!!New Blackfire Massive Product Review

[LegacyGT]

BlackFire New Product Review - Winter 2012

My trailer for this review caused so many comments I felt it necessary to include again:

High Definition Link: BlackFire Trailer - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kYC1kjrefFw?hd=1)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYC1kjrefFw]BlackFire Trailer - YouTube[/video]

By the numbers this review set some new records for me. Not only is it my first true video review, but I had to take it a bit overboard. Every shot was filmed from two angles (in 1080p), and a time lapse was run of the entire process. In the end I ended up with 65GB of video, and about 20,000 pictures (time lapse). Due to some file locking issues I ended up clocking over 11 hours of video rendering, not including the three nights of editing before that. I have made my most sincere efforts to cut down the review to be a reasonable length, speeding up sections and cutting a lot of sections, but in the end it is honestly a mammoth video. I hope that you have the patience to get through it, I will add some shortcuts to various product sections. Also, this being my first serious foray into the video medium feedback is most welcomed.

Before any big detail or review day I believe nutrition makes a huge difference, and I need some high quality fuel to propel me through this 5 hour review session. My breakfast of choice was a breakfast scramble with broccoli, red peppers, and some potatoes topped with a bit of cheese and enjoyed with a good dousing of Cholula. This super fuel definitely kept me going through my review.
http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-bNwzdJx/0/XL/IMG1170-XL.jpg

Yum!


Before we get started on all of the video I can't resist using a bit of my familiar medium of photography. My car on review day was far from clean (but a lot better than what I would eventually do to it afterwards). We have finally gotten some snow here in Iowa so it had a nice spray/crust of winter salt/sand/grime that is a nightmare. Fortunately for me I had a heated garage at my disposal, which made the review possible in our 10 degree weather.

The before pictures:
http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-gCMsMvW/0/XL/IMG5671-XL.jpg

http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-zLsWG27/0/XL/IMG5672-XL.jpg

http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-pzP6bGr/0/XL/IMG5673-XL.jpg

http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-5mdbNfK/0/XL/IMG5674-XL.jpg




Now what have we all come here for, and why is this so exciting? The gist is I was fortunate enough to be sent a few of the new BlackFire products to play with and familiarize myself with before they were publicly released so that I could provide information and feedback to the community at large. I must thank Nick and Meghan from AutoGeek for making this happen; on the flip side it put quite a bit of pressure on me to churn out something great, which I have made my very best efforts to do.

http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-KrvZLrg/0/XL/IMG5675-XL.jpg

A bit of history: BlackFire is a relatively new line for me, something that I have recently discovered, and my previous experience with Wet Diamond and Midnight Sun has made those two products part of my go-to surefire LSPs. I was very interested to see how the new formulations would stack up. When I got the products there was very little information out about what the differences between the old and new versions were, so one of the things I was really looking for was to find a difference between the two while reviewing.

Without further delay, make sure you have a fresh beverage, and enjoy:

High Definition Link for the Video (recommended 720p or higher): Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kixNblfC7LM]Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube[/video]


Shortcut Links:
Waterless Wash: Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1&t=3m4s)
Midnight Sun: Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1&t=11m35s)
Wet Diamond: Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1&t=16m14s)
Crystal Seal: Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1&t=23m14s)
Eclipse Tire Shine: Black Fire Winter 2012 Product Preview / Review - YouTube (http://youtu.be/kixNblfC7LM?hd=1&t=26m30s)



After using the products as you witnessed in the video I had a particularly difficult time finding differences between the old and the new version. Now that is far from a bad thing, because I have been smashingly impressed with the old versions, and there really was not much that I could think of to improve on, except perhaps the dusting with Wet Diamond removal. Of course on the day I do my video review both products were on best behavior and dust free, so I will have to revisit that point of comparison.

Question to Todd Helme:
Is there any formulation differences between the new Midnight Sun and the old version. Is there any formulation differences between the new Wet Diamond and old Wet Diamond?


