nosuchsol

Alright, the Blackfire New Car Kit came today and I figured now would be a good time to do things. Now most pictures I will just hot link to. I didn't want to shrink them down b/c my camera is already crappy. I'm sorry for the blurryness in some pictures but again my 1mp camera isn't up to snuff for details... although it does a decent job.

Blackfire Car Kit: It came packaged well. Everything was in there as ordered.


Background: This is my commuter car so it see a decent amount of freeway miles. It's a '95 Acura Integra GSR - Metallic Black. It does have chips and scratches - I've inherited them from the previous owner. The car has seen Meguiars, and most recently Zymol(which I really liked). The car was clayed about a month ago.

PreWash Pics: I used the Blackfire wash to "de-dirt" the car and prep it. It wasn't that dirty but a good step.
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PreWash1.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PreWash2.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PreWash3.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PreWash4.jpg

PostWash Pics: Finished cleaning and ready for Blackfire. It still has a really decent shine... guess that Zymol really paid off!
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash1.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash2.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash3.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash4.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash5.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/PostWash6.jpg
Artificial Light: I.E. Garage
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/...tWashArtf1.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/...tWashArtf2.jpg

OneCoat Pics: High-Gloss Polish and All-Finish Paint Protection. One coat of each. Now the pictures aren't as detailed as real life. I need a good camera.... donations welcome!! =)
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat1.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat2.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat3.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat4.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat5.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/drew/OneCoat6.jpg
Artificial Light:
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/...eCoatArtf1.jpg
http://www.bcfministries.org/images/...eCoatArtf2.jpg

Now my thoughts.. heh heh heh:
I used the Microfiber applicators and towels to apply and buff out the polish and synth.wax.

First up was the the polish which was easy to put on and easy to take off. It sets up very quick, and very little is needed. And i mean very little. You can tell right away when you use too much. Also, as you use it you'll need to add less and less to your applicator as it retains a good amount. I kept finding myself putting too much on. It didn't leave a haze and wiped off rather than hard buffing. Smells ok... I like the smell of Zymol better.

Next goes on the All-Finish Paint Protection. Now this was VERY easy!!! It went on super fast and set very fast. Again, a little goes a LONG way... I would say that with this you can do a whole hood instead of 1/2 a hood with the amount specified. It also came off with ease IF you don't wait too long. I found that where I left it a little too long I had to use more pressure rather than an easy wipe - about as much pressure a set carnuba would take. After getting done the paint is very smooth. The microfiber towel would not catch on anything. It's layerable but they say give it 12 hours between coats so I'm at one, and will probably do 3 all together. This one smells like grapes... uh, grape candy or gum b/c the grapes you buy at the store don't smell that much.

The clarity is great... it's much deeper. It's shiny but not overtly shiny. The pictures might not show it but you can really see your surroundings reflected in the paint. It also does a good job with swirl marks(much better than Zymol did). I took a close up picture and you can see the metallic look to the paint, but with the clarity AND my crazy scratches in the corner.

No downsides on this one. Less streaky than Meguiars and Zymol were. After the next coat I'm going to try a trick I learned from Zymol by misting(I have a hose attachment for FINE mist) water after waxing and buffing out... it made the shine much better with the Zymol so I assume that it will with the Blackfire.

I will post more pics as I finish the job tomorrow. =) Any comments or questions are welcomed. I'd like to thank http://properautocare.com/ for fast shipping, and a great assortment of products. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for Blackfire or other detailing products. I need to go buy a Big Blue towel.

EDIT: Forgot to add that it's much better in sunlight... the artificial light isn't as pizazzy(sp?). And not all those white dots are chips, I think I had crud on my camera lens. =P

FlaPhil

Thanks for your experience. I'm a Blackfire user, and have always thought it is the best on black.

ScottC

none of your pictures are showing up.

nosuchsol

b/c I removed them due to lack of interest. =)

chicago350z

i claim ignorance when it comes to car waxes. i stick with something you can buy from an autoparts store. so maybe you guys can answer me this:

blackfire contains mineral spirits, otherwise known as paint thinner. i think up to 15% of the total volume, if i'm not mistaken. why isn't this harmful to the paint? i clean paint brushes with mineral spirits, but i'm a little hesitant about putting it on my car. i'm not attacking anyone, i'm just puzzled. thoughts???

Brad4rdHay

Id say every waxon the market has mineral spirits (yes, even Zymol and Zaino), and BF has about the lowest amount of anything on the market. Besides, the type/amound of mineral spirits in car waxes/sealants isnt gonna thin your paint...more of an old wives tale.