray hoods and the like.
Let all canvas dry thoroughly before neatly storing these away. If possible, remove all canvas from the boat and store indoors.
Some parts of your boat should be drained, where moisture can cause corrosion during these winter months.
Drain the gear case and watch for water intrusion. This can cause gear oil to look milky or discolored. If moisture is present you may have leaky seals.
Completely drain any fresh water tanks and the hot water heater.
Open seacocks to allow any water to drain.
Drain all water from the engine.
Check bilges and remove any standing water, dirt, and oil
A boat that starts its winter holiday clean will help keep dirt and corrosion from getting a foothold and will be much quicker to get ready in spring.
Prepare the fuel system
Top off your fuel tank to avoid build-up of condensation over the months of storage. Change the fuel filter at the end of the season. Add a marine fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank as per instructions to reduce the build-up of gum and varnish, and to keep the fuel and entire fuel system clean during storage. After adding stabilizer to the tank, run the engine for a few minutes to ensure it circulates through the system.
Take care of the engine
It also seems like common sense, but most of these maintenance tasks are simply overlooked due to timing or life events. How many times have you skipped your daily workout or not brushed your teeth before bedtime. They all lead to degradation - the same goes for your boat. There are products out there formulated to leave a protective chemical film over internal engine surfaces without leaving a greasy residue or causing smoke when the engine is re-started. It’s also a good idea to spray fogging oil on a soft rag and apply a light coat to visible areas of the engine exterior. We can't give you specifics on how to treat your engine as your manufacturer and reseller probably have brand-specific instructions, so check with them or take it in to be winterized.
Pressure wash the entire hull and running gear. Blast off barnacles and other growth on your shafts, props, rudders, struts and everything else on the lower unit. Clean the topsides, deck and lower unit with soap and water. Wax the deck. Check for blisters on the hull, and should it the hull need it, wax or sand and paint it at this time.
Check for leaks – keep an eye on the strainer, valve or seacocks, or any other areas where you may recall a leak occurring.
Other liquids to flush, change or add
Certain systems on your boat will require flushing and liquids such as fuel, oil and antifreeze should be changed or added.
Thoroughly flush your cooling system with warm fresh water in order to remove any salt, dirt or corrosion.
Change the engine oil and oil filter after the engine has been slightly warmed up in order to help flush out sediment and impurities with the discarded oil. Refill the engine with the appropriate oil recommended by your boat’s manufacturer. Change transmission fluid as well.
As mentioned above, use fogging oil to protect the engine against rust and corrosion. Spray it into the air intakes while the engine is running. Remove spark plugs and spray into each cylinder. Also, spray fogging oil onto a soft rag and apply to the visible areas of the engine exterior.
Run antifreeze into the cooling system and engine by using an intake hose to the water pump. Start the engine and run the antifreeze until it exits the exhaust. Run non-toxic antifreeze through your freshwater system, including shower, faucets, and any wash-down areas until you see the antifreeze coming out. Put non-toxic antifreeze in the water heater as well.
Take care of your batteries
Your batteries also need to survive the winter. You'll want to keep them with a healthy charge so they are ready to go and provide long battery life for you.
It may be best to unplug your battery charger and test the charge on your batteries once a month. If you see the charge drop below 75%, plug in the battery charger, and top off your batteries with a full charge over night. In the morning, once fully charged, disconnect from the power. Repeat this step next month.
If you’re in an area where freezing occurs, it’s best to remove batteries entirely from your boat, and store in your home or some other warmer place. Get a portable charger to keep your batteries healthy during the winter with a periodic charge.
You'll also want to remove all electronics, fire extinguishers and other valuables from the boat. Obviously, you'll avoid losing them but it will also keep them safe from moisture damage, freezing or other damage that may occur.
How about the vinyl and surfaces?
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. ...
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. Read our article "Top 4 Tips For Cleaning Marine Vinyl Interior" to really snap your boat into shape before the winter season.
And when springtime rolls around again, pull out this article "It's time to unleash the boat and repair" if restoration wasn't in your winter budget at the time.