Improving these products is quite difficult because they are so highly regarded.Both products have been gone through but with respect BLACKFIRE's core foundation, we knew better then to mess with these too much.


Where does that leave us? Well, durability in short. With the application of both the old and new versions, I am enabling myself to test out the durability of the products. BUT WAIT you are saying in frustration, the Midnight sun comparison on the lower and upper part of the door is not fair! That is correct, and unfortunately part of the video that got cut was my setup of the roof as a 50/50 comparison. In review we have a 50/50 on the hood with old/new Wet Diamond, a 50/50 on the roof with old/new Midnight Sun, and a comparison between the durability of Wet Diamond, Midnight Sun and Crystal Seal on the body of the car.

Hang on! There was a product you didn't review! :bash: :bat: Well, yes, as you would expect that to make sure I have a good test of the Advanced Pad Cleaner, I am letting my pads sit for a few days to really get nice and hard to clean. I swear it has nothing to do with my aversion of cleaning pads in a timely manner. Seriously though, I had meant for it to be included as a part of the original review, however, due to the product launch I wanted to get the information I already had gathered out there so it could help people out. I will append my Advanced Pad Cleaner review in the very near future.

What about the durability of the Eclipse Tire Shine? Well after the review, as in the day after the review I went and did something a bit crazy and destroyed any comparison test on the tires … so I will have to re-do this durability test. Those of you with an adversity to seeing dirty cars should stop reading right about now, because although a shiny, well kept Subaru, it is still a Subaru; and when the chance for a RallyCross event comes around even a 5 hour detailing session will not deter it from getting down and having some fun in the mud.

The last beauty shots of the clean Subaru:
http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-z23qpVq/0/XL/IMG1173-XL.jpg

http://www.billmorton.com/Detailing/OnlinePosts/Black-Fire/i-SwXMQDT/0/XL/IMG1174-XL.jpg

Video I shot of other Subaru's having fun:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ualqR4Em-YA]RallyCross - High Def - YouTube[/video]

Video shot from inside of my Subaru:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrro-LSOtc0]Rally Cross - Cockpit View - YouTube[/video]

Video shot from outside of my Subaru:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QubqIPKILl8]SCCA RallyCross - GoPro.mov - YouTube[/video]

A bit of extra footage I had:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8XoxYFq6Kk]Rally Cross Outside Turn - YouTube[/video]


And the aftermath:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-KJSmHr3/0/XL/i-KJSmHr3-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-6hjbWbN/0/XL/i-6hjbWbN-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-sd5JBzz/0/XL/i-sd5JBzz-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-XPDQwJM/0/XL/i-XPDQwJM-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-5Fwg7br/0/XL/i-5Fwg7br-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-ptPksBZ/0/XL/i-ptPksBZ-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-bhvDfRR/0/XL/i-bhvDfRR-XL.jpg


Cleanup impressions coming in the near future.



Whew! If you made it this far in one sitting, I am seriously impressed!
:yourrock: :yay :yippee:

[toycar18]

WOW - Thank you so much for the AMAZING review.

Video is very impressive!

[Chris's FX4]

Excellent review and great photos and videos! Thank you for taking the time to make and edit these videos.


You know its a good day whenever you get mud on the roof.:props:

[tw33k2514]

Loved the video Bill.

I really want to try some Crystal Seal. I have never used any of the other WOWA sealants. But I think you sold me.

The tire shine looks very promising as well.

[CEE DOG]

Hi Bill!! I am so excited to see the video but I can't :(. I'm on my iPad in the and it just keep loading. Bad signal right now... No access to hardwire :( I'm going to switch to 3G and try to load it that way. If not I will be lookin at it via pc as soon as I get home.

I can't wait man!! I know you put a ton of time into this and highly respect the task of trying to edit a massive amount of video into someone people will watch. Also thanks for the analysis on the old vs new. I'll be back after I can watch the video!!

Oh yeah!!! They need to buy that trailer from you for the BFWD line!!!!

