A passion for cars and craftsmanship drives the precision work behind Gen One Customs.
Gen One Customs began the same way many lifelong automotive passions do — with a driver’s license and a group of friends sharing a love for cars.
“My love for automobiles started basically from the time I got my driver’s license,” says Jeff Lagasse. “On Saturday nights, we would cruise Ocala Boulevard, gather in parking lots with friends and just hang out with our customized vehicles.”
Those early nights around cars eventually led to traveling across the state for truck shows, setting up displays and spending time with others who shared the same enthusiasm for vehicles and craftsmanship. Over time, that passion naturally turned into a career.
Lagasse kept himself involved in automotive work, including buffing and polishing vehicles, and eventually started a business that steadily grew into what is now Gen One Customs.
About eight years ago, his wife, Amy Sutton, suggested he look into ceramic coating technology, which was still relatively new at the time.
“My wife told me, ‘You should check into that ceramic coating,’ so I did,” Lagasse says. “Back then, there were only a few companies making it.”
After experimenting with several products, he discovered System X, a professional ceramic coating known for its durability and performance. “The product was amazing, and we’ve been with them ever since.”
As demand grew, the business expanded into a larger space before eventually purchasing the building the company operates out of today. The Ocala location is now a climate-controlled facility designed specifically for the precision work required in automotive surface protection.
The company has continued to grow with the addition of a sister location in St. Petersburg, operating as Gen One Customs St. Pete.
Over time, Gen One Customs expanded its services well beyond ceramic coatings to include paint protection film, window tinting and marine protection applications.
Paint protection film, often referred to as PPF, creates a transparent physical barrier between a vehicle and the elements. The film helps shield paint from rock chips, scratches and everyday wear that can occur during normal driving. Many modern films also feature self-healing properties that allow minor abrasions to disappear with heat exposure.
Lagasse has spent decades refining the process, combining traditional paint correction techniques with modern protective technologies to achieve a finish that not only looks exceptional but is built to last.
The process of protecting a vehicle often begins with paint correction. This meticulous process involves high-speed buffing and polishing techniques that remove surface imperfections such as swirl marks, oxidation, scratches and holograms. Correcting the paint restores depth and clarity to the finish and prepares the surface for protective coatings or films that lock in the corrected finish and protect it for years to come.
In some cases, vehicles are wet sanded before polishing. Wet sanding uses fine-grit abrasives and water to level the surface of the paint, removing texture and imperfections to create a smoother, more uniform finish. The result is a deep, glass-like reflection that dramatically enhances the vehicle’s overall appearance.
Lagasse has spent decades refining the process, combining traditional paint correction techniques with modern protective technologies to achieve a finish that not only looks exceptional but is built to last.
Unlike traditional waxes or sealants that sit on top of a vehicle’s paint, ceramic coatings form a molecular bond with the clear coat, effectively becoming part of the surface itself.
Once applied, the coating enhances gloss while providing protection against UV exposure, contaminants, road debris and chemical damage. The surface becomes extremely hydrophobic, meaning water and dirt bead up and slide away more easily, helping vehicles stay cleaner for longer periods of time.
“Some of the most memorable customers haven’t been memorable because of what they drove. It’s the appreciation for the work we completed. Many clients save for months before bringing in a vehicle that holds special meaning to them.”
—Jeff Lagasse, Gen One Customs
As a certified installation center for System X ceramic coatings, Gen One Customs applies the technology using a thorough preparation process designed to ensure long-term durability and performance.
Over the years, the company’s reputation for meticulous application and attention to detail has attracted a wide range of vehicles, from luxury and exotic models to cherished personal projects and restored classics.
For Lagasse, however, the most memorable customers are not always the ones driving the most expensive vehicles.
“Some of the most memorable customers haven’t been memorable because of what they drove,” he says. “It’s the appreciation for the work we completed. Many clients save for months before bringing in a vehicle that holds special meaning to them.”
Seeing the excitement and gratitude from those customers, he says, remains one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Word-of-mouth referrals have played a significant role in the company’s continued growth.
“When customers tell their friends about us, I always try to add a bonus service at no charge,” he says. “The same goes for someone bringing us a second vehicle.”
Behind the scenes, Gen One Customs operates very much as a family business. Jeff and his wife, Amy, share responsibilities that help keep the company running smoothly, with Jeff overseeing the shop’s operations and technical work while Amy manages the business side.
“Amy, and I split the duties of keeping this machine running,” Lagasse says. “In addition to being a real estate agent, she handles our finances, payroll and keeps our image up to her high standards.”
Amy has also been involved in shaping the appearance of the business itself, selecting colors for the shop’s exterior paint and helping guide the redesign of office spaces within the ceramic coating and paint protection film departments.
In addition to automotive protection services, Gen One Customs has expanded into marine applications through the use of Yacht Armor marine protection film.
Designed specifically for boats, Yacht Armor provides a durable layer of protection against the harsh conditions experienced on the water. The film helps prevent UV fading, protects against abrasions and dock rash, and features self-healing technology that allows minor scratches to regenerate over time.
By creating a strong protective barrier on gelcoat and painted surfaces, the film helps reduce long-term maintenance while preserving the appearance of a vessel for years to come.
While the company offers a wide range of advanced protection services, Gen One Customs maintains a focused approach to its work. The shop specializes in ceramic coating and paint correction for luxury, exotic, antique and showroom-quality vehicles rather than offering basic detailing services.
For Lagasse, the goal remains the same as it was when he first began working on cars years ago — delivering craftsmanship that customers appreciate and trust.
“Looking ahead, I’d love to see Gen One Customs expand through future franchise opportunities while maintaining the same level of quality and customer experience,” Lagasse says. “With Gen One Customs St. Pete now up and running, I think we’ve taken that first step. And most importantly, I want to thank Ocala and the surrounding communities for the decades of trust they’ve given us.”
From weekend cruises on Ocala Boulevard to a growing business serving automotive enthusiasts across Florida, the passion that started it all continues to drive Gen One Customs forward.
Gen One Customs
2401 NE 18th Pl, Ste. A, Ocala
352-286-5929