Need help restoring areas of your boat or some advice on winterzing. Call a Color Glo Specialist.
How To Remove Pet Odor From Your Furniture
We all love to cuddle with our pets, whether that be dogs, cats, rabbits, or anything with fur. The days when pets were simply working companions are gone and in almost every circumstance the idea of the pet living outside is eradicated. The family is family.
We all love to cuddle with our pets, whether that be dogs, cats, rabbits, or anything with fur. The days when pets were simply working companions are gone and in almost every circumstance the idea of the pet living outside is eradicated. The family is family. Not only do our pets cuddle with us on the sofa or our favorite chair to watch TV, but they snuggle with us in our beds, go on long holiday trips and even out to dinner at our favorite dog-friendly restaurants.
All of this one-on-one time means that all of our furnishings are going to hold the distinct smell of dog (or cat or whatever), and even the most rabid of dog lovers amongst us may not want the whole house to smell of a dog that needs a good washing. This is specifically true if we want to enjoy the company of human guests. So let's focus on dogs because they tend to have smells... How do you get rid of that smelly dog smell? It's actually pretty easy.
How to Eliminate Dog Odor
First thing is first - you have to start out by taking all of the furniture apart – pillows, blankets, etc. then vacuum everything thoroughly. If the sofa and chairs have removable slipcovers or cushion covers, take those off for washing. You'll have to get into the crevices of the furniture as deep as possible to remove all the hair and flip the bed mattress to get both sides. On the floors, make sure to get under all of the furniture and in the corners, where “hair bunnies” tend to gather.
Image: pliantalliance.org
How to remove pet odor from carpets and furniture
Next, gather your deodorizing supplies to work on removing pet odor from carpets, furniture, and beds. It’s really pretty simple; all you need is a big box or two of baking soda and a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Wash all of your linens, blankets and cushion covers in a mix of oxy powered laundry detergent and a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. There are also pet odor removers available at pet supply stores, but the home remedy works just fine.
On the carpets, bed and furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally, using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Let it all sit overnight so that the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odors. For the bed, you might want to do this in the morning so that you can clean and remake the bed at the end of the day. Follow up by vacuuming all of the baking soda from the bed, carpet, and furnishings and returning the bed linens and cushion covers or slipcovers to the furniture.
This will get rid of a great deal of the smell, but to really do a thorough job, you might want to rent a carpet cleaning machine with an attachment for furniture – or call a cleaning company to do it for you. Always start with neutralizing as much of the smell as possible before the shampooing, though, or all you will be doing is creating a hybrid of dog smell and perfumed shampoo. Not a good combination. And don’t use carpet shampoo on the furniture, or you could end up with ruined and smelly furniture.
Lastly, some people like to use a perfume product to help neutralize the smell. If you do this, make sure that it is non-toxic to animals. Many products that are safe for humans are not always safe for dogs or cats (in fact, most of them aren't safe for us either). Some home air fresheners, sprays, plug-ins and scented oils can be harmful to a pet's health. When in doubt just stick with the home baking soda remedy.
And if you have a cat that likes to scratch or spray, there are natural remedies for that to! Read our article on "How to make your own cat repellant spray".
If you need help with large cleaning and de-odorizing project in your home, call a Color Glo specialist today.
Entrepreneur Magazine Names CGI Top Global Franchise
Color Glo International® 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.
Color Glo International® Named A Top Global Franchise By Entrepreneur Magazine.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. July 23rd, 2018 – Color Glo International® 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 #58 globally out of 500.
“Global recognition continues to be a testament to the products, systems and franchisee family we have built here at Color Glo over decades of experience. We are honored once again. ”
“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.
“Franchise companies are increasingly looking to expand overseas, and are finding intelligent and innovative ways to translate their brands for new audiences,” says Entrepreneur’s editor in chief, Jason Feifer. “Our Top Global Franchises list highlights the companies that are doing it best."
Entrepreneur’s 2018 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 offers an opportunity with worldwide appeal.
