No love for BLACKFIRE wax?

Todd@RUPES

Todd@RUPES

Just a regular guy
I have been playing with this wax for a little while and I must say that I have been overly impressed. I know that this wax is picking up steam in the UK, but it kind of floats under the radar here?



Given that both Souveran and BLACKFIRE where both developed by Terry from CMA there are significant similarities between the two. Both apply very easily (the 'new' BLACKFIRE is slightly easier to buff on/off) and both leave the same feel. I know that BLACKFIRE upgraded their wax and in many ways it seems like a better verision of Souveran.



Slightly longer durablity (about 5 weeks outside vs. 3 weeks for Pinnacle), slightly easier to use, and IMO, a slightly better look (a little deeper and warmer, but much sharper).



Overall both waxes are so close (as they should be, hell, the same guy invented both of the them) but with the smallest edge going to BLACKFIRE, IMO. Yet the product gets no love on here? Is it a lack of marketing or is their something I am missing (is my paint going to fall off?)).
 
A lot of folks were underwhelmed by the first generation BF sealant, so the brand name didn't get off to much of a start.



I'll have to give it a try when I run out of Souveran...
 
What i've noticed is that products that dont get mentioned much along with the fact that if it doesnt produce results as claimed on the labels when first introduced wont get much recognition unless more and more people start to use them and see what kind of results they get from it.. Then it turns into a "flavor of the month" kinda deal.
 
I'm a big fan of Blackfire.



A friend recommended BF Interior Cleaner to correct a small problem on my F250 dash... some nimrod stuck a hula girl there and the FL sun baked the adhesive on. Nothing would remove the mess as it collected residue. BF IC took it off in one swipe. The companion product, BF Interior Protectant, is the most durable vinyl treatment I've found, with the perfect semi-gloss finish for my tastes. This pair is my go-to interior combination.



Being one of the oldest detailers in the Western Hemisphere, I am a carnauba guy! Well, I've evolved into a nuba over sealant old dog with a new trick. Blackfire All Finish Paint Protectant is a toss-upwith Poorboy's EX-P in my opinion. (The whole PB's line is solid.) Both sealants work wonders on my four year old, use'ta tow a cement mixer, hog huntin', dune bustin' metallic green King Ranch.



Some time ago a customer gave me an old, unused jar of Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnauba... sort of a "here's this old stuff if you want it." I've learned that BF has significantly improved its carnauba since this came out (mine is Owner's Reserve Batch 23.) However, I could not be happier. I now have the BF nuba on my Ford, a silver Toyota, a blue/green Toyota, a dark green Mazda, a cream colored '87 BMW, a white Nissan, a black G35 and a grayish (?) Lexus... all extended family cars.



Blackfire Carnauba is fantastic. I'm seeing the same characteristics mentioned by Todd... deeper, warmer, sharper. And this stuff definitely improves with layering. I'm not in the Crystal Rock or Vintage league, but I've got five or six very good, medium priced carnaubas. Blackfire is at the top of the heap.



Also, I recently acquired some new Blackfire Deep Gloss Spray (Thanks, Jack!). Another very solid product in the BF lineup.
 
I used their sealant (Wet Diamond AFPP) quite a bit last year and in 2006 (used it for the first time last weekend in over a year, actually), I remember why I liked it so much. With a finishing pad and PC, the application is great, and the residue buffs effortlessly.



It is one of the "oily" sealants (probably akin to UPP, WG, etc.), in that it is extremely slick and leaves a very high gloss. It added a lot of look to the 95%ish prepped paint (greyish-green metallic RX330). IME I have seen it go about 3-4 months, if the car is washed every two weeks or so.
 
I ordered the "Wet Ice Over Fire" combo 4 months ago, (Sealant & Wax) The Sealant comes stocked with Polycharger. I actually switched from Zaino to Blackfire on my single stage black conversion van because I just like the looks better. The wax and sealant I thought were excellent indeed, especially when you combine the 2 of them. Im not sure why these don't get more press. 2 thumbs up in my book..PS..I think the Sealant of years past was very, very good, problem was it didn't last nearly as long as the "claims" (3 weeks) and was heavily critiqued for it. So thats why in my opinion Polycharger is stocked with it now as to try to ditch the poor durability reputation it has earned. Smart move in my opinion. New version on my van is holding up really well and the wax just puts that last little finishing touch. I also used the wax on my daughters 07 Candy Apple Red Focus, beautiful, loved it.
 
