Detailing by an Enthusiast for Enthusiasts

Hello, my name is Don Ford. For as long as I can remember I have had a love of all types of vehicles, be it planes, trains, trucks or automobiles. As soon as I was old enough to play with toy cars I always had a hot-wheels or a die-cast model in my hands. Not much has changed, just the toys have gotten bigger.

For me, this passion for vehicles naturally led to an enjoyment of detailing. It all started out with weekend car washes in the driveway with my Dad. As I got older this evolved into keeping my own cars clean and eventually detailing my family and friends vehicles.

I’ve always enjoyed creativity, problem solving as well as working with my hands so detailing is a natural fit. Along with my love of working on cars I am an avid photographer and an award winning documentary filmmaker. I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. I have also studied graphic design and am interested in marketing and look to build Dream Machine Detailing into a trusted brand name.

The sights, sounds and thrills of motorsports captured my imagination early on. Back in the day, my Dad and my Uncle would take my brother and I to small dirt tracks in Southern Wisconsin to watch sprint car racing and demolition derbies. We also visited the Legendary Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove to experience quarter mile drag racing. I grew up idolizing NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt throughout the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. More recently I have gotten into following various sports car racing series like IMSA and absolutely love vintage sports car racing. One of my favorite and most cherished places to visit in the spring, summer and fall is Road America in Elkhart lake WI. It is one of the Worlds premier road racing tracks and it could not be a more beautiful setting, especially in the fall.

After spending 12 years in the documentary film business I decided I wanted to try something a little different so I made the decision to start Dream Machine Detailing in August of 2019. From the Sunday car wash ritual with my Dad till today, I’m excited to see where this journey with detailing will take me. I look forward to making some lasting friendships and having the privilege to detail some incredible Dream Machines.

Hello, my name is James Ford. I am the yin to my brother’s yang. I joined Dream Machine Detailing amidst the pandemic out of necessity and found the work detailing cars to be very enjoyable and rewarding. Not only do I get to work with my brother, but I also get to meet many amazing people and work on some pretty cool vehicles.

My career was in the food service industry and unfortunately I found myself one of many in the workforce to be laid off. While on furlough for several months during the pandemic I helped my brother detailing cars part time. We enjoyed working with each other so much that when it was clear my future in the food industry was coming to an end it was an easy choice to join my brother full time. I take great pride in the work I do and experience great enjoyment in helping clean and detail our client’s vehicles.

I am a geek at heart and my favorite pastimes are video gaming, watching movies, studying history and learning all kinds of random pop culture information. My dream car is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS and thanks to my work with Dream Machine Detailing I am learning more about cars and car culture than I ever imagined.

I am extremely grateful for the people I have met and have enjoyed experiences like riding in a fully track prepped Corvette at Road America. I am excited to see where the future takes me at Dream Machine Detailing.

Rides, Past & Present

The car that really started it all. Our Dad’s 1995 Chevy Impala SS. I vividly remember many summer road trips in this car with my Dad and brother. From 1995 – 2003 this was the car my Dad dropped me off at school in. Supertramp or some other classic rock was always playing on the radio. I attained my license to drive as well as thrill in this beast!

My first foray into classic cars was tinkering on this 1961 Plymouth Belvedere, 2 door, slant 6 with my Dad. We rebuilt the carburetor just enough to get it fired so we could try out the dash board mounted push button drive.

Growing up in Chicagoland the Blues Brothers movie was a staple in our household for it’s soulful music and hilarious car chase action. I loved it and just like the lead character Elwood I knew one day I had to own a retired cop car. My first “official” car and my pride and joy for 5 great years was this 2005 Ford Crown Vic P71 that I kept in immaculate condition. At that time I worked part time at a rental car company as a car porter. At the end of each week I would stay late after work meticulously detailing this car. It may not have been anything fancy, but it was definitely the cleanest Crown Vic around.

This 1994 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0 was an ill advised three month fling. It was a project truck that I paid too much for, but I got it running and driving, cleaned it up and then flipped it. In order to sell it quickly I put my photography skills to use and shot a series of glamor shots. I believe presentation is everything and the gentleman who ended up purchasing the truck said it was the photos that hooked him. It’s one of the reasons I decided to include “beauty shots” as a unique service I can offer customers. Detail it, photograph it, sell it.

James and I found this ultra clean 2002 Ford Mustang GT convertible while out and about one weekend and we couldn’t pass it up. We had fun driving it, detailing it and doing a few modifications to it over the course of a summer before selling it to a very good friend.

My Dream Machine: A 2008 Ford Mustang “Bullitt” edition. This car carries a lot of sentimental value for me. It’s a car I saw with my Dad at the 2008 Chicago Auto show and vowed that someday we would own. Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us, but I decided to purchase the car in his honor and achieve one of my childhood dreams of owning a Mustang. It has been a catalyst for many relationships, experiences and en-devours in my life, including a video series on youtube (Dream Machines Video Series), as well as the creation of the Dream Machine Detailing business and brand. Personal modifications include the Ford Performance Adjustable Handling Package, upgraded drilled/slotted rotors with Hawk performance brake pads, Ford Performance FR500S Axle-Back Mufflers and an MGW short throw shifter. I have a lot of fun with this car and plan to keep it for a very long time.

Commitment to Education

I am committed to continuing education. That’s why in February of 2020 I attended a three day, detail boot camp at Autogeek in Stuart Florida, hosted by world renowned detailing expert, author and educator, Mike Phillips.

There are many detailing classes out there, but I chose Mike’s because he is a true encyclopedia of detailing knowledge and in many cases the original source of many popular detailing methods, tips, tricks, techniques and vocabulary used in the industry today.

Mike was the head of training at Meguiar’s, Autogeek.net, 3D Car Care, AutoForge.net and is now the director of training at Dr. Beasley’s in Stuart Florida. He has appeared as a guest host for detailing segments on My Classic Car with Dennis Gage and also hosted his own program called Competition Ready on Velocity (Now MotorTrend.tv). Mike has hundreds of how to articles on various online forums and has authored several books related to detailing. He is an active detailer in the West Palm Beach area and specializes in detailing and paint correction of muscle cars, street rods, classic cars as well as high end power boats. You can read his full bio here.

James and I are also members of the International Detailing Association (IDA). The IDA is the largest and fastest growing association of professional detailers in the world. We joined the IDA because it’s a group committed to instilling the highest standard of professionalism among it’s members and it’s an incredible resource for continuing education and staying up to date on advances and professional practices in the industry.

Autogeek Detailing Boot Camp with Mike Phillips 2020

SEMA Show 2022

As a whole, the automotive industry is a a playground for innovation in our world, and there is no better trade show that represents this incredible industry quite like the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show held in Las Vegas, also known as the SEMA show. We had the privilege to join thousands of other industry professionals in attending the 2022 SEMA show to experience all of the new technology and industry innovations first hand. From learning about the latest in auto detailing products and trends to taking in awe inspiring custom vehicle builds by industry titans, we got to experience the full gamut of what the aftermarket automotive industry has to offer.

Commitment to Integrity

I am proud to say that Dream Machine Detailing, LLC is a fully insured business.

My brother and I are committed to running an ethical and honest business. I want our clients to know that we feel it is an honor and privilege to work on your Dream Machines.

The heartbeat of our business is built upon your generous referrals so we are only as good as our most satisfied customer. We seek to foster long term relationships with customers based upon loyalty, friendship and trust.

Thank you to all of you who support Dream Machine Detailing, LLC. We are building something special together.

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