[slickooz]

Thanks Bill for the great review and videos! Editing in the video was very nice, must of took a lot of time. Did you use iMovie? I really like the flash in your video, which one is it? I'm looking into getting a better one.

:urtheman: :wave:

[Slava]

Thanks Bill,

Awesome review.

[Setec Astronomy]

That was a bit of an unusual WOWA application...since the idea is to leave all of the product on the surface, I never use something as absorbant as a plush MF to do the wipe-on, always an applicator.

EDIT: Just finished watching the tire part...funny how the Tyromania is indistinguishable from the taped off sections...

[alko]

Bill....very awesome review of the products and loved the rally cross videos. looks like ya'll had alot of fun doing that. Thanks for putting all this together. I appreciate your hard work and efforts that went into this review.

[bomcar]

That was a bit of an unusual WOWA application...since the idea is to leave all of the product on the surface, I never use something as absorbant as a plush MF to do the wipe-on, always an applicator.

EDIT: Just finished watching the tire part...funny how the Tyromania is indistinguishable from the taped off sections...

is that true as direction of how to apply crystal seal ?
I think many product will be absorbed applying like that way ..

[LegacyGT]

That was a bit of an unusual WOWA application...since the idea is to leave all of the product on the surface, I never use something as absorbant as a plush MF to do the wipe-on, always an applicator.

EDIT: Just finished watching the tire part...funny how the Tyromania is indistinguishable from the taped off sections...
is that true as direction of how to apply crystal seal ?
I think many product will be absorbed applying like that way ..


The application directions are now out and are as follows:



Directions:

Apply BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal to clean paint with a soft applicator. Mist applicator once to prime. Then mist each panel once and spread sealant in straight line motions. There is no need for additional buffing.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autopia/blackfire-crystal-seal-2.jpg

Blackfire Crystal Seal does not require buffing.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autopia/blackfire-crystal-seal-3.jpg
Blackfire Crystal Seal works well on wheels and trim.

The sample I had did not come with the MF applicator pads, though I don't believe my MF towel was all that much more absorbent than the pictured MF aplicators. As I mentioned in the video the application did work a lot better after my MF had gotten a certian level of saturation, however, I feel that can be accomplished with a few priming sprays as well. My biggest concern is instilling any scratching / marring which is why I pulled out my softest/nicest MF to do the application.

[embolism]

not sure if you addressed this Bill but doesn't your car have opticoat on it?

If so, then won't that really lower the durability of any of the test products?

[LegacyGT]

not sure if you addressed this Bill but doesn't your car have opticoat on it?

If so, then won't that really lower the durability of any of the test products?

You are correct that my car is opti coated, however, the comparison between old and new versions is what I am focusing my durability report on. It is reasonable to think that the OC will affect both equally.

[Waxmax]

Great review, but you mention your car has Opti Coat.

My understanding is that topping OC with anything will not last very long....so I'm not sure about using an OC car for a durability test, even if just trying to compare products on the same car? JMO.

[LegacyGT]

Great review, but you mention your car has Opti Coat.

My understanding is that topping OC with anything will not last very long....so I'm not sure about using an OC car for a durability test, even if just trying to compare products on the same car? JMO.

My point is that I am comparing different versions of the same product, not the total duration.

If OC affects the durability, it should affect the old versions and new versions equally, and any differences noticed will indicate a difference between the two versions of the product.

This is not a test to say this product lasts X months, this is a comparison between the application / removal of the old version and the new version, and any differences in longevity between the two given that they are both applied on the same OC'd surface.

I will in the future have a vehicle that is 'bare' paint to test on, however to get out my initial review and impressions of the new versions of the product I had to use what I had on hand. This will also leave open some opportunities for others to make and report back their own findings.

Regardless, the new versions of the BlackFire products are awesome to work with, and if that was not the message you walked away with, something must have been lost in translation.

None of us will know the true durability for another 4-5 months, so there was a lot more value in getting information that was relevant and timely out about the new products.