[5] It was while working in a Packard body shop in Detroit that Ziebart saw the effects of rust and began looking for a way to protect cars against it.

Hartmann was an MBA graduate from the University of Michigan who was recruited from Shatterproof Glass Corporation where he was the company's controller.

By the end of the decade, Ziebart had increased the number of franchised locations worldwide to over 650, while at the same time doubling the retail volume of US franchisees.

In 1980, Ziebart began to diversify its business format and its service offerings by including sunroofs, running boards, window tinting and other automotive accessories.

All American Motors cars received a new rust-proofing process called "Ziebart Factory Rust Protection".

This included aluminized trim screws, plastic inner fender liners, galvanized steel in every exterior body panel, and a deep-dip bath in an epoxy-based primer.

Ziebart has also partnered to co-brand with Rhino Linings USA, which offers polyurethane spray-on liners for truck beds.

Ziebart's advertising agencies of record through the years have included Meltzer Aaron & Lemen (San Francisco, CA),[14] Ross Roy (Detroit, MI),[15] Simons Michelson Zieve (Troy, MI)[16] and Doyle Dane Bernbach (New York, NY).