The New Kid on the Block

Business Partners Matthew Swain and Michael Souza started RI Auto & Detail for their love of cars.

Matthew Swain figured out early in his life that he would be surrounded by cars. His father owned a truck repair company in Cranston and worked as an auto mechanic and was a service director most of his life. It was that foundation set from the age of 12 that propelled the younger Swain to the field.

After getting experience in every aspect of the industry, Swain decided that maintaining vehicles would be his calling. Two months ago, he and Souza opened RI Auto and Detail, located at 35 Zipporah St., in North Providence, as a full-time venture.

The company helps clean, recondition, and keep cars, vans, motorcycles and other vehicles sparkling. Swain and Souza actually started the company in March 2019 as a part-time endeavor. The decision to ramp up to full time happened this past July after he realized that working two jobs had to stop.

“I was working full time at Toyota of Smithfield as an Assistant Service Manager and doing the detailing jobs during the evening and on weekends,” Swain said. “It got to the point that I had to decide which of the two jobs I wanted to keep doing. So, I quit my job at Toyota and devoted my energy toward this business.

“It was time to find out if I needed to jump ship and make it on my own or stay there and never know,” he added.

He jokingly said that after spending time as a mechanic that he wanted to be on the “cleaner” side of the industry. The work is primarily done by Swain with some help from Souza and an intern they have brought in. On an average week, the company does between eight and 10 cars per week. They do all types of jobs, from small jobs like a “waterless” car wash to complete details.

He prides himself on establishing long-term relationships with customers. There was a recent case of a customer needing a car wash quickly. Swain returned the finished car within an hour. Another patron  spilled primer on his floor—on a Sunday morning when Swain’s shop is normally closed. Swain managed to work on the car and remove the primer before it dried and left permanent damage. 

While he can do emergency type jobs, Swain said he wants to take the time to make sure the cars leave his shop in much better shape than when they arrive.

“One of the problems I find in this line of work is other shops are looking to sell customers as many services as possible,” he said. “I am going to tell you what you actually need and not upcharge you. I had people tell me they need a complete detail. After looking at their car, I may tell them they just need to have it washed and clean out the interior. I try to save them money with just giving them the services they need.”

Perhaps the most interesting—and surprising—thing Swain said is people who think they are cleaning the outside of their cars are doing themselves more harm than good.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about car washes is that they automatically clean cars. Instead, those brushes can leave scratches, swirl the paint or even ruin it. We can come in and decontaminate the vehicle during our gentle hand wash process to help make the paint brighter and last longer,” he said.

Moving ahead, Swain looks to add a mobile vehicle service. When operating (it is scheduled to start around mid- September), services such as car washes, interior detailing, spot removal, steam cleaning and other services. Swain said going mobile can help families who cannot reach North Providence and people who can’t leave their office. Swain can arrive at the location, do the necessary work and leave.

RI Auto & Detail also offers pick up and drop off service. They adhere to all of the social distancing rules, including using floor mats, steering wheel covers and covering the seats and dashboard. Jobs can take as little as an hour for small ones to as long as four hours for a complete detail.

For more information about Swain or to make an appointment, please contact him at 401-400-2720 or by email at services@riautodetail.com. They also accept appointment requests on Facebook @riautodetail and on Instagram @riautodetail. He usually books appointments within a two-day window of the customer’s call.

Leave a comment