To view Color Glo International in the full listing, visit entrepreneur.com/franchises/topglobal. 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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
mandi@colorglo.com
Want to franchise with CGI?
World-Class Franchise® Recognition - Color Glo International
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. July 17th, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been recognized with the extraordinary franchise satisfaction award from the Franchise Research Institute® for the eighth consecutive year.
Color Glo International® "Extraordinary Franchisee Satisfaction Award Winner.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. July 17th, 2018 – Color Glo International® has been recognized with the extraordinary franchise satisfaction award from the Franchise Research Institute® for the eighth consecutive year.
This recognition follows the World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® for the eighth consecutive year, which comes after an independent franchisee validation survey conducted by the Franchise Research Institute, in which 76.1% of all Color Glo International franchisees participated. The survey was designed to determine the quality of 10 key metrics crucial to franchisee success within the Color Glo International franchise system.
According to Jeff Johnson, Founder of the Franchise Research Institute, “Color Glo International understands the importance of the partnership between franchisor and franchisees, and relies on unbiased data to make decisions which help to maximize franchisee sales and profitability. Further, Color Glo’s willingness to share this ‘look behind the curtain’ provides a level of transparency in their franchise that is critical for franchise candidates.”
The survey asked Color Glo International’s franchise owners to rate their franchisor through a series of questions in categories such as overall quality, growth potential, support and communication.
Franchisee Responses
Among the responses received from Color Glo International’s franchisees:
- 99% gave a positive rating to the overall quality of the franchisor.
- 98% believe their franchisor encourages high standards of quality performance throughout the organization.
- 99% gave a positive rating to how their franchise business compares to the local competition.
- 99% gave a positive rating to the overall communication between home office personnel and franchisees.
- 97% gave a positive rating to the long-term growth potential for their franchise business.
“Once again, we are honored to continually receive recognition for all the hard work and support that the Color Glo family provides to our franchisees and the success of their operations.”
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 the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Contact
Mandi Brandon
mandi@colorglo.com
Want to franchise with CGI?
When Is The Right Time to Buy A Franchise with Color Glo?
If you've been thinking about buying into a franchise system, you may wonder if you are cut out to be a business owner, and if so, what type of franchise should you own? Almost anyone can be a franchise owner if you have the determination and the willingness to learn and evolve. The system has been created for you, so following it is your biggest asset.
Summertime is a good time to start your own business
Summertime. It's hot, its sticky and its full of opportunity. Right now might be a good time to consider advancing your career and changing your life by purchasing a Color Glo franchise. Summertime is a good time to think about kicking off or starting a new business for a few reasons. Most businesses are in the middle of their year and focused on sales and maintaining; less effort it is being put into market analysis. The middle of the year can tend to slow many people down, but you are just beginning to run. It's also wise to think about getting some groundwork laid before the 4th quarter of the year, holiday time period and other calendar items that bring business development to a halt.
If you've been thinking about buying into a franchise system, you may wonder if you are cut out to be a business owner, and if so, what type of franchise should you own? Almost anyone can be a franchise owner if you have the determination and the willingness to learn and evolve. The system has been created for you, so following it is your biggest asset.
Franchise Skillsets
The type of franchise you own will depend heavily on your personality, interests, obviously your skill-sets. If you have interest in restaurant operations, then there are many franchise options for you. If you want retail unique clothing and accessories in a boutique environment, then there are franchises for you. If you want to operate a gym, guess what? So many options out there for you. If you want to help your clients save large amounts of money and be a go-to resource for color and material restoration in niched interests like automobiles, marine, aircraft, home furniture, commercial furniture and more - then Color Glo International is for you. You'll meet new people every day, you'll work on-site rather than in a box and you'll encounter unique jobs that challenge you daily.
Franchise ownership rewards?
There are many rewards to owning a franchise. One of the biggest is also your biggest challenge, which is being self-employed. This means you are your own boss which can be the life or death of your business. You'll need to be a self-starter, create routines and schedules, set your own meetings and efficiently and financially manage them. You get to know other small business owners in your community and you'll get to know all kinds of people that are looking for someone like you to help them with regular work. One is that Color Glo Franchise owners can benefit is in their relationships with RV Dealers.
