A Marc Above, Detailing at its Finest!

By Cindy Ladage

Marc Woodruff of A Marc Above has an automotive detailing business that specializes in paint correction and specialty coatings. “I’ve been in business since December of 2017,” Marc said.

Starting out at a dealership, he began offering his services on his own time at his dad’s garage.  “People said, ‘You have a knack for this.’ Then I went out on my own and steadily built my business over time.”

Located at 905 Bronaugh Street, this one-man shop gives his heart and soul to the business.  It is no surprise that Marc Woodruff ended up doing something with automobiles since it is a family thing.  “Detailing is really a luxury, but I was born into cars, so I knew from a young age that I would do something related to cars.  My oldest brother Eric is an engine builder and machinist.  My dad Bill, and his dad Woody, were into hotrods.”

Marc started out with several good jobs, but added, “None of them were careers.  Most everyone in my family is self-employed and this has been on my mind since my teens.”

The detailing business is something he learned over time.  “I have no formal training, but I am very detail oriented, and it is just part of being around cars my whole life.”

The adage to do what you love, and it won’t be work, has been true in Marc’s case.  As a one-person shop working on cars he said, “I do it all, from start to finish.”

By doing that, he can focus on the quality he is obsessive about.  In the past few years, he has added specialty paint correcting to his line.  He has built up a loyal clientele and said, “Now I am booked out a couple of months.”

When asked exactly what detailing is, Marc said, “Detailing is the intricate cleaning in cracks, getting stains, getting all the nooks and crannies. Detailing is like a spa day for your car!”

The paint correction adds a whole new dimension.  “I can take scratches out and make it better than it’s ever been.  It is hard to describe it is not something everyone can do. I can spend four hours buffing a door,” Marc said about the patience required to get the results he wants.

He was reluctant to talk about himself and added, “I let my work do the talking.”

It is the response he gets when people come to pick up their car that really makes his day.  “They are shocked when they pick up their vehicle.  It is almost like reconditioning the body and paint work rather than just cleaning.”

Marc works with a lot of different types of vehicles from farm trucks, which he says have proved the most challenging, to classic cars.  “I just had to finish buffing pm a 66 Continental to take it from mediocre to show quality,” Marc shared.

It can take a bit of time to get a job done.  “Classic cars can take about five to six days.”

Of course, the amount of time a vehicle takes depends on the condition and what the client wants done!  Detailing is a value-added service.  “A basic detail will enhance curb appeal.  A deep interior clean as well as paint correction shampoo will add thousands of dollars of value.  It is the best way to go if you are selling your car,” Marc added.  “It is a very good investment, especially for new cars to get ceramic coating, which is a long-term coating, providing enhanced protection over wax for much longer durations.  It is applied to every exterior surface besides tires.  It protects against water, bugs and birds that damage the clear coat.”

Marc advised getting a ceramic coating from a reputable detailer rather than a dealership because, “They don’t do the same procedure I’d do.  They don’t get the longevity of a detail shop.  I’m so particular I’ll go above and beyond, quality over quantity.”

Besides cars and trucks Marc said he hopes to work on planes in the future.  He has some semis lined up for winter work and said that from time to time he details musical instruments.

Marc in part credits his brother Adam Woodruff with his strong work ethic.  “He is a high-end landscaper whose work has been featured in numerous magazines, on covers and in and books as well.  I worked for him for seven years and he taught me a lot about attention to detail.”

While the detailing and specialty paint correcting is very time consuming, one aspect that Marc loves about the job he said is, “Detailing offers instant gratification.  It is the most gratifying job I’ve ever done. I get pleasure from my client’s reactions. I take pride in my work.  I’m not cheap, detailing is a luxury, but clients love seeing what it does in the end.”

Marc is truly humbled when he learns that he is the first person that some have ever let touch their car. “Trust is a huge thing to leave your car (or truck) somewhere.”

Marc Woodruff is all about local.  He buys his products locally and supports the local community.  “Since Thanksgiving last year, I started doing giveaways like meals at Christmas.”

Working with other businesses and private donors, they fed 51 local families! “Month by month I give away gift cards or anything. I try to also help those businesses that have been hit so hard by COVID-19.”

Marc feels grateful and wants to share with others.  “My whole goal is to bring back a sense of community.  I am trying to get a spotlight on businesses.”

“My girlfriend Rhea Miller feels the same way, we make a great team!  We are planning many events for the community including a huge fall festival September 25, 2021,” Marc said adding that by starting small you can make a difference.

For information about A Marc Above, you can find him on Facebook at  A Marc Above | Facebook or call him at 217-652-3918.