Tactical Detail

For the 92nd week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Tactical Detail is a family owned and operated mobile detailing service in Coeur d'Alene, ID.

4EVRGRN: Hey, TD! Tell us a little about yourselves.

TD: Hello, We are a Mobile Detail Service is a family operated business, ran by my husband, Harold, and me, Jamie.  Harold is the detailer that does the heavy lifting and makes the magic happen.  He can clean a car so well that many customers have said their vehicle looks and feels new, better than when they first got it.  My job is setting up the appointments and taking care of the various office jobs that come with running a business, such as finances and marketing. We began Tactical Detail in June of 2020, setting up our service in the beautiful North Idaho area surrounding Coeur d’Alene, as this is where my husband has long called home. We do our best to work year-round, which is not always an easy task for a mobile business like ours in PNW winters.  But we can’t imagine being anywhere else; this area is too perfect for our large family with its wonderful mix of mountains, lakes, and bicycle trails.  

What’s the best part about owning a mobile business in the PNW? 

Aside from the fantastic people we work with, the environment of the PNW is beyond compare.  We love the views and weather (at least in the warmer months). The best days are those that we get to detail vehicles at homes near or on the lakes; We can always rely on a good breeze and killer vistas.

What’s a unique trait of PNW drivers?

We see a fair amount of pet hair, ammo shells, and PNW pinstriping (micro-scratches from driving in the underbrush).  Four walls do not bind people here in the PNW. They much prefer to spend a significant amount of time in nature with their animals versus remaining closeted indoors, even in the cold and wet months.

What advice would you give to someone buying their first car and wanting to keep it clean?

Weather Tech floor mats are excellent at catching all the mud and grime people’s shoes collect on those long hikes in the mountains.  To further protect the interior of your ride, a regular vacuum regimen and routine wipe down goes a long way.  By keeping wipes and rags in the car, you can always be prepared to clean up coffee spills, muddy paw prints, or an excited tail wag after being in the lake all day.

Most surprising thing you’ve found in a vehicle?

Intimate toys and used prophylactics would definitely be the most surprising items we have found.  

There’s a lot of animal lovers in the PNW, any tips to make your job a little easier and reduce pet damage?

Weather tech floor mats, seat protectors, and regular vacuuming catches a lot of the mess our fur babies leave behind.  We always make sure to have either a rubber mat or waterproof layer under our dogs for long rides as our big guy doesn’t handle car sickness very well.  The extra layer saves our carpets from vomit and other debris; It gives us enough time to pull over and clean up before the smells soak into the vehicle’s fibers.  

Favorite place to escape in the PNW?

The Oregon coast near Newport is our number one go-to location when we have more than a few days to getaway.  The Yaquina Lighthouse and Agate Beach that sits next to the lighthouse is a great place to see the occasional whale or check out what creatures fill the wading pools.  When we don’t have time for road trips, we are beyond happy to live near so many lakes in North Idaho.  In the summer, we can be found taking a beach day at Lake Coeur d’Alene, and in the winter, we love to take a drive when it snows. Nothing beats the PNW.

Wildest PNW experience?

One of our more memorable moments would be camping in 2018.  We were boondocking north of Kingston, ID up by Bumble Bee.  It was midday, our second day there, and everyone was trying to stay cool as the day turned out warmer than anticipated.  Harold and I were by the tailgate of our Suburban when we heard a crashing sound in the woods behind us. We thought at first that it was our friend’s large dog tromping through the woods. Nope. Crashing and stumbling out of the woods into our campsite was a young bull moose.  He looked spooked and confused before he darted down the road.  We were able to watch him for a bit; he didn’t take long to settle and graze in the field nearby before he slowly melded back into the forest.

Connect with Tactical Detail online www.tacticaldetailcda.com and on IG/FB @tacticaldetail