Nick McKees37
02-13-2012, 01:17 PM
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/Ferrari-599_GTB_Fiorano_HGTE_2010_800x600_wallpaper_31.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-car-care.html)
Working for PBMG certainly has its perks, no doubt about it. It's not uncommon for myself or Mike Phillips to grab the car keys from an unsuspecting PBMG associate in order to use his or her vehicle for an article. Who would complain about having a shiny car?
Back in May 2010, Mike Phillips was scouring the parking lot for a swirled-out daily driver that was in dire need of a complete makeover. He came across a 2003 Honda Civic LX owned by Kendra, a PBMG customer service representative. Mike Phillips performed a complete makeover of Kendra's Civic using Optimum's Hyper Polish (Optimum Hyper Polish - 2003 Honda Civic LX (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/26011-optimum-hyper-polish-2003-honda-civic-lx.html)) to restore the dull, neglected finish into a show-car worthy shine.
Fast-forward nearly two years and the keys to Kendra's Civic are once again being loaned to an Auto Geek. With the recent launch of the revamped Blackfire line, Kendra's Civic would once again go from being a boring daily driver to a vehicle whose age would come into question. Who ever thought a nine year old Honda could have the potential to create whiplash? The Blackfire line of car care products makes the impossible, possible.
Take a look at Kendra's Civic and guess how long it had gone without a bath.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1102.JPG
It doesn't look too bad, does it? Wait until you see how dirty the paint is upon closer inspection.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1103.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1105.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1106.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1107.JPG
You're probably thinking; "What's the big deal? Looks like just another dirty car that needs a good bath." That's absolutely correct, however I'm not going to perform a regular wash on Kendra's Civic. I'm going to use Blackfire's new Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash and All-N-One APC to safely remove over eight months worth of dirt and road grime.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1109.JPG (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-rinseless-wash.html)
Mike Phillips spent a couple hours restoring the shine and luster to Kendra's Civic and the last thing I want to do is put swirls and scratches back into the finish. Kendra has enjoyed swirl-free shiny red paint for nearly two years now and that's not about to change. Generally you wouldn't perform a rinseless wash on a vehicle that hasn't been washed in over eight months, so to ensure that it was done properly, I used a hidden gem in Autogeek's vast array of detailing tools and accessories - the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1113.JPG (http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html)
The Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner provides water on the go without the need for a hose or power outlet. As the name implies, the Nomad utilizes an 18 volt rechargeable battery for its power source so no extension cord is needed. The Nomad has a tank capacity of 3.5 gallons and with its 20 foot hose, there is no area on your vehicle that cannot be reached. The Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner is an essential tool in water-restricted areas or apartment complexes where there is no access to a hose. Fill up the detachable 3.5 gallon water tank with water and you're good to go.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1114.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1116.JPG
Try to stop drooling over the Nomad for a minute while I'll introduce you to Blackfire's first entry into the rinseless wash category, Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash. Wet Diamond Rinsless Wash utilizes four proprietary Wet Diamond polymers to safely lift away dirt and road grime without scratching your vehicle's delicate finish. In addition to cleaning the paint, the Wet Diamond polymers also leave behind a slick layer of protection and a whiplash inducing shine.
Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash is a concentrated formula so only 1 ounce per 2 gallons of water is required.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1110.JPG
After adding one ounce of Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash to two gallons of water, I filled up a secondary bucket with clean water. To safely perform a rinseless wash, having a secondary bucket filled with clean water and a Grit Guard insert is imperative. To provide further lubrication to ensure I don't undo all of Mike's hard work, I added two ounces of Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash to the Nomad.
