BLACKFIRE Detailing Clay Cleaner & Extender Review

[Chuckmotor]

I`ve seen some of the cheaper 3M products at Wal-Mart, but I was wondering if any of you know where I can buy FI-II and SMR at a chain store or anywhere else locally. Shipping and handling charges is not worth a bottle or two of polish.

[imported_BretFraz]

NAPA auto parts is the best place to find lots of 3M. Some of their products are sold at Pep Boys too. Worth a look.

[dengelson]

Check out FinishMaster they are a supplier to autobody and paint shops. They also have a branch in Charlotte.

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[Lemonxxs]

My wal mart has it near the auto paint section check under the body fillers and stuff...dig deep on them shelves!!!

[imported_Intermezzo]

The Pep Boys in my area has Finesse-It and Swirl Remover, as well as IHG, which I just bought today.



Isn`t shipping free on the 3M Automotive Care website?

[Glozz]

Look in your phone book and check out "Autobody Supply Stores" in your area. That is what I`ve done and they carry 3M products and if they don`t they can get them. Also you`ll most likely get a discount on them as well. Pep Boys and other chain stores will not grant discounts.



You can also call the following number to get in touch with a 3M technician and order a cataloge and get a local dealer name: 1-877-666-2277



Hope this helps

[imported_Bunky]

Review: BLACKFIRE Detailing Clay Cleaner and Extender
(using the CEE DOG Method - CDM)



http://www.properautocare.com/blclclex.html

Product Description:
The description matches the name. It is intended to clean clay to extend the useful life of clay. Mfg`s description claims it extends clay usefulness from 3 to 4 cars per bar to 10 to 12 or more vehicles per bar.

Initial Product Observations:
1.- Packaging: Black Fire black bottles
2.- Directions: Simple to follow
3.- Consistency: Liquid
4.- Color: Greenish
5.- Scent: like window cleaner (alcoholish)
6.- Size: 16 oz
7.- Current Price: $9.99
8.- Price Per oz: $0.62 (based on 16 oz. bottle)
9.- Price Per oz after diluting: N/A use straight
10.- Additional sizes: 128 oz.
11. Manufacturer: Black Fire
13.- Made in: USA

Additional products used:
1. used bar of Meguiars clay

This product was included in my order from PAC when I asked for a sub for the BFWD promo since I just got BFWD a few months ago. Until I received it, I never knew such a product existed and no one seems to talk about it.

The premise is that you basically clean the clay as you go during claying. For my review, I just used a bar of Meg`s clay with a tracer of Mothers since it was the dirtiest. (Mothers was in same container and I had combined them).

Per the instructions, you just take the clay, spray some cleaner, and massage it into the clay bar.

Depending on how much clay cleaner you use, it does tend to generate the film you see on my hands. I had no idea how much to use but I tend to use too much of everything so this is no different.

Here are some pics.

Clay before:


DSC_1841-1

Kneading it since the entire clay was dirty


DSC_1842-1

After

DSC_1844-1

Pros:
1.- It did clean the dirty clay (wonder where the crud went)
2. $9.99 for any 16 oz product except for glass cleaner seems to be a bargain these days

Cons:
1. None seen. See unknowns

Unknowns:
1. I did not actually clay a car after I did the cleaning so I cannot tell if it affected the clay`s properties. It seemed fine - maybe a bit slimey but I will check tomorrow.

2. I was unable to confirm the number of vehicles (12 per clay bar) claimed.

Final Observations and Summary:

It works.

Given that a 200 g bar typically can run $20 and if you do use it alot I could see how this could cut the cost down so rather than $6+ per car (cost per use) to $1.50 per car.

When you think about it, in paint prep the two major expenses seems to be painters tape and clay. Soaps, polishes, etc. have a lower cost per use (less than $1.)

I plan to use it and glad Jack included in the order.

[Old Pirate]

Thanks Bunky for the review on the Blackfire Clay Cleaner & Extender.

[CEE DOG]

Thanks for the review AL! Nice work! I had never heard of this product either.

[PAR Detailing]

Nice review! I had never heard of it either

[imported_wendell jarvis]

me either, never heard of it

[bmw5541]

Nice review Al.

I have it and like it very much!

[mikenap]

[QUOTE=Bunky;46246]
(using the CEE DOG Method - CDM)


LOL, did no one else see this? :

[imported_Dubbin1]

Its a nice idea but something I would never trust.

[Tuck91]

Nice review.