About Canadian Gearhead

Canadian Gearhead was founded by Tim Rempel in Ontario, Canada. Based on a passion for cars and taking care of them, Canadian Gearhead serves as a source of answers to many of your automotive questions. From detailing tips to buyer’s guides, modifications, and maintenance, there’s something for every car enthusiast at CanadianGearhead.com!

Canadian Gearhead’s Story

I’ve been obsessed with cars and trucks from a very early age. How early? Well, I’ve been told by my mom that the first time she handed me a rattle as a baby, I pushed it along the ground while making a “vrooooom” noise. Yup – that early.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to work on some pretty awesome cars. The thing is, I wasn’t always a detailing expert. When I bought my first car (a 1989 Toyota Corolla SR5), I knew the importance of keeping it clean and waxed thanks to my Dad and Grandfather. But I was completely new to the detailing world.

Crimson Red MR2

Fast track a few years later, and 19-year-old me had just made my first big purchase in life – a 1991 Toyota MR2.

I started with the typical over-the-counter products from Canadian Tire. I worked my way up to the point of hand polishing the car with the Meguiar’s 3-step system (anybody remember that?!).

I needed to know more. I talked to car show winners about how they prepped their cars for display. I talked to Corvette owners about the wonders of Zaino. I spent hours upon hours scouring the internet trying to absorb as much detailing information as humanly possible.

My first attempt at paint correction absolutely blew my mind. I knew then and there that this was a skill I wanted to master. And that’s exactly what I did.

As the industry changed, I kept up to date on the latest products and techniques. Then I’d test them out on one of my vehicles. Eventually, it got to the point where people were beginning to notice the shine I was able to not only achieve but maintain on all of my vehicles.

One friend asked me to help him with his car. Then another friend. And another. The next thing I knew, I had my own local auto detailing business.

In January 2018, I decided that I wanted to share my knowledge, experience, and passion for cars with the internet. That’s when Canadian Gearhead was born.

I could see the internet’s reaction to the content I was writing and the message was clear – people love learning about taking care of their cars.

Now, 6 years and 200+ articles later, Canadian Gearhead has built an audience both here on the blog as well as on Youtube. We have a pretty heavy focus on Toyotas but you’ll find that much of the detailing and maintenance advice applies to all vehicles.

Canadian Gearhead YouTube

It’s no secret that the future in which people choose to consume information is with video. We all need something to entertain us in the bathroom (this isn’t the 1990’s anymore).

I originally planned to use the YouTube channel to drive traffic to this site. One day on the way to the beach, I pulled off on the side of the road to talk about my 4runner in an impromptu video. Today, it has over half a million views.

Not one to let an opportunity go to waste, I chose to build out the video side of the business. I’ve recently surpassed 17,000 subscribers and received over 1.1 million views this year.

For more behind-the-scenes type of content, make sure to follow me on Instagram and sign up for my monthly newsletter. That’s where I share more of what life is like as a full-time automotive blogger and Youtuber.

4th gen 4runner off road

About Tim

I got a job at the Toyota factory in Cambridge, Ontario shortly after high school. I started out delivering materials on tow motors, reach trucks, and forklifts in the South plant that built the Lexus RX350.

Once I got hired on full time, I moved to the North plant where I built the Toyota Corolla and Matrix with my own 2 hands. I learned a lot about the company and the manufacturing process while I worked there. One of the biggest lessons they teach is the importance of continuous improvement and maintaining a high level of quality. I like to think I’ve carried that on to other aspects of my life.

In 2016, I started a business that helped people list their cars for sale privately rather than taking a loss by trading them in at the dealership. It was called LIST3D and I used a 3 step approach (detailing, photography, and writing a for sale ad) to make clients’ cars stand out from the rest.

During this time, I also did a lot of high end detailing – particularly paint correction and ceramic coating.

Now I’m a full time content creator. Canadian Gearhead takes up most of my time but I also own a few other websites and 1 other Youtube channel. HD-Fanatic.com is my latest project and it’s all about Harley Davidsons. Feel free to check it out!

Between building them for years, owning 4 of them, and even my very first car being one, I guess you can say I’m a Toyota guy. I currently own a 2007 4runner, a 2006 Tacoma, and a one-of-a-kind 1991 MR2.

Personal life

I’m a simple man. I live roughly an hour outside of Toronto with my wife and son.

I ride a Harley Davidson, lift weights at the gym every morning, and try to get out on my mountain bike whenever I have a chance. I haven’t met a bag of potato chips that I didn’t like.

Family is very important to me. I’m a self-proclaimed mama’s boy and my dad is one of my best friends. I’ve always been very close with my parents and my dad can definitely beat up your dad (but he won’t – he’s a really nice guy).

All of my buddies are car guys. If we aren’t at some type of event/meet/show, we’re likely at the coffee shop shooting the breeze and chatting about cars. Surrounding myself with people who share the same passion is important to me.

My wife and I got married in 2021. For our honeymoon, we packed up the 4runner, hooked up a camper trailer, and drove across Canada to the Rocky Mountains for more than a month. You’ll see pictures and video clips from that trip scattered throughout the website and YouTube channel.

Living on the road with just my wife and my trusty Toyota was the best adventure I’ve ever been on. It made me realize that I need to get out and explore more and I hope to do more trips in the future. It’s amazing what places you’ll see just by getting behind the wheel and driving!

You can contact me here:

The Writing Team

Canadian Gearhead has a small team of writers who are passionate about the subjects they write about. Each of them has real world experience in their field so you can trust that they know what they’re talking about.

Jeremy Blatz

Jeremy got his start in the automotive industry in 2012 as a detailer. He also tried sales and a role in the service department at a Chrysler dealership before deciding to become an automotive technician for Volkswagen.

He currently works in an independent repair facility but dreams of combining his two passions by opening up his own repair and detailing shop.

Drew Barnett

Drew is an avid DIYer when it comes to maintaining, repairing, and modifying his vehicles.

He currently owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited with the 4.7 V8.

It’s a 2WD model but that doesn’t stop him from taking it off-roading any chance that he gets.

Super Red SW20 MR2

Mitch Graham

Mitch bought the first 1993 Toyota MR2 that he could get his hands on at the age of 16.

He and his dad did a lot of bodywork to remove surface rust and had it resprayed in factory red.

That’s when he became obsessive about paint and learning the ins and outs of auto detailing.

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