Black Wow issues

[David Fermani]

Went home, followed the instructions and applied it before washing.

Any thoughts on what I might do differently to keep this stuff from smearing?

I've never used BW, but I've worked with many solvent and water based dressing, and I can't see why 1 should be used before you wash? Aren't you basically sealing in a bunch or dirt that could cause it to have bonding issues? If you apply it at the end of your detail, I'd bet this could have been avoided.

 

[Alan W]

It might be interresting to *honestly* ask yourself why he was banned, and why the 3 most succesfull UK shops are removing it from their websites. Might be that it is not selling well at all.

May I ask where you heard that the 3 most successful UK shops were dropping Black Wow?



BW is selling well in the UK because it's a very good product that outlasts it's competitors offerings when correctly applied as below:



First clean the exterior plastic trim thoroughly using an APC (All Purpose Cleaner) or Isopropyl Alcohol. Apply Black Wow sparingly using a foam applicator and work well into the plastic. A little goes a long way and it even seems to spread out along the plastic. Take your time working it in and go back over any areas that feel you need a little more. Black Wow should dry pretty quickly and then you can buff the surface with a clean MF towel. If the Black Wow appears sticky you've applied too much and the surplus can be removed with a clean MF. The initial shininess should disappear overnight leaving a deep black appearance that should last for a couple of months before re-application is required.



That's my experience of BW and I hope it helps to clarify how best to maximise the potential of it.

 

[Banacheq]

Yeah, I noticed that BW has his fanboys, and you are obviously one :hmph:

This seems to be all a bit personal for you. By all means share your opinion, we're all interested in different peoples experiences with products, but I don't see a need to name-call those that disagree.

It might be interresting to *honestly* ask yourself why he was banned, and why the 3 most succesfull UK shops are removing it from their websites. Might be that it is not selling well at all.

Enlighten us if you know the answers, but please no speculation - facts only. If it's truly not selling well, then that is perfectly reasonable for those shops to stop stocking it.

Contacting a company and spending time for a so-so detailing product? I've better things to do with my time. I will finish my BW bottle on severely fadedbumpers (it works nice to bring back black, altough not for long) and simply will neither buy a second bottle, nor recommend it, that's all.

So, you have no time to do a bit of research to make sure you're using the product correctly, but plenty to post here and not just say that you don't like the product, but take it to the point of imploring others not to use the product and imply that the manufacturer is a crook (e.g. "Made his money, now gone")? Either you care about us all so much that you don't want to see any of us saddled with an inferior product (your opinion, not mine) or you want to inflict damage on the manufacturer. I'm leaning towards the latter. BTW, you slipped up and wrote something positive about the product (it works nice to bring back black) which, low and behold is one of the main uses of the product. You also list it on your website as a recommended product. Left hand, meet right hand.

This BW saga reminds me of Polycharger. Also a lot of HYPE about this so-called miraculous enhancer... now given for free with orders, and gracefully dying. Hype makes quick money -- only once.

One man's hype is another man's marketing. Every new product comes to the market with some type of marketing. If not, then whoever is in charge of marketing needs to get sacked. Hype is a loaded word and is used almost exclusively in the context of a product review whereby the writer either didn't think it measured up, or assumes that it won't. I think in this case, most of the "hype" is from fellow Autopians that actually like the product. Sorry if not all of us agree with you.



Lastly, please explain the implication that the BW and Polycharger manufacturers are con artists tricking you out of your money.

 

[Alan W]

Richard is nothing short of one of the most honest guys in the detailing world. If you ever had any problems with any of his products, I am SURE he'd be willing to help you out, and I know he would go great lengths to ensure you are happy.

I would second that statement! :2thumbs:



Richard is a stand up guy and if he were able to reply I know he would have done.



Why not try contacting him at SCD.

 

[skitelluride531]

Yeah, I noticed that BW has his fanboys, and you are obviously one :hmph:



It might be interresting to *honestly* ask yourself why he was banned, and why the 3 most succesfull UK shops are removing it from their websites. Might be that it is not selling well at all.



