Big Island auto detailer selected to preserve inaugural presidential jet Air Force One

A North Kohala-based automotive detailer has been hand-picked to work on one of the world’s most famous aircraft.

Robin Marquez, owner and operator of Signature Auto Detail Hawai‘i, LLC, is a member of the 2024 Air Force One Detailing Team at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. This marks his second time, having previously participated in 2019.

“I feel honored to be selected again for such a prestigious project,” said Marquez. “My father
served in the Navy and my brother retired from the Air Force. Although I’m not in the military, I
believe that my detailing talents fulfill my desire and patriotic duty to restore, maintain and
protect a part of American aviation history.”

Marquez started his mobile detailing business in 2012 and is currently serving North Kohala,
Waimea, Honoka’a, Waikoloa Village and the Kohala Coast. In 2018 he trained with master
detailer and industry leader Renny Doyle of Detailing Success.

In 2002, Doyle received a call from a senior advisor of the George W. Bush administration
asking him to bring a team to Seattle’s Museum of Flight to clean and restore the deteriorating
paint and aluminum finish on the historical jet. In 2003, Doyle and a small staff started the
restoration project.

For over 20 years, Doyle and his expanding team of detailers from around the world have
been dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and preserving SAM (Special Air Missions) 970, the
first presidential jet known as Air Force One. Since 1959, the now-retired Air Force One has
flown presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, as well as world leaders and
dignitaries. Today, the plane sits on display at Seattle’s open-air Aviation Pavilion where it is
subject to the wet elements of the Emerald City.

The project has grown to include dozens of other iconic aircraft including the Concorde G-
BOAG “Alpha Golf,” the first-ever Boeing 727 “Serial No. 001,” the first Boeing Jumbo Jet 747
“RA001 Serial No. 001,” a WWII B-29 Superfortress known as “T-Square 54″ and the
Lockheed 1049G Super Constellation “Connie.”

When asked how the detailing project has evolved over the last 2 decades, Doyle said, “Naturally we’ve learned a lot. Equipment and products have completely changed. Knowledge of the products and the entire operation. Sponsorships for equipment, chemicals, supplies, and meals. The museum has grown to know our capabilities and it’s been a wonderful journey.”

This highly specialized and selective team of 35 detailers have all been through Doyle’s
extensive training and returns every year as caretakers of Air Force One.

“Robin is not new to high quality. He’s a quality person with a strong work ethic and knows how to lead and inspire others. I knew it was a package deal with Robin and his abilities when we selected him,” Doyle said of Marquez.

The weeklong project will run from July 7 to July 14, and Marquez is eager to return.

“I’m looking forward to participating in this year’s Air Force One (AFO) project because I’ve been chosen to be on the finishing team this year, so there is a mix of nervousness and excitement. There’s a lot of work and long days ahead of us, but I’m prepared to get started,” said Marquez.

The finishing team is reserved for hand-picked returning veterans only; dedicated to working on AFO aluminum and aluminum finishing work on other aircraft.