Color Glo International

Every time a passenger steps into a private jet or a commercial airliner, there’s an unspoken expectation of comfort, functionality, and safety. Yet behind that seamless experience lies an extraordinary blend of science, craftsmanship, and compliance. Aircraft interior restoration isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s a highly specialized field that operates at the intersection of engineering excellence and artisan skill, where every choice of material, adhesive, or dye must meet exacting aerospace standards.

For half a century, Color Glo International has quietly reshaped how airlines, private jet owners, and MROs think about maintenance, proving that sustainability and sophistication can coexist at 35,000 feet.

Founded in 1975, the Minneapolis-based company began as a specialist in surface restoration for automotive interiors. But over the decades, its leather, vinyl, and plastic repair expertise expanded far beyond the road. Today, Color Glo has established itself as a global aircraft interior restoration leader, serving private aviation and commercial fleets across more than fifty countries. From Qatar Airways and EgyptAir to Air India and major U.S. carriers, the company’s name has become synonymous with craftsmanship, compliance, and care.

“Color Glo International is revamping aviation interior maintenance by restoring and repairing damaged leather, vinyl, and plastics instead of replacing them,” says Anthony Verch, the company’s chief financial officer. “It offers a smarter and more sustainable solution that significantly reduces cost, minimizes aircraft downtime, and keeps material out of landfills.”

The Science of Restoration

In 2003, Color Glo was issued a process patent for restoring aircraft interiors. This patent outlines a step-by-step methodology for renewing every component to meet stringent aviation standards. This patent became the cornerstone of the company’s commitment to precision, creating a replicable leather, vinyl, and plastic repair system that maintains visual appeal and mechanical integrity.

Every Color Glo product used in aviation is FAA-approved and subjected to rigorous ASTM testing as well as the vertical burn testing in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The company’s in-house chemist develops its water-based, non-toxic formulations, ensuring compatibility with evolving materials used in modern aircraft cabins. This scientific approach allows Color Glo’s technicians to repair scratches, burns, tears, and fading with an accuracy that meets and often exceeds safety and durability benchmarks.

However, what truly distinguishes Color Glo’s process is its mobility and efficiency. Unlike traditional refurbishment models that require disassembling interiors and transporting components off-site, Color Glo’s technicians bring the lab to the hangar. Their on-site restoration process allows seats, panels, and consoles to be repaired and refinished in place, drastically reducing turnaround time.

Speed matters in a business where every grounded hour translates into lost revenue. The company’s proprietary water-based products dry in minutes, enabling clients to return their aircraft to service almost immediately after treatment. The result is a seamless blend of engineering precision and aesthetic renewal, where surfaces are restored and rejuvenated.

A Global Network, One Standard

Since franchising in the 1970s, Color Glo has built a network spanning six continents. Each franchisee is trained and certified through a comprehensive program that combines classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and continuous updates on FAA regulations and product innovations. Specialized modules for aviation restoration go even deeper, covering the unique handling, safety, and documentation requirements of aircraft interiors.

Every Color Glo franchisee working in fare bearing aviation currently operates under the guidance of AIM (Aero Interior Maintenance) owner, Robert Brown. AIM’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in Wichita, Kansas—a strategic hub that oversees large-scale commercial projects and ensures adherence to aviation compliance standards. This structure ensures consistency across markets and creates a feedback loop between the field and Color Glo’s R&D lab, allowing for rapid adaptation to new materials and regulatory changes.

“One of the biggest advantages that we provide over many that do this type of work is that we are a certificated, Part 145 repair station. We can provide the customer with an 8130-3 or logbook entry form upon completion of our services. This takes any liability off of host facilities for the work that we do as well as provides the customer peace of mind in knowing that all of our services are provided within the regulations of the FAA and with FAA approved materials.” Says Brown.

The model reflects Color Glo’s philosophy of global reach with local precision. Whether a technician serviced a Gulfstream in Dubai or a Boeing in Dallas, the same patented process, approved products, and quality assurance standards apply. That uniformity has made Color Glo a trusted partner for aviation operators who cannot afford inconsistency in performance or appearance.

Renew, Don’t Replace

At the heart of Color Glo’s philosophy is a simple but transformative idea: renewal over replacement. In an era when sustainability is more than a corporate checkbox, the company’s approach resonates deeply with the aviation sector’s growing environmental consciousness.

