About to work on a Galllardo anything to be watchful of?

S

SouthernBoy

New member
I used BF for the first time two weeks ago. Being a long-time carnuba guy (and a wannabe Autopian) I performed an experiment along the way.

On the rear trunklid and spoiler, I used BF on half and Zymol paste wax on the other. After two weeks and two washes, made the following observations (all subjective).

BTW, the subject for this experiment is a very red Volvo 850 Turbo. Paint has been cared for (other those #^%$ rock chips) and is in good to very-good condition.

<strong class='bbc'>Depth[/b]
So far a tie. BF is the only polymer I've ever used that matched a good carnuba for depth on red.

<strong class='bbc'>Durability[/b]
BF:up Carnuba:down Even after just two weeks, I can already tell that the carnuba is disappearing. Surface doesn't feel as smooth as the BF, and some minor swirl marks are reappearing.

<strong class='bbc'>Dust[/b]
BF:down Carnuba:up I have seen other posts regarding BF's potential dust collecting properties, so I've paid close attention between washes. BF definitely "holds" more dust than the carnuba. One afternoon, after getting "dusted" by road construction, I could see a disticnt line on the trunk lid where the BF met the carnuba.

<strong class='bbc'>Slickness[/b]
:nixweiss I've seen posts regarding BF and slickness, but really wasn't sure exactly what it referred to (other than maybe the dust collection). After the last wash, I really couldn't feel or see any deterioration on the BF panel. Looked and felt as good as it did the day I put it on.

Overall, I am still very pleased :xyxthumbs with the BF. Has exceeded my expectations thus far.
 
Very nice review, SouthernBoy! One quick question though. Since you've used carnauba for a while, how do you comapre BF to other carnaubas you have used, other than Zymol? Specifically, on shine and/or durability between each.



Also, did you use the BF Polish? If so, how do you rate it's polishing abilities against comparable polishes?



Thanks,

MM

:cool:
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Metallic Mike [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Very nice review, SouthernBoy! [/b]</blockquote>
Thanks! I figured I've lurked long enough. Time to start contributing instead of just asking.

Anyway, I went through a variety of carnubas before I settled on Zymol about 2-3 years ago. Previous favorite before Zymol was Mequiers paste (can't remember exactly which one, would have to check in the garage.)

As to the polish, I "cheaped out" :( the on the first CMA order and didn't get the polish, so I went through a complicated (and worthelss) process involving 3M HG followed by a Dawn wash.

I have since gotten up off my wallet ;) and ordered the polish and QD. Used the BF Polish and Protectant on the warden's Pathfinder this past weekend. It hasn't been pampered like mine, but initial impression was "WOW". I'm anxious to see how it holds up in the touchless car washes she swears she never uses!

Will probably go ahead and strip the Volvo next weekend and start over with the BF polish. I'll post results from that one as well.
 
Thanks for the good info! I'm thinking of trying BF Protectant without the Polish as well in the future. Sounds like BF AFPP works just as well if you've already got a good base to start with (no need for polishing).



I may give it a shot later on over Zaino and see how it turns out. Glad you had great results!



:bounce
 
Metallic Mike, I would advise you spend the 15 bucks or whatever and get the polish. First, it really seems to enhance the look even of a perfectly polished panel, more "wet" looking. Also, the BF polish seems to further smooth and refine the surface. I was pleasently suprised by the surfacve slickness after using the polish, which made the smooth polished surface, smooth and super slick.:up I think that using the BF polish as a base is good starting point for the protectant. I just did a another car with the BF treatment (polish + Porotectant X3 and will be writing a = review shortly)
 
Lone Wolf, pics look great. I had been getting away from the topper, but not so sure now.



My BF was not slick after 10 days. Tried two things this past week QD'd with FI, what a combo, it worked extremely well. Really made it slick.



I started experimenting with SG on a couple my panels, got carried away now I have 7 coats od SG on top of 8 BFP. Looks good, waiting to see what happens after the first wash.
 
Likecars, FI is really good stuff but you gotta try OGSO!! I think it is MUCH better than FI. Maybe its because it works so good on top of Blitz but the paint sparkles after using it...:cool:
 
Blackfire may not feel slick a couple of days later because there isn't any or a very small amount of silicone in it. Check out this post:
http://autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?threadid=6389\
But in my experience after two washings you can still feel the smoothness and that Blackfire is still there shining away. Also after a rain or snowstorm, when the car dries it definitely seems cleaner than with a carnauba, because the water sheets off of the car instead of sitting there with beads that cause spots. A very good product that is definitely worth the money.
 
with everyone about the BF polish before the protectant. Couldn't believe what it did for my wife's Pathfinder. Can't wait for the weeked so I can re-Blackfire the Volvo.



And for some unknown reason, I just want to see the frog hop.



:bounce
 
Have and like the OGSH, since I have been layering SG and BPP, been using FI.

