Auto Business Outlook: Specials Magazine

Vehicle care products are only as good as their formulations and Quest Car Care Products has built its reputation on creating formulas that perform. From its Zeeland, Michigan facility, it formulates high-performance wash and detailing products that combine ceramic-infused technology with biodegradable science, delivering durability and environmental responsibility in every bottle. How does Quest continue to earn operator loyalty in a market crowded with larger, better-capitalized competitors? The answer lies in continuity and a belief that chemistry is only as good as the people and principles behind it. That story begins in a 5,000-square-foot pole barn in Hudsonville, Michigan, where a young Jason Huf, now President and CEO, helped his grandfather and father in bottling cleaning products by hand for local customers. Huf’s grandparents, both World War II refugees who rebuilt their lives in Michigan, started out selling cleaning products before deciding to create their own. In 1968, they founded By-Pas International Corp, purchasing the formulas of a former company and refining them with the help of a local chemical company. The name By-Pas was clever wordplay that symbolized his philosophy of finding an easier, smarter route to cleaning. Decades later, that same instinct for perseverance and improvement drew Huf back to the family business. After joining full-time in 2000, he began exploring ways to grow the company. One afternoon, while refueling at a gas station, he noticed dozens of cars lined up at a local car wash and rows of chemical barrels stacked nearby. The scene sparked an idea; if others could supply the car wash industry, so could they and do it better. “I spent my twenties in the lab,” recalls Huf. “Car-wash owners would let me in after hours to test new formulas I mixed during the day. I learned to listen before I formulated.” Those insights became the foundation of Quest’s first professional product line. What began in a barn with a few family members has grown into two facilities spanning 75,000 square feet, with nearly 40 employees and a reputation for chemistry that performs exceptionally well in the vehicle wash industry. Quest continues to study the everyday challenges that operators face, including water reclamation, chemical compatibility and environmental compliance. Its focus has never been on duplicating or following trends, but on developing solutions that deliver measurable results and genuine value. The Art and Science of Shine A vehicle’s sheen conveys value, pride and trust. “At the end of the day, you can have all the lab instruments and computers in the world to validate a formula, but the customer has only their eyes,” says Jeff Resmer, Chief Revenue Officer. “If you can’t see the difference looking in the mirror or feel it with your hand as it glides over the surface, the product hasn’t earned its place.” From pre-soaks to detergents and protectants, the development of each product begins with the same question: “Can you trust it wash after wash?” To initiate the automated wash process, pre-soaks break down the toughest grime, such as road film, oils, bug remains and brake dust, before a brush or cloth ever touches the paint, thereby protecting the surface from scratches. Following the presoaks, other detergents are applied to create a lubricated foam that helps the friction materials glide safely over the vehicle, preparing the surface to accept the finishing products. Protective coatings, waxes and sealants are now applied, where molecular engineering translates into a tangible customer experience. Quest’s ceramic-infused and polymer based layers provide hydrophobic protection while enhancing gloss to a mirror finish. Its newest product, SAPPHIRE Activated Crystal Coating, represents the pinnacle of that work. “After more than two years of research and testing, we engineered SAPPHIRE from the ground up using our exclusive activated-crystal and gloss-matrix technology,” says Huf. “The result is a hard yet flexible layer of protection that lasts for weeks, applied in just seconds at the end of the wash process.” SAPPHIRE builds continuous layers of protection, filling microscopic imperfections to create a surface that feels sleek and sparkles. Its low surface tension allows water to sheet cleanly and rapidly away, leaving a spotless gloss without relying on mineral seal oils, hydrocarbons or PFAS. Innovations like this define Quest’s success in aligning high performance with environmental responsibility and turning car care aesthetics into something truly measurable.