Contacting a company and spending time for a so-so detailing product? I've better things to do with my time. I will finish my BW bottle on severely fadedbumpers (it works nice to bring back black, altough not for long) and simply will neither buy a second bottle, nor recommend it, that's all.



This BW saga reminds me of Polycharger. Also a lot of HYPE about this so-called miraculous enhancer... now given for free with orders, and gracefully dying. Hype makes quick money -- only once.

I'm not going to waste my time with your nonsense anymore. I thing the previous two posters summed it up fairly well.



Good day to you.

 

[KnuckleBuckett]

BW definately has it's place in my arsenal (for now), but it takes practice to use correctly. I am constantly amazed at how little it takes and how much of a pain in the butt it is to apply. that said, it really works well when applied correctly to the correct surfaces. It is a very niche product.

 

[skitelluride531]

I think Richard honestly says it best himself. This is his quote from the MINI forum:



(I suspect I'll get banned for posting this :hmph::dance...but so be it).



MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - WOW - disappointing!

This has been a most interesting thread. There is a funny thing I've discovered about people who don't like BW (and have the know it all attitude).



They usually fit the following

1.) People who think they know everything so they don't read the instructions.

2.) People who don't accept advice because they know everything

3.) People who try to justify their credibility because they are yada yada yada and unfortunately still don't know anything.

4.) People who just like to be trolls.....



My response is usually this:



Did you try emailing, IMing, Skyping, PMing me, calling me on my Toll Free number to ask me about the product? Maybe I could have helped you before you decided that the product was no good? I would have even offered you your money back if you didn't like the product.



So let me ask you, because of your vast knowledge and credibility as a judge of classic cars--which by the way--most classics have VERY little plastic on them if they are true classics.....



What makes a good trim product? Durability? Looks? Or ease of application?

As a judge, do you even care if a person put on a product on their prized car because it was easy to apply? How would you know?



If BW was streaking, it comes down to only a few possibilities.



1.) You applied way too much product

2.) You didn't properly clean and prep the plastic before applying BW, and that prevented BW from being absorbed.

3.) What applicator did you use? A rag?



Please elaborate on your process so that we can learn from your expertise. Pictures would be helpful as well.

 

[s-one]

Wow, sorry that the OP had to go through all that. I just got some of the BW stuff friday for the first time and I have yet to apply so I'm reading this thread with a careful eye. So when BW is applied sparingly and buffed off, does it still stay greasy or does it dry up so dirt doesn't stick to it?

 

[Alan W]

So when BW is applied sparingly and buffed off, does it still stay greasy or does it dry up so dirt doesn't stick to it?

BW should dry to the touch within a couple of minutes when correctly applied and buffed. This assumes proper preparation of the trim and removal of any previous dressing beforehand. Dirt will only stick to it if too much product is applied and it stays sticky rather than drying.



Less is definitely more when it comes to BW!

 

[s-one]

Thanks Alan!

 

[Alan W]

Thanks Alan!

No problem! :grinno:



As an aside I'd mention that I've never prescribed to the idea of using BW before washing your car. I can see Richard's theory in suggesting this because any BW on the paint can then be subsequently washed off. However, now that the BW trim card is supplied with the product there shouldn't be any accidents when applying BW and I much prefer to detail my car after it's been washed.

 

[KnuckleBuckett]

Great post Skite!!

 

[ptaylor_9849]

Less is more. That's why I suggest not using any.

 

[SuperBee364]

I have definitively NOT been impressed by WOW, and I now really feel robbed by all the HYPE surrounding it.



I found it so greasy that is is difficult to apply, the microfiber used to buff it can be thrown in the dustbin since it cannot be recovered, and if you let some of it on the paintwork, you'll need strong washing to remove it.



This was about use, let's talk durability. I hoped that it would stay longer than either Autoglym Bumper Care or CG New Look Trim Gel (one third of the price, btw). Well, no. It streaks out partially, even if I applied it on perfectly-degreased trims.



People, stop the HYPE about this product. Competition exists, is easier to manipulate, gives the same look and lasts longer, and is cheaper.

