Blackfire Tire and Trim Sealant

[Bunky]

Blackfire Trim and Tire Sealant Review

I received this product in a AutopiaForum giveaway with a condition for a review. This was a new product to the Blackfire line and available in two sizes: 4 oz and 8oz.

Claims:

BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant is far more than a trim dressing. This polymer-based trim restorer forms a bond at the molecular level, restoring the surface while coating it in a durable, protective shell. BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant doesn’t wash off in the rain – it actually causes water to bead up like a wax! Treated surfaces will have a factory-fresh appearance – not a sticky, greasy mess like other so-called trim restorers.

Price: $19.99 for 4 oz, $29.99 for 8 oz.


Product
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-ZsRLMnN/0/X3/DSC_3081-1-X3.jpg

For this review I decided to compare Blackfire to my usual go Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (old version) which is my most used trim product. I do not use trim products on tires but did for this review.

This product was used on a 1997 Dodge Dakota. I cleaned the surfaces with Mothers Back to Black Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner that I like a lot over typical cleaners since they gel consistency stays on the surface.

The mirrors and door pulls are molded out of a rigid plastic. The cowling and front facia below the bumper are much more flexible.

Side by Sides with control swipe

Right mirror- day of application
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-TxPhN88/0/X3/DSC_3142-1-X3.jpg

Left mirror - day of application
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-L89nxqL/0/X3/DSC_3154-1-X3.jpg

Both mirrors -day of application
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-B9LjjF8/0/X3/DSC_3140-1-X3.jpg

Cowling
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-znB4fS9/0/X3/DSC_3108-1-X3.jpg

Door handle
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-sq5zPTM/0/X3/DSC_3159-1-X3.jpg

Front Facia
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-hQC82Bv/0/X3/DSC_3098-1-X3.jpg


Beading pics 3 weeks later

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-7cC6zpp/0/X3/DSC_3170-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-pR83tTP/0/X3/DSC_3172-1-X3.jpg

Cowling[B]
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-9tQDXMD/0/X3/DSC_3174-1-X3.jpg


[B]Tires at application and 3 weeks later Blackfire is on the right
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-8mhp5w2/0/X3/DSC_3168-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-BJBx2Kt/0/X3/DSC_3181-1-X3.jpg

Usage notes:

Scent: Pleasant on contrast to original forumla Ultima`s chemical smell

Consistency: Thick creamy consistency. It is definitely not as oily as Ultima

Application: On the hard plastic mirrors and door pulls, it was more difficult to get an even appearance compared to Ultima. This can be seen in the images.

Ultima definitely spread better and gave a more even look initially. On the softer plastics such as the cowling and facia, there was not really much difference but Ultima had the edge in quick even application.

On the smooth surface Michelin tires, I could not get either to really look even. I have trouble with other tire dressings as well. There is something about the very smooth rubber that resists dressings. I suspect silicones in dressings give a more even look - my theory.

Final appearanceBlackfire tended to darken plastics much more than Ultima. The uneveness did disappear for the most part after several days. As shown in the rain pics, Blackfire tended to bead better and stayed darker,

Pros:
1. Nice scent with no chemical smell
2. Nice darkening effect on plastics
3. Gel consistency - not oily

Cons
1. Not as even coverage initially on some plastics. This is not uncommon with other trim products to behave different on some surfaces compared to others.
2. Price is slightly higher than Ultima ounce for ounce but Blackfire is available in a small size.
3. No help for my Dakota tires but neither was Ultima. I want to try Carpro at some point.

Summary
A nice addition to the Blackfire line.

[Pats300zx]

Fantastic review Al. I got some on the list for my next order. I can`t wait to try it against my "go to" UTTG.

[Bunky]

I corrected some photo links so all the pics now show. The cowling and door pull pics links were broken.