Aircraft interiors are composed of premium materials such as full-grain leather, high-density plastics, and composite panels that too often end up in landfills when worn or damaged. Color Glo’s restoration techniques extend the lifecycle of these materials, diverting thousands of tons of waste each year from disposal. Every restored seat or refurbished sidewall represents both a financial and ecological win.

Tangible operational savings match the environmental benefits. Restoration costs can be up to 70 percent lower than replacement. Because work is completed on-site, clients avoid the added expense and logistics of shipping components to distant repair facilities. For airlines and private operators alike, that efficiency translates into less downtime, fewer emissions, and faster returns to service.

It’s an innovation that fits neatly into the broader push for sustainability in aviation, one of the most resource-intensive industries on the planet. As airlines race to offset carbon footprints through cleaner fuels and lighter materials, interior restoration has emerged as an unexpected yet crucial piece of the puzzle.

Innovation that Keeps Pace with the Sky

Color Glo’s long history has been defined by adaptation. As new cabin materials emerge, the company’s R&D team continually refines its formulations to ensure compatibility and compliance. Its ISO 9001 certification underscores a commitment to quality and continuous improvement across all facets of its operation, from chemistry to customer service.

One of the company’s latest innovations, Age Stop, exemplifies this forward-thinking approach. The product is a UV and stain protectant, preventing leather and vinyl from fading, drying, or cracking under sunlight exposure. Designed to extend the life of restored interiors, Age Stop represents Color Glo’s broader commitment to preventative care, ensuring that every restoration is not just a fix, but an investment in longevity.

Complementing these technical advancements are proactive maintenance programs that allow clients to schedule routine cleaning, conditioning, and inspection services. This ongoing relationship not only preserves the visual appeal of aircraft interiors but also prevents minor wear from evolving into costly repairs. Color Glo’s services have become part of a comprehensive maintenance ecosystem for many commercial carriers, aligning with strict inspection cycles and branding requirements.

A Sustainable, Certifiable Advantage

Beyond its products and patents, Color Glo’s credibility is reinforced by its deep integration into the aviation regulatory framework. The company is certified to operate under FAA Part 145 repair station requirements, allowing it to issue official logbook entries and Form 8130-3 documentation upon project completion. This certification ensures traceability and removes liability from host facilities, giving clients peace of mind that every restoration meets federal standards.

The company also partners with FAA-certified repair stations such as Aero Interior Maintenance to provide legally certifiable services for commercial fleets. This partnership model combines Color Glo’s restoration expertise with established maintenance infrastructure, creating a comprehensive compliance chain that few competitors can match.

The result is aesthetic transformation and legal and safety assurance—a rare duality in aircraft maintenance.

Expanding Horizons

With over fifty years of experience behind it, Color Glo International is entering a new era of growth. A new leadership team appointed in late 2025 is steering the company toward aggressive expansion, particularly in the aviation sector. The strategy centers on franchise development, product innovation, and deeper corporate partnerships across commercial and private aviation markets.

Franchise recruitment is underway in North America, Europe, and Asia, focusing on attracting entrepreneurs interested in sustainable technologies and high-demand B2B services. Existing franchisees are encouraged to expand into multi-unit operations to meet growing demand, especially from MROs and FBOs seeking in-house restoration capabilities.

Simultaneously, the company invests in marketing initiatives to raise brand visibility among corporate clients and fleet operators.

“We really believe the sky is the limit with this,” says Scott Smith the company’s head of business development. “There are so many areas we can move into, and aviation is one of the most exciting because it aligns with our efficiency, safety, and sustainability philosophy.”

Restoring the Future of Flight

Aircraft interiors tell stories. They bear the marks of countless journeys, the quiet wear of service, and the fingerprints of time. Color Glo International sees those stories not as signs of decay but as opportunities for renewal to preserve history, maintain beauty, and extend the life of machines that connect the world.

The company has mastered the art of blending science with sustainability, from its patented restoration processes to its eco-friendly chemistry. It has also helped redefine what maintenance can mean in aviation, not merely repair, but rejuvenation.

Every restored seat that gleams under cabin light, every panel polished back to perfection represents more than a technical achievement. It stands as proof that innovation can protect both luxury and the planet and that, in the right hands, restoration is not just a service. It is a philosophy.