Trim Restorer Showdown: BLACKFIRE VS. SONAX!

[Angus]

The all original trim on my 1998 Honda Civic has seen better days. Trying to find trim product that will a) help revive my faded old trim 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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/BFVSS_zpsjjocfkpu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/BFVSS_zpsjjocfkpu.jpg.html)

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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/EE2412E4-D25C-46EE-8102-1E239D02949E_zpszngjjsil.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/EE2412E4-D25C-46EE-8102-1E239D02949E_zpszngjjsil.jpg.html)

Let the showdown begin!

First up SONAX Plastic Restorer Gel:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/123AFA41-66E7-4AD4-A6B2-0D3759122DD4_zpsbdvouhbb.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/123AFA41-66E7-4AD4-A6B2-0D3759122DD4_zpsbdvouhbb.jpg.html)

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 isn’t kidding when they say this is thick drip-free gel! Check out this cling time!!

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/870F349A-20BD-4419-A6CB-5153F20F165C_zpsb4audt0s.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/870F349A-20BD-4419-A6CB-5153F20F165C_zpsb4audt0s.jpg.html)

Wow look at how quickly SONAX darkens my front bumpers lower trim! Here’s what a single application looks like:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/05BC3489-23C2-430E-A8EF-BEE85BB21287_zpspyguahav.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/05BC3489-23C2-430E-A8EF-BEE85BB21287_zpspyguahav.jpg.html)

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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/2228FBEA-DC7F-4401-B8C0-F85027F793AE_zpspsj4wftz.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/2228FBEA-DC7F-4401-B8C0-F85027F793AE_zpspsj4wftz.jpg.html)

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!
I can’t help but notice the description for BF TT&TS sounds almost identical to SONAX’s. 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 stout gel:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/AEE6DE56-6D78-45D6-88BD-4620F892F1AF_zps9jwl87ql.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/AEE6DE56-6D78-45D6-88BD-4620F892F1AF_zps9jwl87ql.jpg.html)

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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/5A5D70F3-F4A3-4FDC-A587-9597CD87A7CB_zpskm4uff7f.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/5A5D70F3-F4A3-4FDC-A587-9597CD87A7CB_zpskm4uff7f.jpg.html)

Up on my windshield cowl:

SONAX side:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/91AF8291-E5B2-4C61-BA6A-E2600154E663_zpstm8rtkcg.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/91AF8291-E5B2-4C61-BA6A-E2600154E663_zpstm8rtkcg.jpg.html)

BF side:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/89254A00-C8DA-40ED-9346-0515FEBED9AA_zpsb5gs3slx.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/89254A00-C8DA-40ED-9346-0515FEBED9AA_zpsb5gs3slx.jpg.html)

(slight streaks disappeared after a quick buff)

Ok, now here where the showdown takes an unexpected hard left turn…

After the above application, the car sat untouched in my enclosed 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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/BFC10136-EF7F-4422-9FEC-605306F72B8E_zpsxlmrozrj.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/BFC10136-EF7F-4422-9FEC-605306F72B8E_zpsxlmrozrj.jpg.html)

Um what happen to 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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/cea09729-70f2-4730-8ba6-b4f3aba3a5a2_zpsspd7wyis.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/cea09729-70f2-4730-8ba6-b4f3aba3a5a2_zpsspd7wyis.jpg.html)
(left side BF/ right side SONAX)

Down on the under door driver's side trim, the only evidence of SONAX remaining is this single area:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/E0B3A883-DFE4-4C95-B437-49791825AB83_zpsh4rmu2ff.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/E0B3A883-DFE4-4C95-B437-49791825AB83_zpsh4rmu2ff.jpg.html)

Whereas BF still looks nice and even on the passenger's side:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/7481D6FB-FAFF-4502-A793-551FEE0C3162_zps3wsgck1y.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/7481D6FB-FAFF-4502-A793-551FEE0C3162_zps3wsgck1y.jpg.html)

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 left - wide shot on right)

SONAX:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/9E780A18-D5A3-432A-9DAC-62C963F24E77_zpshi7r9ipt.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/9E780A18-D5A3-432A-9DAC-62C963F24E77_zpshi7r9ipt.jpg.html)

BF:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/5D8C7687-919D-421F-B4C1-A70C8FC73D6A_zpscezd7oup.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/5D8C7687-919D-421F-B4C1-A70C8FC73D6A_zpscezd7oup.jpg.html)

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:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/win_zpsj7xun43q.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/win_zpsj7xun43q.jpg.html)

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!

[whavens]

That is some difference, I wouldn't have thought that the Sonax would have deteriorated that fast. Thanks for taking the time to write up the review, nice job.

Walter

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

[Damonsfcd]

Very nice! I have a bottle of TT&TS but haven't opened it yet. I know what I'll be doing soon!

Thanks!

[Goin Rogue]

Nice review.
BFTT&TS is my go to trim sealant.

[Angus]

Thanks, fellas!

To be fair to SONAX - results may vary and could be largely dependent on the type of plastic used to make your vehicles trim. Clearly my Honda Civic prefers BF TT&TS over SONAX. But the same results may or may not be true for you.

[Nix]

I had same issue with sonax on my CRV and Civic..sonax just fades away in few hours..

[mannichine]

Very nicely done. Thank you. Would you be kind enough to follow up a week, two weeks, three weeks down the road with a few more pics? This is helpful.

[The Guz]

Nice comparison.

[Bunky]

Blackfire is nice. It sometimes leaves an uneven look for me but it does last.

[Angus]

I had same issue with sonax on my CRV and Civic..sonax just fades away in few hours..

Interesting, so it may be a Honda thing. I'm going to try applying SONAX to the trim of a few different makes and see how well it holds up.


Very nicely done. Thank you. Would you be kind enough to follow up a week, two weeks, three weeks down the road with a few more pics? This is helpful.

Thanks! And yes, I'd be happy to prove a updates.


Nice comparison.

Thanks, Guz!


Blackfire is nice. It sometimes leaves an uneven look for me but it does last.

Thanks, Al. I've noticed BF has a tendency to streak on certain types of trim. But it's nothing a quick buff can't take care of ;)

[rjd598]

Sonax has had no issue on my trim. Left a perfect level of shine to the trim

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Wow Ian, absolutley beautiful review. I am over in in awe. Really like what you did with the layout and pictures.

While I have not used the BlackFire product I do have the Sonax product and have noticed the exact same results of it. It will darken and beautify the plastic but after a few days it seems like it just gives up the ghost.

[silverfox]

Sonax goes back 65 years. I think they know a little bit about quality car care. Its only been the last few years that we've seen their products here.

[Angus]

Sonax has had no issue on my trim. Left a perfect level of shine to the trim

Out of curiosity what make/model of car's trim are you using SONAX on?


Wow Ian, absolutley beautiful review. I am over in in awe. Really like what you did with the layout and pictures.

While I have not used the BlackFire product I do have the Sonax product and have noticed the exact same results of it. It will darken and beautify the plastic but after a few days it seems like it just gives up the ghost.

Thank you good Sir! Glad you enjoyed the write up and thanks for confirming your experience with SONAX performance's overall performance isn't too far out of line with my own observations.


Sonax goes back 65 years. I think they know a little bit about quality car care. Its only been the last few years that we've seen their products here.

To be clear, I didn't set out on this comparison to bash SONAX. What happen on my trim was completely unexpected. I use and like a good number of SONAX's products. However after witnessing these results, their trim restorer gel is not one I can recommend.

[Ebg18t]

Sonax Trim Restorer seems to work differently depending on the plastic. I like it on the black textured plastic on our Touareg.