Spotlight Interview with Kathryn Ferrando, founder of Kat's Ultimate Shine.
Every now and then, a local business reminds you that craft still matters — that doing something well isn’t just a service, it’s a calling.
This month, that story belongs to Kat’s Ultimate Shine in Canby, Oregon, where one woman’s dedication to precision, polish, and people has become a quiet local legend.
Kathryn “Kat” Fernando isn’t just an auto detailer. She’s a perfectionist, a mom, and someone who genuinely lights up when a car looks brand new again.
“I just love making people happy,” she says with a grin. “When they see their car shining again — like it did the day they bought it — that’s the best feeling.”
Kathryn’s been in the detailing game for over a decade, but a few years ago, she took the leap to go independent — building Kat’s Ultimate Shine, a business rooted right here in Canby. She works both on-site and mobile, so whether your driveway or her covered workspace is the backdrop, she’ll have your vehicle gleaming like it rolled out of a showroom.
Let’s get one thing straight: Kathryn isn’t your average “wash-and-wipe” service.
She’s the kind who notices everything — the wax trapped in door seams, the crumbs hiding between the seats, the dirt clinging to the wheel wells. “If there’s residue in the corners,” she says, “I’m not done.”
Her process blends technique with patience — soft mitts, hand washes, precision tools, and a pressure washer that knows restraint. Every inch gets the same attention, from the lug nuts to the headlights.
She laughs remembering a car wash she once took her old Jeep through: “I had to come home and hand-wash it anyway. They missed half the dirt.” That moment became her fuel. “Now, I make sure nobody else feels that disappointment. You’re paying for care — and that’s what I deliver.”
Detailing isn’t just vanity; it’s vehicle longevity. Paint protection, oxidation prevention, even resale value — all of it improves with consistent care.
Kathryn’s favorite upgrade? Ceramic coating.
She calls it the “armor of shine.”
“Wax lasts maybe six months,” she says. “Ceramic can last six years — or a lifetime. It’s more up front, but it’s worth it. It protects your car from the Oregon weather and keeps that glossy finish for years.”
Kathryn has called Canby home for more than 20 years. She’s part of the town’s rhythm — a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a mom who shows up when neighbors need help, and someone who believes kindness should drive business.
“I just love helping people,” she says simply. “Whether it’s with their car or something else, that’s what I’m here for.”
And that’s exactly what makes Kat’s Ultimate Shine the kind of business that deserves the spotlight — a company built not just on skill, but on sincerity.
If your car’s lost its sparkle, Kathryn’s the one to call.
✨ Book online: katsultimateshine.glossgenius.com
✨ Follow: @KatsUltimateShine on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
✨ Call: (503) 314-6922
Because your car deserves more than a wash — it deserves the ultimate shine.
Rooted Local. Radiantly Visible.