We Look Forward to CLeo 2021!

Since 2014, the time honored ColorBond tradition is the bestowment of the CLEO Award. Presented annually at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the CLeo Award recognizes individuals who have shown excellence using ColorBond car interior paint to restore, or restyle the interior of any type of automobile. Award recipients receive the CLeo Crystal trophy, $500 and their vehicle is showcased in the ColorBond booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. They’re also provided with a space in the SEMA organized 100-car parade down the Las Vegas Strip! The CLeo Crystal trophy and $500.00 are presented to the winner in a special award ceremony that takes place in the ColorBond booth during the show.

Unfortunately, the SEMA Show has been cancelled this year, and therefore the CLeo will not be awarded for 2020. This is a big disappointment for us at ColorBond as we truly look forward to this annual event. However, we do anticipate presenting the 2021 CLEO Award at the 2021 SEMA Show.

The CLeo was established to honor Mr. Leo Kagan who was responsible for moving the SEMA Show in 1977 from Anaheim, California to its current location in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show is the world’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show. Mr. Kagan is a spokesperson for ColorBond and a guest of honor at the ColorBond CLeo award ceremonies.

Leo Kagan

“The CLeo Award was not only created to recognize excellent craftsmanship and to honor Leo Kagan” states ColorBond President Malcolm Johnson. “The award also serves to create awareness among Do-It-Yourself people and Professional Automotive Restylers and Automotive Reconditioners as to how truly easy it is to achieve, easy excellent results with ColorBond products. What can be created is only limited by the imagination”.

As we won’t be presenting the award this year, we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate past CLEO Award winners.

CLeo Award Winner Hall of Fame

2014 CLeo Award – Ken Bolen

The inaugural CLeo Award was presented in 2014 to Mr. Ken Bolen for his beautiful restoration of a 1969 Cadillac Deville. The 20-foot-long Cadillac Deville convertible was owned by Kay Stevens, a singer, entertainer and celebrity guest host and was frequently seen in the company of the Rat Pack. Ken purchased the vehicle from Miss Stevens for $2,600 in 1994, and the Caddy then sat in a garage until 2013. The vehicle was restored in 2014. Ken spent a total of $350 for ColorBond LVP Refinisher car interior paint and restored the leather seats, door panels, convertible boot and dash panel to the original color, Diamond White. Reskinning the leather interior would have cost between $3,000-$5,000.

Ken says:

“I am amazed at the transformation that Colorbond was able to achieve”

Ken Bolen

Ken's Refinished Cadillac Interior

2015 CLeo Award – Jay Van Houten

Jay Van Houten, from MARS Automotive Reconditioning Center, was the winner of the 2nd Annual CLeo Award for his expert refurbishing of the interior of a 1954 Rolls-Royce. The car was originally built for a Baron and had been purchased by his customer from an estate, where it had sat neglected for many years. This all-aluminum bodied Silver Wraith may be one of only four from this coach builder. The customer wanted the interior restored, but also wanted the original seat covers, door panels and other soft trim retained. So, Jay used ColorBond to refinish those components. The results were excellent and saved hundreds of dollars - which reupholstering would have cost. The car is now used by the customer as a part of his limousine service.

Jay says:

“Of course, ColorBond made my customer happy. The results were fantastic. The ease of application, the speed it went on, and the durability of the finish are phenomenal. I now use ColorBond in place of the hand mixed interior paints I used to use. I’m really pleased with the product – it has done a great job.”

To learn more about the 1954 Rolls-Royce interior restoration project Click Here

Jay Van Houten Receiving the 2015 CLeo Award $500 Check

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Rolls Royce Sitting Pretty

2016 CLeo Award – Carlos Medrano

The Fourth Annual CLeo Award was presented to Carlos Medrano for the fantastic transformation of the interior of his 2013 Honda Civic Si from black, gray and stock to teal, white and wow! Carlos had the ColorBond car interior paint color-matched to his teal vinyl seat inserts and then applied it to the hard-plastic interior surfaces. Including the console, dash and door panels.  

Carlos says:

“Malcolm at ColorBond sent containers of blue, white and red ColorBond paint concentrate, which I had mixed to perfectly match my teal vinyl seat inserts. The quality of the finish is excellent. The interior paint work was done two years ago and it’s holding up great. There is no fade and there are no chips.”

Carlos is in the running for the 2018 CLeo Award and is currently transforming his interior for a whole new look. We will be covering his project in upcoming segments.

Carlos Medrano Accepting the 2016 CLeo Crystal trophy

Honda Civic Si Interior – Before (representation)

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Carlos’ Restyled Honda Civic Si

2017 CLeo Award – Eddie Black

The Third Annual CLeo Award was earned by Mr. Eddie Black, owner of Blacks Body Shop located in Adairville, Georgia. Eddie customized a 2012 Camaro for Vic Beasley, an NFL All Star outside Linebacker who plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The interior was painted Lamborghini Orange, and Purple with ColorBond LVP and no interior replacements part were used. All components are original.  The vivid colors honor Mr. Beasley’s alma mater, Clemson University. The three hundred and fifty man-hours that were needed to complete the exterior and interior reflect the artistry and dedication of Mr. Black and his staff.

Eddie says:

“ColorBond is extremely easy to apply. It’s a great product and holds up well. Other brands of interior paint we have used peel-up. For example, we painted a convertible top and it’s gone up and down many-many times. There is no wear showing on the ColorBond finish. Same with the interior panels we painted – where they get rubbed by getting in and out, there is no signs of wear. We will use ColorBond from now on.”

To learn more about the Vic Beasley Camaro build Click Here

Eddie Black Accepting the 2017 CLeo Award

Eddie Black Accepting the 2017 CLeo Award

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Vic Beasley and His Transformed Camaro

2018 CLeo Award – Carlos Medrano

Carlos Medrano was once again the winner of the ColorBond CLeo Award.

Restyling the same car that received the 2016 award, Carlos’ 2013 Honda Civic Si turned out incredibly well and the colors went together beautifully. The interior that was originally teal and black was transformed to a stunning white. Of note, he was able to paint ColorBond LVP Refinisher on top of that previously existing without any build-up or loss of surface detail.

Carlos says:

“Thank you for the opportunity that ColorBond gave me. It was a pleasure and honor to represent the company once again. And the icing on the cake is being the proud recipient of the CLeo award for a second time. It’s priceless.” states Carlos Medrano.

Carlos Medrano

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2019 CLeo Award – Steven Sampaga

Our most recent CLeo Award winner was Steven Sampaga, who used ColorBond LVP Refinisher and ColorBond Trim Color to transform the interior of his Nissan 350Z into a real showstopper. The results Steven achieved using ColorBond products are beautiful and we are truly honored he chose ColorBond products to restyle his pride and joy. As with all CLeo Award winners over the years, Steven’s car was displayed in the ColorBond booth during the show and was photographed more than any other vehicle we have ever shown.

Steven says:

“ColorBond is hands down the best automotive interior paint product I have ever used. The quality is top notch and it really helped bring our interior to the next level!”

Steven Sampaga

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2021 CLeo Award – You?

Please check back in 2021 for your chance to enter the CLeo Award competition. Perhaps you will be the recipient of the 2021 CLeo Award!