[AutopiaTech]

Thanks for the outstanding review/comparison Bunky. :rockon

With exception to the windshield cowling, all the exterior plastic on my Civic is hard and smooth. I`ve found that a quick buff with a CLEAN, DRY microfiber towel levels out BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant, creating a more uniform appearance on hard, smooth plastic surfaces.

[PA DETAILER]

Thanks for the review AL. I still have mine un opened. I want to use up my WGTS first. Wonder how it is going to compare to WGTS? The BF looks like a great product. So many trim products on the market now!

[trashmanssd]

Nice review, Also one the winners got to get off my butt and do the other car did one they trucks I said I would have pics should get few now been 4-5 weeks since I applied it on that. Never seems to be enough hours in the day.

[Bunky]

Here is a 2 month update.

Blackfire is still darker although much less than initially and still sheets water much faster than the Ultima side. They both are doing better than the control section without any dressing.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-W8jPJCx/2/X3/DSC_3258-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-RTkXs6n/2/X3/DSC_3262-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-F92CdNd/1/X3/DSC_3264-1-X3.jpg

BLACKFIRE is on right in every shot.

:bigups

[RaysWay]

Great long term review. Thanks for testing!

[Ronkh]

Here is a 2 month update.

Blackfire is still darker although much less than initially and still sheets water much faster than the Ultima side. They both are doing better than the control section without any dressing.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-W8jPJCx/2/X3/DSC_3258-1-X3.jpg
BLACKFIRE is on right in every shot.

:bigups

Pretty impressive!

[Bunky]

Another update..

Blackfire is on the right in both pics. It still is darker than Ultima and both are visibly present compared to control section. On the softer plastic cowling there was no obvious difference.


http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-MmkSg6b/0/X3/DSC_3273-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-Tw4579Q/0/X3/DSC_3277-1-X3.jpg

[Accumulator]

Bunky- Thanks for the update!

Did you ever come up with some tweak to the prep/application process that might diminish the BF`s initial uneveness? One reason why I like the Ultima so much is that it`s, uhm...Accumulator-proof if I do the prep right (usually Griot`s Rubber Prep wiped off with AkyraClean).

[Bunky]

For the unevenness, it was only on certain hard plastics and my tires. Buffing does help but evens out after a few days. My truck tires do not like any kind of dressing.

The original application was 8/24/14 so it has been about 15 weeks.

[Accumulator]

Bunky- Ah, OK. Heh heh, I`d hate to find out that my plastics were among the "likely to be uneven"; even if it did even out later that`d mean the vehicle`d have to sit and that isn`t always feasible. I`d really freak if the unevenness *didn`t* sort itself out!

Eh, it`ll take me years and years to use up my BF anyhow, but I do find this comparison intriguing and it`ll be interesting to see how long it takes for either/both product to really die off. Directly comapring the Ultima and BF this way is perfect for my interest in the topic!

[Bunky]

Here is another update. It has been about 5 months (original review was several weeks after application) Blackfire is always on right side in picture.

Blackfire still has better breading (was doing a wash today) and looks darker at most angles.

The difference really depends on angle. It is holding up fairly well but Ultima is also still noticeably different than the control section (no sealant).

I guess I could have fixed the color balance.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-tpBR7nT/0/X3/DSC_3369-1-X3.jpg

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-9GwPP49/0/X3/DSC_3372-1-X3.jpg
http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-djtS7BD/0/X3/DSC_3376-1-X3.jpg

[Bunky]

The final update after 9 months.

The Blackfire side (right) is still noticeably darker than the Ultima (old formula) side (left). The control strip between them is slightly lighter. The effect is more apparent off angle.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-2cnN4xj/0/X3/DSC_3676-1-X3.jpg


The more apparent difference is the difference in sheeting of water. The Blackfire side still sheets fairly rapidly compared to Ultima (old formula) and the control strip. There is a distinct difference.


http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-ChsSNs4/0/X3/DSC_3665-1-X3.jpg


I ended up redoing all the trim this weekend with the Blackfire. It still has a tendency to not coat evenly and takes some time to get an even look.