What began as a hobby in Andy Martinez’s driveway has grown into one of Pasadena’s most trusted detailing services.
When Pasadena resident Andy Martinez left his job as a sous chef at a Belgian restaurant back in 2019, he knew he was ready for something different. The long hours, low pay, and lack of fulfillment pushed him to take a bold step – one that led him from the heat of the kitchen to the gleam of freshly polished paint.
That leap of faith became Andy’s Mobile Car Detailing, a business born from his love of cars, hard work, and the freedom of building something on his own terms.
“I was tired of being taken advantage of,” Martinez recalled. “I wanted to do something I actually enjoyed.”
What started in Annapolis has since found its home in Pasadena, where Martinez, his wife, and their kids settled after buying their first house in 2022. Today, Andy’s Mobile Car Detailing has earned a glowing reputation – literally and figuratively – for its professional service, honesty, and attention to detail.
Martinez’s passion for detailing began simply: with his own cars. “I always enjoyed detailing my own vehicles,” he said. “At one point, I even had a YouTube channel. I learned a lot from watching videos and practicing on my own cars.” That self-taught passion evolved into expertise. He’s now a certified installer for three major ceramic coating brands – IGL Coatings, Gyeon, and HydroSilex – and takes pride in offering only the highest-quality work.
Andy specializes in paint correction and ceramic coatings, but also provides full interior and exterior detailing. What sets his business apart, he says, is not just the services themselves, but the professionalism behind them. “We’re licensed and insured, and I take my business really seriously. I don’t cut corners,” he emphasized.
But professionalism isn’t the only thing driving Martinez – it’s also his family. “I get to make my own schedule and spend a lot of time with my wife and kids,” he said. “That’s more important to me than working a 9-to-5 job.”
Running a small business hasn’t come without challenges, though. Competing with low-cost detailers can be tough, especially when educating customers on the value of quality workmanship. “You’ll see people offering full details for $50 or $100, while our most basic service starts at $160,” Martinez said. “It can be hard to explain the difference between good work and cheap work.”
Still, his honesty and commitment have earned him a loyal customer base and over 100 five-star reviews on Google – without a single negative one. One story, in particular, captures his philosophy perfectly.
An older client with a pristine 1998 Mercedes asked Martinez to apply a ceramic coating to his car. But after learning the vehicle spent most of its life in a climate-controlled garage and was driven only a few times a year, Martinez turned him down. “I told him he didn’t need it,” he said. “I’m not in this business to scam people. I’m here to make a customer, not just make a sale.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to open his own shop in the coming years – one that offers expanded services like window tinting and paint protection film, while still maintaining a mobile unit to serve loyal clients on the go.
For now, Martinez continues to take pride in transforming vehicles and seeing the reactions of happy customers. “Spending hours polishing a car and watching it shine again – it just makes me feel good,” he said. “Seeing a customer smile at the end? That’s priceless.”
Andy’s Mobile Car Detailing serves Pasadena and all of Anne Arundel County, as well as Catonsville and parts of Baltimore. Appointments can be scheduled online at AndysPD.com or by calling or texting (443) 822-5389.
