TopCoat Products returns this year as presenting partner for the Ponte Vedra Auto Show, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, at Nocatee Station Field.
Last year, the Green Cove Springs-based manufacturer of several detailing products had a booth at the show, where it gave demonstrations and handed out free samples.
Scott Smith, TopCoat’s founder and CEO, said he enjoyed the show and even made a surprising discovery.
“It’s amazing how many people were already using our product!” he said.
In fact, the company made some converts, as well. Some visitors who stopped by to learn more have become diehard customers. TopCoat inspires strong brand loyalty.
This year, the TopCoat booth will be back and the company will have giveaways and goodie bags for its visitors.
TopCoat’s origins go back to 2002 when Smith, who had decades of experience in the automotive detailing industry, had an idea to create a single multi-use, multi-surface coating that would replace the eight to 12 traditional detailing products many people used.
The result was TopCoat F11, which could be used on both the interior and exterior of an automobile, including paint protection films, isinglass and matte finishes.
The product quickly earned a following, especially among those who wanted something they could use on classic cars.
“We are water based, so we’re safe on these older vehicles,” Smith said. “We have a ton of car collectors and exotics and museums that use our product just for that reason. It’s not a solvent that can deteriorate over time.”
Each bottle has a QR code on it, so shoppers can scan them right in the store and see videos and testimonials on their smartphones before buying.
But F11 is not the company’s only product.
There’s also F11PRO, TopCoat’s most advanced multi-purpose, water-based, amino-functional technology coating; Gla-C, a glass cleaner that cleans more than glass; Spritz, a speed detailer and waterless wash; TireDress, which blackens tires and adds a light sheen; TopCoat HPS, for use in the home; UnCoat, which easily removes waxes, water-based sealers and several solvent-based coatings; SapErase, designed to remove sap; GunArmor, a unique gun cleaner and polish for weapons; and microfiber towels.
And there’s TopCoat Crystaleen, a permanent ceramic five-year coating, that the company recently released in 2-ounce sizes.
Smith explained the importance of the product.
“The ceramics you see on the market today are not real ceramics,” he said. “They’re what’s called hybrid ceramics. A real ceramic is a permanent coating that lasts years. And you can’t remove it unless you wet-sand it off.”
Real ceramic coatings are normally applied by certified professionals — at a professional price. Smith said this normally runs about $1,500-plus.
“Now, the retail customer can actually apply a real, permanent, basically silica ceramic for $80,” Smith said. “You can do it yourself; very easy to do.”
That’s partially because TopCoat sells it with a kit that includes videos and QR codes that can be scanned to help the owner learn. The 2-ounce size gets the customer started.
TopCoat is always improving its formulas. F11PRO, for instance, has been made anti-static and corrosion resistant and has been given a UV guard.
The company itself continues to grow.
“When we first launched, we were the only ones online. Period,” said Smith. “There was no competition.”
In the past year, TopCoat has improved its presence on Amazon and Walmart online. And something new: It has begun working with brick-and-mortar retailers to get its products on store shelves. This is particularly evident at Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone and Harley-Davidson.
In addition, the company has launched TopCoat Mania, a free sweepstakes where customers can win TopCoat products, Visa gift cards and a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota for the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
No purchase is necessary to sign up. Go to topcoatmania.com.
TopCoat is planning big things for 2024, including new products. To learn more about the company and its products or watch product videos, go to topcoatproducts.com or check out www.facebook.com/f11topcoat.
Or stop by the TopCoat booth at the Ponte Vedra Auto Show, which is just one of many community events the company is involved with.
