Grime 2 Shine keeps truckin’ amid rising business costs
Grime 2 Shine, an auto detailing and windshield replacement business in Evergreen, is persevering through rising business costs and a glass shortage, according to owner Keith McAtee.
Montanans know that windshield replacements are inevitable. Whether it’s from a fun weekend driving gravel back roads or a daily commute to work, there are ample ways for a rock to hit a car. There are also plenty of ways to get a car dirty, and McAtee has cleaned it all, from drink spills to bear spray leaks. He’s made dull cars shine again, and proudly displays his work on his “Wall of Shine” on the business’ website.
He’s working to keep things affordable for his customers, but it has been a struggle. Everything from the cost of glass to the rent on his building has increased over the last few years.
“The urethane to install the windshield, one tube is about $25 and it takes to one to two tubes per windshield. So just the cost of the urethane to adhere the glass to the frame is probably doubled in the last two years,” McAtee. “We were in an actual glass shortage the last two years, which has gotten better, but prices are still way up on glass.”
He hasn’t increased his prices in three years despite these rising costs. It’s a delicate balance, he said, because customers are also battling rising prices at every turn.
“I call it competition for money. You know, you got the Fourth of July coming around, people would rather shoot off fireworks than fix their vehicle, “McAtee said. “They'll drive a car with broken windows, it's not a priority. They’d rather buy groceries or shoot off fireworks.”
He’s seen about a 50% decrease in the number of customers who come in for a windshield replacement, versus about a 30% decrease in those who would like their car detailed.
But, much like the working-class people he serves, McAtee doesn’t stop because times are hard. Business always increases in the fall and winter, he said, and he’s looking into options for rebranding and ways to market his business. In addition to this, he’s hopeful that politely asking customers to consider adding a tip will help generate a little extra revenue.
Outside of windshield replacement, McAtee offers a variety of detailing services at many different price points. This includes cheaper options like odor removal for $75 and more elaborate cleanings, like his Gold Package, which covers a complete exterior and interior detailing, plus the engine.
He’s currently running the shop on his own, as it’s hard to hire someone and pay them enough to live in Kalispell due to the cost of housing increasing. McAtee started the business in 2013 to give himself more freedom and to spend more time with family after working as a car wash equipment salesman throughout the Northwest U.S.
This is still a job he loves for those reasons, he said. And he wants to continue providing great car detailing and windshield services for people in the Flathead Valley.
For more information, including a list of prices for services, visit www.grime2shinellc.com/ or call 406-755-4290.
Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.
Grime 2 Shine in Evergreen on Wednesday, July 17.Casey Kreider