What's great about the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner, besides the fact that it's portable and easy to carry, is the included 20 foot hose fitted with an adjustable sprayer. Because Kendra's Civic was so filthy, I pre-treated the sections I would be washing by first spraying them down with the Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash mixture in the Nomad.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1120.JPG
After letting the solution dwell on the panel for a minute, I began washing. My wash media of choice was a Cobra Gold Plush Junior, several of them to be exact. I like this towel because it's super soft, lightweight, and it doesn't feel like it's dragging across the paint when used with a rinseless or waterless wash. It features a thick enough pile to safely trap dirt so it doesn't get rubbed back into the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1123.JPG
Remember how I mentioned that it's critical to have a secondary bucket with clean water and a Grit Guard insert when performing a rinseless wash? This is why!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1127.JPG
Rinsing your wash media of choice often is critical when performing a rinseless wash. A Grit Guard insert in your rinse bucket allows the dirt to be released from the microfiber towel, ensuring that nothing gets back into your wash bucket. If your towel becomes heavily soiled, get a fresh one.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1128.JPG
For the lower panels and the front bumper that were really dirty, I sprayed Blackfire All-N-One All Purpose Cleaner directly onto the paint, undiluted. This APC is safe on virtually any surface, even at full strength.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1132.JPG
After letting the Blackfire All-N-One APC dwell for a minute, the dirt and road grime wiped off the paint effortlessly. To ensure no residue was left behind, I utilized the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner to give it a thorough rinsing.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1119.JPG
I performed the same method for removing the build up of bugs on the front bumper. Spray, dwell, agitate, rinse.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1134.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1135.JPG
One of the more obvious differences when comparing a traditional wash to a rinseless wash is the drying aspect. With a traditional wash, you would dry the vehicle after the entire car has been washed. With a rinseless wash, you dry each panel after you wash it.
For rinseless washes, I personally prefer the "blotting method" of drying. Instead of dragging a towel across the finish, you simply blot the area until it's dry. My towel of choice for this is the Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towel (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-guzzler-hd-towel.html). This towel is thirstier than an entire football team after a Sunday game in the middle of July. What makes this towel an HD is the 5 mil sponge laminated between the two layers of super soft microfiber. They don't call it the Guzzler for no reason!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1130.JPG
To make the towel a more manageable size for smaller panels, you can fold it in half.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1131.JPG
Just because you're performing a rinseless wash doesn't mean you have to skip out on cleaning the tires. An effective way to clean tires without hosing them off or using a scrub brush is with a quality APC and a microfiber towel. With the towel folded a couple times, saturate it with your APC of choice and start scrubbing!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1136.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1138.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1139.JPG
Working for PBMG certainly has its perks, no doubt about it. It's not uncommon for myself or Mike Phillips to grab the car keys from an unsuspecting PBMG associate in order to use his or her vehicle for an article. Who would complain about having a shiny car?
Back in May 2010, Mike Phillips was scouring the parking lot for a swirled-out daily driver that was in dire need of a complete makeover. He came across a 2003 Honda Civic LX owned by Kendra, a PBMG customer service representative. Mike Phillips performed a complete makeover of Kendra's Civic using Optimum's Hyper Polish (Optimum Hyper Polish - 2003 Honda Civic LX (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/26011-optimum-hyper-polish-2003-honda-civic-lx.html)) to restore the dull, neglected finish into a show-car worthy shine.
Fast-forward nearly two years and the keys to Kendra's Civic are once again being loaned to an Auto Geek. With the recent launch of the revamped Blackfire line, Kendra's Civic would once again go from being a boring daily driver to a vehicle whose age would come into question. Who ever thought a nine year old Honda could have the potential to create whiplash? The Blackfire line of car care products makes the impossible, possible.