My BF is just as clean feeling and shiney since first applied. Can't decide if I prefer a slick feeling car or not.

I am finding I don't prefer the sheeting because with the nozzle off rinse method I am ending up with a lot of residual water unlike my Klasse cars which it just rolls off. So my MF towel has a little more water in the end, no problem, just my observation.

I am a fan of the product.

http://www.autopia-carport.com/ForumIndex.htm
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by waxman [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Blackfire may not feel slick a couple of days later because there isn't any or a very small amount of silicone in it. Check out this post:
http://autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?threadid=6389\
But in my experience after two washings you can still feel the smoothness and that Blackfire is still there shining away. Also after a rain or snowstorm, when the car dries it definitely seems cleaner than with a carnauba, because the water sheets off of the car instead of sitting there with beads that cause spots. A very good product that is definitely worth the money. [/b]</blockquote>
Waxman, I respectfully disagree with you. In response to your assertion that silicone is necessary for sustained slickness, I have a couple of questions.

1. How come two of the most popular products used by Autopians maintain slickness after months of washes despite having no silicones?

2. Why is BF slick when first applied and then gone in a few days?

3. If there is no silicone or a very low content of oils in general, why does it seem to attract so much dust?

Also, does it impress you that BF is still shining after two washes? I don't know. For me personally, I would prefer that a polymer sealant look shiny after MONTHS of washes, not just 2 washes. Just my opinion.
 
Mine is still smooth. I guess you could call that slick. I was only referring to what was posted about silicones by Terry of Classic Motoring Accessories. For all I know it could contain as much silicone as Black Magic. I do not have the dust issue people are talking about. Since it has only been on my car for two weeks I can only make statements on it's condition based on that time. A few people have posted that after a couple of washes it lost its shine. I did not see this on my vehicle.

This is a good product that does not take a lot of time to apply and take off. Maybe you should give it a try yourself. CMA does offer refunds on their products. :)

All disagreements are welcome.
 
I agree with Waxman. I'm struggling with a good definition for "slickness". Mine still feels and looks silky smooth, especially after the BF QD. Granted, it is after only two washes, so technically the jury is still out.



I am, however, still perplexed by the dust thing.:confused: I'll keep an eye on it and post updates as available.
 
Yeah, based on a few PM's nobody seemed to get my old one:

"Hold my beer and watch this!"

Where I'm from, <strong class='bbc'>everybody[/b] knows that's a redneck's last words! :D
 
I define slick as the lack of grabbing mfs when QDing or something like that.



you no when the MF or cotton towel keeps sliding down the hood.



Maybe we need to define terms???



Autopianictionary???? Any linguists or what ever the word is for dictionary editor??
 
A SMOOTH finish comes from claying or using abrasive products. Abrasives will SMOOTH the finish out with each application. Clay will also smooth the finish out by reducing the amount of fallout / contamination that is embedded in the paint. I suppose.....for argument sake.....that a strong enough chemical cleaner COULD contribute to paint smoothing too. If you use a non abrasive sealant or wax over a non clayed "rough" surface, it will still be rough......I don't care how many coats you put on. It will be slick though...."slippery." Make sense?



So now we all know what "smooth" means. "Slickness" to me is when I can throw a towel on the hood of my car and it just falls off due to the slickness and low friction of the paint surface. This should be evaluated before quick detailing. As we all know, a quick detailer will give shine and slickness to a paint surface, treated with wax or not.



On to dusting. There are 2 main things that contribute to additional dust pickup over another product, all other things being equal. One is the use of oils in a product, and the other is a static charge on the paint.....



Hope this helps.........
 
Let me preface this with a quick note -- I have almost no chemistry background.



That being said, wouldn't a loss of slickness be a very strong indicator of a decrease in the amount of product on the car and thus a decrease in durability, protection, and on a smaller scale, shine?



If a surface is slick (run an MF against glass, that's what I mean by slickness) after the application of any product, and then some time later after whatever the car has gone through, I would think of at least two possible reasons:



1) There are contaminants attached to the paint. Not very likely that so many would attach and be invisible in a few weeks' time.



2) Product has deteriorated or been partially removed in some fashion! This could either be from abrasion or just from the product mysteriously disappearing by losing its bond to itself or the surface it is attached to!



Note #2 -- I have not used Blackfire.



I personally do not at this moment classify Blackfire as being in the same class as Klasse and Zaino and others as long lasting appearance improving sealants. It seems more like a polymer wax-type product to me. Not to say it doesn't have its advantages, it sounds like it could be a great product. The actual results just seem to not be matching up with all of the "pre-release hype."
 
DK,



Since you have more of a scientific background than I do I have a quick question. Could there be oils in BlackFire Paint Protection that give it the deep shine? This would be the reason for the dust pickup and possible the loss of shine after a few washes? (oils being washed away from surface)



Sorry if it sounds like an ignorant question, but I was never very good at things like chemistry. :)
 
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