I'm testing 'Gloss-It' sealant on my paint right now but as soon as it runs its cycle I think I will do the Wet Ice Over Fire combo on my paint to test it. I did it on a red 360 spyder and it looked deep as hell.
 
John Henry said:
I'm a big fan of Blackfire.



A friend recommended BF Interior Cleaner to correct a small problem on my F250 dash... some nimrod stuck a hula girl there and the FL sun baked the adhesive on. Nothing would remove the mess as it collected residue. BF IC took it off in one swipe. .
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I just found a bottle of this I've had for a long time. I never used it, and kinda forgot about it, cause I was concerned about it leaving my dash (or other interior parts) shiny. I hate shiny interiors. Does this cleaner leave a matte finish, by chance? ONR makes a good interior cleaner, but it doesn't have the chops to clean the tough stuff like hula girl adhesive. :)
 
TH0001 said:
I'm testing 'Gloss-It' sealant on my paint right now but as soon as it runs its cycle I think I will do the Wet Ice Over Fire combo on my paint to test it. I did it on a red 360 spyder and it looked deep as hell.
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Todd, have you started a thread on your Gloss It results yet?? I'm very anxious/curious, etc. to hear and see your results of this product.
 
i use and really like the wet diamond. Its the pre-polycharged version and lasts several months with ease, so the poly-charged version must be even better. I use it over the gloss enhancing polish, which is a last touch type product i would say akin to lime prime. Very easy to work and buff off, leaving a great finish. The wheel gel, and tire shine are also great products. Havent tried the interior products but im sure they're top products. Underrated imo
 
Hey todd. The glaze I was referring to is their pre wax cleaner. Its a "gloss enhancer", can't reall the name off hand but its the one with fillers. I got a sample and was reluctant to try it since it does fill quite a bit, but on properly prepped paint it still gives a super deep wet look and is very easy to use. I've been using it all summer under 915, concorso and souveran. Not sure if it effects durability but I use it when durability isn't.a concern. Ill add more later, on my blackberry right now hence the crap spelling :)
 
TH0001- Thanks for mentioning this one, you've piqued my interest. A few Qs:



Any way you could describe appearance diffs between it and Souveran?



Any trim-staining issues (I'm thinking about the Jag, where I use Souveran on the exterior plastic and rubber)?



I *REALLY* like the BF GEP cleaner and sealant for odd stuff (mainly satin/matte black suspension and underhood items), but it did the "darkening with oils" thing a bit too much for my liking (on Audi silver). The way the GEP/sealant combo works on the MPV's slightly surface rusted rear brake drums is simply astonishing to me; works so well I've blown off derusting/painting them.
 
sweetlou said:
i use and really like the wet diamond. Its the pre-polycharged version and lasts several months with ease, so the poly-charged version must be even better. I use it over the gloss enhancing polish, which is a last touch type product i would say akin to lime prime. Very easy to work and buff off, leaving a great finish. The wheel gel, and tire shine are also great products. Havent tried the interior products but im sure they're top products. Underrated imo
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I've been pretty happy with the products I have used so far.



The interior cleaner is 'good' although a little streaking on black, IME. It leaves a very mat finish and I am not sure if it protects or not (I believe they make a protectant as well). A little stronger then 1Z Cockpit but not as easy to use or as nice smelling IMO.



I will get some of the 'glaze', assuming it works well under the sealant or boosts the durability of the sealant.



I am really impressed by the slickness of the sealant (two towels fell on the floor, not cool).
 
SuperBee364 said:
ONR makes a good interior cleaner, but it doesn't have the chops to clean the tough stuff like hula girl adhesive. :)
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Yeah, 9 out of 10 hula girls prefer Blackfire. There is also a zero percent chance that one of them would be caught dead in my truck!



Honestly, I never noticed the finish that the cleaner leaves. I finish with BF Interior Protectant.... leaving a semi-gloss finish. What I like most about BF IP is the durability.
 
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