Take a look at Kendra's Civic and guess how long it had gone without a bath.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1102.JPG
It doesn't look too bad, does it? Wait until you see how dirty the paint is upon closer inspection.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1103.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1105.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1106.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1107.JPG
You're probably thinking; "What's the big deal? Looks like just another dirty car that needs a good bath." That's absolutely correct, however I'm not going to perform a regular wash on Kendra's Civic. I'm going to use Blackfire's new Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash and All-N-One APC to safely remove over eight months worth of dirt and road grime.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1109.JPG (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-rinseless-wash.html)
Mike Phillips spent a couple hours restoring the shine and luster to Kendra's Civic and the last thing I want to do is put swirls and scratches back into the finish. Kendra has enjoyed swirl-free shiny red paint for nearly two years now and that's not about to change. Generally you wouldn't perform a rinseless wash on a vehicle that hasn't been washed in over eight months, so to ensure that it was done properly, I used a hidden gem in Autogeek's vast array of detailing tools and accessories - the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1113.JPG (http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html)
The Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner provides water on the go without the need for a hose or power outlet. As the name implies, the Nomad utilizes an 18 volt rechargeable battery for its power source so no extension cord is needed. The Nomad has a tank capacity of 3.5 gallons and with its 20 foot hose, there is no area on your vehicle that cannot be reached. The Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner is an essential tool in water-restricted areas or apartment complexes where there is no access to a hose. Fill up the detachable 3.5 gallon water tank with water and you're good to go.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1114.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1116.JPG
Try to stop drooling over the Nomad for a minute while I'll introduce you to Blackfire's first entry into the rinseless wash category, Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash. Wet Diamond Rinsless Wash utilizes four proprietary Wet Diamond polymers to safely lift away dirt and road grime without scratching your vehicle's delicate finish. In addition to cleaning the paint, the Wet Diamond polymers also leave behind a slick layer of protection and a whiplash inducing shine.
Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash is a concentrated formula so only 1 ounce per 2 gallons of water is required.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1110.JPG
After adding one ounce of Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash to two gallons of water, I filled up a secondary bucket with clean water. To safely perform a rinseless wash, having a secondary bucket filled with clean water and a Grit Guard insert is imperative. To provide further lubrication to ensure I don't undo all of Mike's hard work, I added two ounces of Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash to the Nomad.
What's great about the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner, besides the fact that it's portable and easy to carry, is the included 20 foot hose fitted with an adjustable sprayer. Because Kendra's Civic was so filthy, I pre-treated the sections I would be washing by first spraying them down with the Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash mixture in the Nomad.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1120.JPG
After letting the solution dwell on the panel for a minute, I began washing. My wash media of choice was a Cobra Gold Plush Junior, several of them to be exact. I like this towel because it's super soft, lightweight, and it doesn't feel like it's dragging across the paint when used with a rinseless or waterless wash. It features a thick enough pile to safely trap dirt so it doesn't get rubbed back into the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1123.JPG
Remember how I mentioned that it's critical to have a secondary bucket with clean water and a Grit Guard insert when performing a rinseless wash? This is why!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1127.JPG
Rinsing your wash media of choice often is critical when performing a rinseless wash. A Grit Guard insert in your rinse bucket allows the dirt to be released from the microfiber towel, ensuring that nothing gets back into your wash bucket. If your towel becomes heavily soiled, get a fresh one.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1128.JPG
For the lower panels and the front bumper that were really dirty, I sprayed Blackfire All-N-One All Purpose Cleaner directly onto the paint, undiluted. This APC is safe on virtually any surface, even at full strength.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1132.JPG
After letting the Blackfire All-N-One APC dwell for a minute, the dirt and road grime wiped off the paint effortlessly. To ensure no residue was left behind, I utilized the Nomad 18 Volt Portable Power Cleaner to give it a thorough rinsing.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1119.JPG
I performed the same method for removing the build up of bugs on the front bumper. Spray, dwell, agitate, rinse.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1134.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1135.JPG
One of the more obvious differences when comparing a traditional wash to a rinseless wash is the drying aspect. With a traditional wash, you would dry the vehicle after the entire car has been washed. With a rinseless wash, you dry each panel after you wash it.
For rinseless washes, I personally prefer the "blotting method" of drying. Instead of dragging a towel across the finish, you simply blot the area until it's dry. My towel of choice for this is the Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towel (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-guzzler-hd-towel.html). This towel is thirstier than an entire football team after a Sunday game in the middle of July. What makes this towel an HD is the 5 mil sponge laminated between the two layers of super soft microfiber. They don't call it the Guzzler for no reason!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1130.JPG
To make the towel a more manageable size for smaller panels, you can fold it in half.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1131.JPG
Just because you're performing a rinseless wash doesn't mean you have to skip out on cleaning the tires. An effective way to clean tires without hosing them off or using a scrub brush is with a quality APC and a microfiber towel. With the towel folded a couple times, saturate it with your APC of choice and start scrubbing!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1136.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1138.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Rinseless%20Wash%20Blackfire%20Civic/DSCN1139.JPG