For years we were using detergent, a sponge and a bucket to wash our cars, then the 2 bucket method came along and blew our minds, but then came Dave and everything has been immaculate ever since.
In the fourth of our Find your ZEN Features (where we feature extraordinary people who have found their ZEN) we shine the spotlight on Sydney based automotive detailer and paint protection specialist David Trieu, founder of Protekt Auto and partner of Carrozzeria.
My journey in the car industry started back in 2008 when I launched Protekt Auto (formerly Reflect Effect). I’ve always been obsessed with cars and making them look their best, so what started as a small business doing window tinting and detailing quickly grew into something bigger.
Early on, I had the chance to jump on as a sponsor on JDMST and VWgolf.net, two of the biggest Australian online car forums at the time, run by Justin Fox of Zen Garage. This was before social media was really a thing, and these forums were where car enthusiasts connected, shared their builds, and talked all things cars. Being part of that world gave me the exposure to build my business and grow a solid, loyal client base.
By 2010, ceramic coatings started making waves in the industry. I saw the potential right away and shifted from just detailing and restoring cars to helping people protect their brand-new vehicles.
I’ve always loved both the technical and creative sides of the job. There’s something really satisfying about seeing the results of a completed job, but I kept thinking, what else could we do to protect new cars besides tinting and coatings? That’s when I started looking into Paint Protection Film (PPF).
Back then, hardly anyone was doing it and those who were didn’t really want to share their knowledge. It was a steep learning curve with lots of trial and error over the years but I stuck with it and now PPF is a huge part of what we offer. It’s been a game-changer not only for our business but the industry itself.
Fast forward to 2024, and things have come full circle with the launch of Carrozzeria in Marrickville. Somehow, my business partner connected with Justin Fox and the Zen Garage team at a random photoshoot, and now we’re collaborating to bring back that Zen community vibe. Just like the early days of forums, group chats, and end-of-month meets (EOMM), we’re creating a space where car lovers can connect, share their passion, and just enjoy the culture.
From starting out with a simple love for cars to building a business around automotive protection and detailing, it’s been a crazy ride. And honestly, I’m just excited to keep pushing forward, to grow the community, and seeing where this journey takes us next.
