OUR HISTORY

Carcraft Auto Appearance Center is a full-service car wash and auto detailing company in Albany, Oregon.

Founded in 1976 by Gale Borde as a detail service on Ferry Ave., Carcraft has grown to include a full service car wash and Carcraft Chevron, which are all located on one city block in the heart of Albany. Gale's brother, Armand, joined the company in 1979, and the two continued to build their company into the finest auto appearance facility in the mid-Willamette Valley. 

Gale and Armand purchased the old Hill Street Carwash at the corner of 9th & Hill Street in 1983, while continuing to run the detail center on Ferry Ave. In 1984, the Borde brothers purchased the entire lot at the corner of 9th & Hill, and built the exisiting detail center, while renovating the car wash. This put both of their businesses at the same location, and the current Carcraft Auto Appearance Center as it is known today was born. 

Carcraft has undergone several renovations over the years. In 2012, the car wash was remodeled to include new dryers and brushes. In 2017, the car wash again underwent a major renovation, this time replacing the converyor and adding new equipment such as state of the art wrap around brushes and a Simoniz Hot Wax & Shine treatment. 

From their start in the 70s, Carcraft has been chosen by more local auto dealerships in the Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon areas to have their vehicles detailed than any other detaiing facility around. Also, since 1985, Carcraft has been the only car wash in the area to offer full service cleaning packages.

In 2001, Gale and Armand purchased the adjacent Chevron gasoline station, and renamed it Carcraft Chevron. This purchase was a "no-brainer" as it expanded the services that Carcraft could offer and provided a one-stop location for mid-Willamette Valley customers to fill up their tank and have their car washed. Additionally, in 2005, Gale and Armand purchased the Tom Tom Chevron Deli & Market at 321 Airport Rd. SE, in Albany.

Today, Carcraft has a staff of eight full-time auto detailers as well as multiple staff in its car wash and at its Chevron stations. 

In April 2012, Gale's son, Ryan, joined the team at Carcraft as chief operating officer. Ryan grew up working for his dad and uncle, but left in 2005 to pursue a Master's degree and to work in college athletics. After being gone for seven years, he has returned to provide the customers of the mid-Willamette Valley his expertise about the auto appearance industry.