Crash! Customs

General information

Chad Kruegel (aka Crash!)
Chad was hanging out in the garage and turning a wrench at the age of three. He is a self-made, second generation custom paint and body shop owner. His first real job was as a paint and body guy at Stone Valley Paint Works, his father's own shop. He executed his first full vehicle customization at the age of 18, a '78 slammed yellow malibu with custom paint, window tint and a killer interior, which he still owns today. This was the true beginning of his success, as the car won multiple awards locally. During college he gained experience in the business end of a production body shop while employed as a service technician. After obtaining his B.A. in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he worked for seven years as a graphic artist creating logo apparel for a licensed Harley-Davidson company. Chad answered his calling soon after and established Crash! Customs and has gained 10+ years of experience as a sole-proprietor, having been involved in all aspects of his business. The name for his newly created company came naturally. Having always been a daredevil with bikes and cars, he earned the nickname "Crash!" at a very early age. It was only fitting that he carry his childhood nickname into the business, as he is to this day still a daredevil when it comes to creating one of a kind, edgy, customs for his clients.

He was commisioned in 2000 as an independent contractor for the Corporate Harley-Davidson Restoration Department for paint and body restoration on their bikes for the new museum. Currently, some of his work can be seen on display in the museum. He continues to have a strong working relationship with the company.

Crash! Customs has developed a strong local and growing national presence as a top-quality customization shop, having completed projects for customers in Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin. In addition, an emerging international presence has been established through a customer base in Canada. The company has built a solid repeat customer base and continues to grow every year.

Chad is an active participant in the local and national car community and has won multiple local and national car show awards. He is a member of Goodguys, and a lifetime member of NSRA.