Sponsor Spotlight: Stinger Chemical

International Detailing Association (IDA): How long have you been with Stinger Chemical? Were you a detailer prior to becoming a supplier?
Daniel Burros (DB): I have been with Stinger Company for two years. I’ve always been a car enthusiast, but I’ve never been a professional detailer. I started out working with a distributor of oil and other automotive chemicals in 1998, which included selling some detail products. I enjoyed selling the detail chemicals more so than the other things, so in 2000, I changed jobs and started working for a small manufacturer of detail chemicals in Minnesota. I really enjoyed that and always wanted to get back to working for a manufacturer again! 

IDA: What made you switch to becoming a supplier?
DB: I got an offer with who, at the time, was the largest distributor of detail chemicals in the upper midwest and couldn’t pass it up. I did that for 18 years and was fortunate to work with some of the best people in the industry — all IDA Members now by the way! That’s where I really learned the how’s and why’s of the business. Education is priceless. I was fortunate to have that much experience in the industry teaching me the ropes! 

IDA: What type of training does your business offer?
DB: We offer various types of training. Including in-person and remotely training about detailing processes and procedures. We also offer product training and safety.

IDA: What are some of your company’s attributes that make you stand out in the industry?
DB: We have been manufacturing all of our own products in Texas since 1988, where all of the raw materials are. We can make stronger chemicals with consistent quality but keep our overhead down. This helps pass on savings to the end-user.

IDA: Is there any advice you would give to detailers that may be looking into transitioning to product sales, distribution, or manufacturing?
DB: Make sure you partner with a strong manufacturer, one with a history of making consistent, quality chemicals. There are many fly-by-night manufacturers in our business and I’ve seen so many businesses fail because they couldn’t get the support they needed from their manufacturer.

IDA: What are some of the struggles your company has overcome to get to where it is today?
DB: Growth! Which is a great problem to have…LOL! But seriously, we grow and add to the business all the time. Sometimes you get so many irons in the fire you can hardly keep up, but I’ll take that problem over sitting and twiddling my thumbs any day and every day! 

IDA: Why does your company believe it is beneficial to support the IDA?
DB: The IDA is the resource the detailing industry needs to drive the professionalism and recognition of what a detailer is and the skill it takes nowadays to truly get the job done the correct way. How could we not support an organization like that! 

IDA: As a supplier, what changes would you like to see made in the detailing industry?
DB: Industry standards and regulations that make the true manufacturers, who are doing the due diligence to make safe and effective chemicals, stand out from the backyard brewers that don’t follow any standards or safety regulations.

Disclaimer: Stinger Chemical is a 2021 IDA Platinum Sponsor. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IDA. If you are interested in becoming an IDA Sponsor, please click here to learn more.