Color-Plus has been supplying leather care products and water-base leather and vinyl colorants to the automotive after-market since 1985. For eight of those years Color-Plus was owned and operated by Mr. Joseph Maliszewski. Joe headed Color-Plus with friendliness and attention to service. Very quickly Color-Plus established a reputation for quality products that out-performed all others. These water-base, easy-to-use products meet the demanding standards of the professionals restoring antique and classic automobiles. Amateurs and hobbyists also achieved professional results. 
The origin of Color-Plus goes back many years to The Clausen Company in Fords, New Jersey. The Clausen Company under the direction of its current CEO, Mr. Donald J. Peck, is still providing automotive refinishing products to the after-market industry.
It was during the years that Leatherique was a subsidiary of The Clausen Company, that Joe Maliszewski was hired in 1978 as an assistant to Mr. Peck. Joe apprenticed under Mr. Peck who was his mentor, tutor and personal friend. After Mr. Peck died in 1985, it was no longer viable for The Clausen Company to continue to subsidize the Leatherique division. That is when Leatherique was passed to Mr. George Pavlisko, the current owner. Mr. Pavlisko’s father, George, Sr. was a close friend to Mr. Tyrus Peck. They were both auto enthusiasts and had been members of the same car club for many years. In honor of the friendship between his father, Tyrus Peck and George Pavlisko, Sr., Donald Peck gave George Pavlisko, Jr. the Leatherique division of The Clausen Company. It was a gentleman’s agreement and no money was exchanged.
At the same time that Donald Peck gave George Pavlisko Jr. Leatherique, he also gave Joe Maliszewski permission to use what he had learned during his years working with Tyrus Peck at The Clausen Company to start his own company. Joe named his company Color-Plus. Color-Plus opened for business in Kearny, New Jersey in March of 1985 and, since then, has continually provided superior products for leather restoration, leather maintenance, and the re-coloring of leather and vinyl.
Joseph Maliszewski died suddenly of a heart attack in 1993. I purchased Color-Plus from his estate in September of that same year. It needed some work. Some of the original raw materials had been discontinued. Raw materials that were recommended as substitutes had to be tested before becoming part of the proprietary formulation for Surflex, the colorant for leather and vinyl. Pigments that Joe had used were no longer available. Putting it all together again presented a real challenge. A friend of mine introduced me to the executive in charge of the color-matching lab for AT & T. They recommended their color consultant, Resource Color Control Technology, Inc. With guidance from Resource, consulting from chemists familiar with the raw materials, and clients who shared information and techniques, Color-Plus has evolved into the Company it is today. The products are made in small batches in accordance with strict quality specifications. Each can of Surflex is made on the day it is shipped. In addition to accurate color-matching, each order receives attention to detail as well as personalized service.
Joanne Price
July 2007