Freedom is your biggest advantage. New work locations, new people, new challenges - every day. If you're willing to follow a proven model, the business can also be lucrative
Back to determining the best time
We've given you our advice based on our franchisees. But seasonal businesses and level of risk takers will have different opinions. Some industries will have busier times of year than others, and many will want to open right before a big season. However, your personality comes in to play; you may want time to work out the kinks.
To find which option is right for you, look at potential outcomes … and seasons that might bring in more dollars. Then evaluate how ready you are (or might be) by a certain date. This can create a realistic timeline, and reveal when will be your "best" time to open.
How about outside factors? Are there any competitors retiring or going out of business? Are there businesses in your similar field opening? These variables, and more, can help pin down a deadline. Also keep in mind that business is never cut and dry. Even with the tightest of plans, your deadline can get shoved back. Be sure to give plenty of advance … just in case.
Another thing to also consider are hard dates. Do you need real estate? When can you get into the building? Are there licenses, liens, loans, operational equipment etc that all have lead times? A firm plan is essential to launch.
Final Considerations
Before hopping in with both feet, take some time to consider the competing franchise models in your selected interest. Stay open-minded and things can change rapidly. If you are working toward opening your franchise, there comes a point where it's simply time to open, no matter what the corresponding season might be. Be prepped to go at it full-force, then hone in on whatever your industry's craziest time of year.
- Color Glo International was rated in the Top 100 for 2018 by Franchise Gator.
- Color Glo International was also ranked on the 2018 Entrepreneur Franchise 500.
For Seasoned Experience & Advice in a Color Restoration Franchise, Contact Us Today.
How RV Dealers & Owners Benefit from Color Glo
Summertime is upon us and that means that RV sales will soon be ramping up for the fall. "Recreational vehicles (RVs), caravans, campers, vans or motorhomes - whatever size they are and whatever you call them, they are back and picking up a new generation of eager fans just wanting to hit the road", according to CNN.
RV's Owners benefit from Color Glo
Summertime is upon us and that means that RV sales will soon be ramping up for the fall. "Recreational vehicles (RVs), caravans, campers, vans or motorhomes - whatever size they are and whatever you call them, they are back and picking up a new generation of eager fans just wanting to hit the road", according to CNN.
Recent surveys taken in 2017 at dealerships across the U.S., in Europe, and in Canada are reporting that they are seeing younger and younger buyers. There are definitely a couple of reasons for this – first vehicles, particularly the smaller 'value' models that offer a lot of flexibility, are being designed with a younger demographic in mind.
Dealers also are not alone in this surge of growth. The recreational vehicle industry association (RVIA) reports that the RV rental business is a $350+ million sector that will continue to grow as more baby boomers retire and hit the road as well.
What does this mean for dealers?
This boom and a continued surge in the RV industry has led to increased competition for dealers and renters to move their units quickly. Ensuring their vehicles are in tip-top shape is critical to this mission and it's also a very important factor to the millenial generation.
Purchasing a previously-owned vehicle or renting one can be a very cost-effective way for customers to enjoy the RV life, traveling, etc. But giving consumers the feeling that they are in a new RV can be the difference between moving your inventory or losing out to the competition.
The professional at Color Glo can help
Color Glo specialists come to you. We've been doing it for over 45 years and have built incredible relationships with recreational vehicle dealers and their customers. All of our repairs are done on-site, meaning you can stay busy selling and renting your RVs while we get them ready to show. You don't have to transport them anywhere, wait for the repair or lose precious time in sales.
Our franchisees can fix just about anything. With Color Glo, you can make one call to fix almost everything in the dash, seating, interior, headlights and some exterior paneling. We repair and restore vinyl, leather, fabric, plastic, and carpet to a like-new condition.
