Angus
AspiringProductSpecialist
The trim on my 1998 Honda Civic has seen better days. Trying to find trim product that will a) help revive it and b) last more than a month or two has been a challenge.
Enter the latest round of competitors BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant vs. SONAX’s Plastic Restorer Gel:
To keep this comparison fair, I’ll be dividing the hard plastic trim on my civic in half - right down the middle. The driver's side will receive SONAX’s Plastic Restorer Gel while the passengers side will receive BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant. Each side will receive enough coats to revive and darken the trim as evenly as possible.
Prior to application all trim surfaces were thoroughly scrubbed clean with APC 3:1, rinsed, and dried:
Let the showdown begin!
First up SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel:
From PBMG’s copy for SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel:
SONAX isn’t kidding when they say this is thick drip-free gel! Check out this cling time!!
Wow look at how quickly SONAX darkens my front bumpers lower trim! Here’s what a single application looks like:
I’m grinning from ear to ear with the results and briefly consider abandoning the trim showdown with BLACKFIRE all together! How could BF beat SONAX????
I quickly move to coating the remaining driver's side trim w/ Sonax.
Next up BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant:
From PBMG’s copy for BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant
I can’t help but notice the description for BF TT&TS sounds almost identical to SONAX PRG. Given this, I’m feeling very confident this will be a true Apples to Apples comparison.
BF TT&TS has more of a cream like consistency when compared to Sonax PRG's stout gel:
Overall it takes a few applications of BF TT&TS to produce the same level of depth on the passenger's side trim as SONAX did for the driver’s side. Again my lower bumper trim coated with BF on the left, and SONAX on the right:
Up on my windshield cowl:
SONAX side:
BF side:
(BF TT&TS slight streaks disappeared after a quick buff)
Ok, now here where the showdown takes an unexpected turn…
After the above application, the car sat untouched in my garage over the Labor Day weekend. Late Monday night I’m out in the garage and don’t quite believe what I’m seeing. Take a close look at my front bumper trim after 2 uninterrupted days:
Umm what happen to the SONAX? Where’d it go? Did it fall off? Did my trim eat it up? In contrast, my application of BF TT&TS on the passenger's side is exactly where I left it.
Back up on the windshield cowl, the difference between the two products is a little more subtle:
(left side BF/ right side SONAX)
Down on the under door driver's side trim, the only evidence of SONAX remaing is this single area:
Whereas BF still looks nice and even on the passenger's side:
I'm gobsmacked at this dramatic turn of events to say the least!
The very next day, it rained and the resulting water beading confirmed the levels of product remaining, or should I say lack there of! (close up on the left - wide shot on the right)
SONAX:
BF:
Notice how BF is producing nice tight uniform beads whereas the SONAX side beads look more like amoebas? Also check out the amount of water sitting at the bottom of the cowl - notice how much less there is on the BF side???
For SONAX to fail so quickly after application is a total let down.
Without any question:
I have to say these results honestly surprised me. After such an impressive start from SONAX I wasn’t expecting BLACKFIRE TT&TS to come from behind and win this comparison test in such a dramatic fashion.
Hope you enjoyed this comparison test and dramatic results
Thanks for reading!
Enter the latest round of competitors BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant vs. SONAX’s Plastic Restorer Gel:
To keep this comparison fair, I’ll be dividing the hard plastic trim on my civic in half - right down the middle. The driver's side will receive SONAX’s Plastic Restorer Gel while the passengers side will receive BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant. Each side will receive enough coats to revive and darken the trim as evenly as possible.
Prior to application all trim surfaces were thoroughly scrubbed clean with APC 3:1, rinsed, and dried:
First up SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel:
From PBMG’s copy for SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel:
Restores, protects, and renews plastic exterior trim!
SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is a thick, drip-free cream that revitalizes faded, discolored exterior plastic trim. SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is formulated using microscopic nano particles that penetrate deeply into the plastic trim, providing long-lasting protection and long-term preservation. SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is not limited to black trim – use it on any color trim and watch as it brings the surface back to like-new condition!
SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is a thick, drip-free cream that revitalizes faded, discolored exterior plastic trim. SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is formulated using microscopic nano particles that penetrate deeply into the plastic trim, providing long-lasting protection and long-term preservation. SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel is not limited to black trim – use it on any color trim and watch as it brings the surface back to like-new condition!
SONAX isn’t kidding when they say this is thick drip-free gel! Check out this cling time!!
Wow look at how quickly SONAX darkens my front bumpers lower trim! Here’s what a single application looks like:
I’m grinning from ear to ear with the results and briefly consider abandoning the trim showdown with BLACKFIRE all together! How could BF beat SONAX????
I quickly move to coating the remaining driver's side trim w/ Sonax.
Next up BLACKFIRE’s Total Trim & Tire Sealant:
From PBMG’s copy for BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant
Restores, protects, and enhances exterior trim of any color!
BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant is the solution to an issue that plagues almost every vehicle manufactured in the last 30 years – dull, faded, and discolored plastic exterior trim. This thick, gel-like formula penetrates deep into the pores of plastic, rubber, and vinyl exterior trim, restoring the finish to factory-new condition. A traditional trim dressing might last a week or two if you’re lucky; BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant provides MONTHS of durable protection. Use it on tires as a long-lasting, waterproof dressing!
BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant is the solution to an issue that plagues almost every vehicle manufactured in the last 30 years – dull, faded, and discolored plastic exterior trim. This thick, gel-like formula penetrates deep into the pores of plastic, rubber, and vinyl exterior trim, restoring the finish to factory-new condition. A traditional trim dressing might last a week or two if you’re lucky; BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant provides MONTHS of durable protection. Use it on tires as a long-lasting, waterproof dressing!
I can’t help but notice the description for BF TT&TS sounds almost identical to SONAX PRG. Given this, I’m feeling very confident this will be a true Apples to Apples comparison.
BF TT&TS has more of a cream like consistency when compared to Sonax PRG's stout gel:
Overall it takes a few applications of BF TT&TS to produce the same level of depth on the passenger's side trim as SONAX did for the driver’s side. Again my lower bumper trim coated with BF on the left, and SONAX on the right:
Up on my windshield cowl:
SONAX side:
BF side:
(BF TT&TS slight streaks disappeared after a quick buff)
Ok, now here where the showdown takes an unexpected turn…
After the above application, the car sat untouched in my garage over the Labor Day weekend. Late Monday night I’m out in the garage and don’t quite believe what I’m seeing. Take a close look at my front bumper trim after 2 uninterrupted days:
Umm what happen to the SONAX? Where’d it go? Did it fall off? Did my trim eat it up? In contrast, my application of BF TT&TS on the passenger's side is exactly where I left it.
Back up on the windshield cowl, the difference between the two products is a little more subtle:
(left side BF/ right side SONAX)
Down on the under door driver's side trim, the only evidence of SONAX remaing is this single area:
Whereas BF still looks nice and even on the passenger's side:
I'm gobsmacked at this dramatic turn of events to say the least!
The very next day, it rained and the resulting water beading confirmed the levels of product remaining, or should I say lack there of! (close up on the left - wide shot on the right)
SONAX:
BF:
Notice how BF is producing nice tight uniform beads whereas the SONAX side beads look more like amoebas? Also check out the amount of water sitting at the bottom of the cowl - notice how much less there is on the BF side???
For SONAX to fail so quickly after application is a total let down.
Without any question:
I have to say these results honestly surprised me. After such an impressive start from SONAX I wasn’t expecting BLACKFIRE TT&TS to come from behind and win this comparison test in such a dramatic fashion.
Hope you enjoyed this comparison test and dramatic results
Thanks for reading!