Yeah, I noticed that BW has his fanboys, and you are obviously one :hmph:



It might be interresting to *honestly* ask yourself why he was banned, and why the 3 most succesfull UK shops are removing it from their websites. Might be that it is not selling well at all.



Contacting a company and spending time for a so-so detailing product? I've better things to do with my time. I will finish my BW bottle on severely fadedbumpers (it works nice to bring back black, altough not for long) and simply will neither buy a second bottle, nor recommend it, that's all.



This BW saga reminds me of Polycharger. Also a lot of HYPE about this so-called miraculous enhancer... now given for free with orders, and gracefully dying. Hype makes quick money -- only once.

Seriously uncalled for. Not even worth the effort to type out any more of a response.

 

[Holden_C04]

I think Richard honestly says it best himself. This is his quote from the MINI forum:



(I suspect I'll get banned for posting this :hmph::dance...but so be it).



MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - WOW - disappointing!

Why would you think you would be banned? I can't think of a single poster on Autopia being banned for anything other than rudeness, spam, and other rule infringements. No one who has been polite has been banned for their opinions.



Actually, that's a good post, skite.

 

[mose]

Wow, sorry that the OP had to go through all that. I just got some of the BW stuff friday for the first time and I have yet to apply so I'm reading this thread with a careful eye. So when BW is applied sparingly and buffed off, does it still stay greasy or does it dry up so dirt doesn't stick to it?

LOL!!! Yeah.....me too!!



So I used BW again this weekend and altered my application process. (i.e. I followed the instructions) :nana: Amazing what happens when you do that!!



I used a small pea sized amount on the running boards of an Explorer. Worked it in and made it stretch to cover the whole thing. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then buffed what little excess there was off. I did this after washing and detailing the whole vehicle out so I didn't test the smearing of it but I have to believe that it wouldn't have smeared.



I have to say that Richard contacted me this weekend abot the problems I was having. I got his email on Sunday and we emailed back and forth five or six times. He was very helpful, very informative as well as suuportive. He told me about the "trim card" that was supposed to come with my order. It didn't so he is sending me one in the mail.

I don't know or care why he was banned. All I know is that he heard about my problem, contacted me on a Sunday and has been very helpful. You can't really ask for more than that!! If the product ends up not being what I am looking for, then it has nothing to do with him as a person or how he does business...but so far the product is great!!

 

[skitelluride531]

Why would you think you would be banned? I can't think of a single poster on Autopia being banned for anything other than rudeness, spam, and other rule infringements. No one who has been polite has been banned for their opinions.



Actually, that's a good post, skite.

Because I can name atleast two other [former] members here who have been banned FOR LIFE from Autopia, solely for backing up Black Wow. Octane Guy (Founder of Black Wow) was banned for 30 days, simply for backing up his product.



I mean, honestly, does a post like this: http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail...latic-restoration-products-4.html#post1081439



Really deserve TWO bans? Yes, both Calegero and Octane Guy were banned within a few days of those two posts. Is it apparently NOT ok anymore on here to give instructions on how to use a product? I mean, jeez, it not like Richard is coming on here making new topics every day on his product. He SIMPLY replied to a post about someone who didn't like the product, with detailed instructions on what might have gone wrong.



And to any moderator/David B/whoever makes these decisions, if I don't have my facts straight (which always can be the case) PLEASE come and set the record straight because your reputation on many other forums is slowing deteriorating based on silly things like this.

 

[imported_RZJZA80]

I would hope this forum isn't that Nazi like to go banning people like that for no good reason. I don't even know who the mods are or who owns this forum.



Anywho, I think I'll try a bottle and see how it goes, if water makes it run or streak well I'll just throw it away.

 

[mose]

The streaking you are worried about should be aleviated by using it sparingly and making sure you buff it out when you are done. Good luck with it!!

 

[SpoiledMan]

This BW saga reminds me of Polycharger. Also a lot of HYPE about this so-called miraculous enhancer... now given for free with orders, and gracefully dying. Hype makes quick money -- only once.

Where can one get Polycharger for free? I'd love to pick more of it up!