Think of it as a full makeover. If you're looking to sell your home, you may hire a professional painter to give a brand new feel and give the rooms a flow that leads you through the house. The emotional piece of spending money is very real when it comes to home, cars, RV's and other items of large expense. In your RV's, Color Glo can dye surfaces like vinyl, plastic, leather, rubber and more. We can also repair and restore scratches, tears, and burns to new.
Putting a fresh coat of paint inside a home you’re looking to sell is one of the easiest ways to spruce a place up, so why not do the same for the interior of the RV? Color Glo can dye any items in the interior made of vinyl, leather, plastic or fabric.
Repair vs. Replace
Repairing and restoring the features on your fleet of previously-owned recreational vehicles can help make the cost of replacement cheaper. In fact, it will be much less in most cases. You can expect to see as much as a 70% savings when restoring to new with Color Glo and you can demand top dollar for your slightly used RV's.
Are you an RV Dealer that needs an on-site restoration specialist?
It's Time To Unleash The Boat - And Repair It...
If you're a boat owner, your favorite time of year has already made its presence felt - specifically in our hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Has your boat hit the water yet? It seems for many that the answer is "not yet".
Has your boat hit the water yet?
If you're a boat owner, your favorite time of year has already made its presence felt - specifically in our hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Though it took a long while for spring to rear its head, it's finally here and headed into summer. Has your boat hit the water yet? It seems for many that the answer is "not yet".
If you are in this group of "not yet" then you are probably noticing the cobwebs and memories of last year's season draping all over your lake-going vessel. What felt winterized and stored in pristine shape, now looks dreary and far from sparkling clean. Often times, you find the mold that decided to plant itself on your favorite cushion or chair. It's possible a mouse found his way into your storage bins or engine compartment, leaving wires and hoses damaged and in need of repair. Your dash is suddenly dry and cracked after several years of use. What do you do?
Uffda! Does your boat look like this?
Some tips and advice for boat restoration
As the world's leading on-site repair and restoration franchise company, we have a few thoughts on repairing your boat's most used areas. Color Glo Specialists have plenty of experience when it comes to high traffic wear, chips, and cracks.
High-stress areas
One area of the boat that may "creep up on you" is that back seat section or rear of the boat. It really depends what you use your boat for, but if recreation is its purpose then you are the target for this sentiment. People stepping on the back seats and rear deck after tubing, water skiing or cocktailing on floaties can cause serious wear and tear. Stepping on cushions can cause a lot of direct stress to the seat and its coating. You just might find them to be cracked and in need of repair this spring/summer.
“Stepping on the back seats after cocktailing on floaties can cause searious wear and tear.”
How about that mouse?
Cute little guys... warmth is what they seek and your boat is the perfect shelter with plenty of options for making a nest. Though mice can literally chew through wires, harnesses, tubing and other important electrical elements, the most common issue we find after winter storage is damage to cushions. They find their way into the filling and take up residence for the colder months leaving you with, well... expense.
Though it will really depend on the piece and the damage, but generally speaking a Color Glo restoration specialist can bring your marine leather, vinyl and cusion back to life for 70% - 90% cheaper than buying new. And we come to you!
Color Glo on location around the world for boat and marine restoration
Boat vs. Automobile
As a boat-owner, keeping your boat cleaned and conditioned is your first priority. Your boat's use patterns are much different than your car and the potential for damage is high. A boat needs to be protected from the continual exposure to water and sun. Even when your boat is left uncovered overnight, the dampness can cause moisture and dew to sit on the surfaces of the boat and cause long-term damage. You may not notice it, but one day you'll wake up and it will be sudden damage that you were not expecting.
“As a boat-owner, keeping your boat cleaned and conditioned is your first priority.”
Having a list of general care practices which includes cleaning and protection will help your boat last for many, many years. And keep your watercraft covered when not in use will increase the life of your plastic, vinyl and leather surfaces by avoiding unnecessary exposure to the elements. You learn more about cleaning your boat at this great article by Color Glo Specialist Brenda in Michigan, "Top 4 Tips For Cleaning Marine Vinyl Interior".
How Color Glo can help
Boat/marine 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.
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
Help Your Boat Find The Lake Faster.
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.