Yelo Autosports has been the East Metro's trusted auto-protection studio since 2015 — established by a Marine, run like a fire station, executed at concours level.
Yelo Autosports was established in 2015 in a two-car garage with a single principle: highest-quality work, paired with client education. Tou wanted owners to understand exactly what was being done to their car — and walk away knowing why it mattered.
Today the shop is a full studio in Little Canada with a master tinter, a PPF specialist, and a dedicated detailer. The discipline never left — every car gets the same focus Tou put on the first one out of that garage.
We are not just a car wash. We are your local friends and local guides when it comes to everything detailing, window tint, and paint protection film.
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About the Founder
Yelo Autosports was founded by Tou Lo — a life defined by discipline, service, and an uncompromising commitment to doing things the right way. Born in France to Hmong parents who fled the war in Vietnam, Tou immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up learning that success is built through resilience, hard work, and pride in what you create.
At 18, Tou enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where precision, accountability, and discipline became second nature. After his military service, at 25, he became a full-time Firefighter/EMT — a profession built on trust, teamwork, and performing under pressure when it matters most. While serving the city, Tou began building Yelo Autosports, balancing the fire service and his growing business for six years.
After a nine-year career in the fire department, he made the decision to pursue Yelo full-time — building it into a shop driven by his passion for cars and a team of skilled professionals dedicated to the highest level of automotive protection. Today, Tou leads with the same mindset that shaped his life: discipline, craftsmanship, and pride in every detail — while still pushing himself through marathons and Ironman-distance triathlon training. That pursuit of excellence is what defines the culture at Yelo Autosports.
Master Tinter
Thousands of cars under his belt. Knows every trick in the book — and the laws of every state. The technical mind behind every tint job that leaves the shop.
PPF Installer
Fast learner, patient hands. Specializes in precision film work where the difference between great and 'almost' is one millimeter. Off the clock he's fishing.
Detailer
Methodical attention to detail on every car that comes through the bay. Hobbies include fishing and anime — and rebuilding paint that nobody else wants to touch.
We don't do trends. We study with the world's leading auto-protection masters — France, Germany, Belgium, and the top U.S. studios — and bring techniques that have been pressure-tested in their shops back to the Twin Cities.
Bazouger, France
We had the opportunity to visit Quentin of QR Detailing — a respected independent specialist in ceramic coatings and paint protection film. The visit was a deep technical exchange on installation, product selection, and quality control. Collaborating with top professionals in our field reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement.
Montville, France
A multi-day seminar with Benoît of Pumpkin Auto — a French detailing and paint protection film studio we've followed and admired for years. The visit was an exchange of knowledge on detailing, paint protection, and installation technique, plus a window into how top European studios approach the work differently.
Mira Auto Wellness · Germany
We linked up with Mira Auto Wellness — Fahrzeugaufbereitung Beulendoktor — for a day of collaboration and refining technique. Their facility layout is an efficiency masterclass, and the partnership opened up a more refined, productive style of PPF installation that we've since brought back to the Twin Cities.
Bavaria Motors · Harlbeke, Belgium
A full day at Bavaria Motors with Bart, their Gtechniq ceramic coating and PPF specialist. Conversations focused on efficiency, paint correction, paint refinement, and protection — exploring both the similarities and the differences in our techniques. We came back with new tools for serving Twin Cities clients.
Châtelet-en-Brie, France
We teamed up with Julien and his team at Sud Esthetique 77 — a refined French paint-correction studio in a charming little town. Their client pickup area alone is a study in detail. The visit was a full-day exchange on philosophies and hands-on technique with one of the most thoughtful operators we've met.
Perfect Detailing · Lille, France
A visit with Mikael at Perfect Detailing, a fellow Gtechniq ceramic coating installer in Lille. Mikael's facility is one of the most thoughtfully engineered we've ever seen — including a rainwater collection system reused for washes. We exchanged techniques and business processes that have already shaped how we run our shop.
Gloss University · Spring Green, WI
We were honored to be invited by David P. of Oberk Car Care to instruct alongside Eron Knox, Jason Killmer, and Matt Arendt at the Ringbrothers facility — multiple-time SEMA Battle of the Builders winners. As a former student of Gloss University, returning as an instructor was a full-circle moment.
Chicago Auto Pros & Opticle
We were invited by Chicago Auto Pros to serve as a Master Tinter trainer, teaching new tinters alongside industry experts Jesus and Eman. Both are deeply respected for their expertise — collaborating with them to certify a new wave of skilled tinters across the country was the kind of opportunity we never take lightly.
Detail Mafia · Big Bear, CA
A five-day course led by Renny Doyle, a Master Detailer known for leading the Detail Mafia — the team that details Air Force One. The certification covered every aspect of auto detailing, from exterior and interior to wet sanding and paint touch-ups. Studying under one of the most prominent names in the industry is a privilege.
DIY Detail · USA
Trained with Yvan Lacroix — 35-year industry veteran, Brand Ambassador for Lake Manufacturing, and owner of DIY Detail. His background as former VP of Opti-Coat and Director of Training at Polymer Technologies makes him a rare wealth of knowledge. We brought back techniques that directly elevate the work we do for our clients.
Stop by the studio in Little Canada. We'll walk you through your vehicle, talk through what makes sense, and quote it on the spot.