2013 Audi S5-Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating Review

[Pats300zx]

This is a detail of a 2013 Audi S5 in beautiful Estoril Blue Crystal Effect. This vehicle was booked for a two day detail and involved that application of the Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating and a one step correction. The client also elected to have the glass, wheels, and brake calipers coated with McKeee's 37 Glass and Wheel Coatings. Meghan kind enough to send out a Blackfire Pro coating kit for review and testing.

Products Used:

CG Citrus Wash and Gloss via Foam Cannon
Sonax Perfect Effect Wheel Cleaner
Super Clean 3:1 on Tires
Iron X decon on paint finish
Decon with clay mitt
Rupes 21, GG 6, and Ibrid polishers
Sonax Perfect Finish with LC HDO orange and flat pads
McKees37 Coating Prep Polish on glass
McKees37 Glass Coating
Blackfire Paint Prep
Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating
Blackfire SI02 Paint Sealant
Blackfire Multi-Surface Concentrate at 4:1 on interior plastics
Pinnacle Leather conditioner on interior leather
Blackfire SI02 paint sealant
Scangrip lighting
McCullough Steamer

PIctures:

















Video Walkaround:



The Blackfire Pro Kit consists of the following:

Kit Includes:
50 ml. BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Coating
32 oz. BLACKFIRE Pro Primer Polish
32 oz. BLACKFIRE Paint Prep
32 oz. BLACKFIRE SiO2 Spray Sealant
2 qty. White Polishing CCS Euro Foam Hand Polish Applicator
BLACKFIRE Coating Applicator
BLACKFIRE MicroSuede Cloths 10 Pack
3 qty. Supreme 530 Microfiber Towel, 16 x 16 inches





Thoughts and Observations on Blackfire Pro Products in Kit:

1-Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating-

Removal: This coating was extremely easy to apply and remove. I have only used CarPro Cquartz UK and UK 3.0 so far and I can say that the removal was very much easier with the Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating. The product was applied in temps of around 78 degrees and humidity of about 60%. Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating flashes within approximately 15-30 seconds and is extremely easy to remove on the first pass. As with most coatings, it does tend to get a bit grabby as it has been leveled into the surface. I typically use a two towel method for coating removal. The first towel is ALWAYS my first towel and is used throughout the detail as the first towel that removes that coating. I then take a second towel and them expand out over my coating area to cover an adjacent area where the coating may have been pushed or touch from the first towel. I found this method prevents high spots and I have not had any issues with removing this way. I do take my time and work methodically. It took me about an hour and forty-five minutes to do do one coat on this Audi. In sum, removal is much easier that CQ-UK and probably is more similar to what I have read for Gtechniq coatings. I have CSL and EXO but have not tried them yet and look forward to a comparison. Overall I was very impressed with application and removal.

Gloss and Slickness: I would have to say that CQ-UK and UK 3.0 was slightly glossier and slick than the Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating. The tradeoff would be the ease of application and removal . However, I can't say that these two factors were a game changer that would not cause me not to use Blackfire.

2) Blackfire Paint Prep: This product performed exceptionally well in preparing the surface for the coating. Blackfire Paint Prep applied lied well and left the surface clean. There is no real scent in Blackfire Paint Prep. I found the scent of CarPro Eraser to be very pleasing. I found Eraser also to be a tad bit slicker when applying.

3) Blackfire SI02 Paint Sealant-This is an excellent product that I have used on several details to this point over coatings and as a stand alone. It applies very well with absolutely no streaking. Reload can get finicky at times on some colors. I have found the easiest method for me is to use two towels. The first towel is primed with Blackfire SI02 and is used as the application towel and the second is used for buffing. With this method I have had no issues with streaking. The gloss is fantastic, the beading is excellent, and it leaves a very slick surface.

4) Blackfire Coating Applicator: I found the applicator block to be a tad small and I ended up using my CarPro block applicator. I have large hands and it fit better for application.

The client is supposed to have a small spoiler installed on the S5 and is planning to bring it back for coating after the paint cures. I will then have a chance to test the hydrophobic effects of Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating. Overall I was extremely pleased with the ease of use, gloss, and application removal for the Blackfire Pro ceramic products and would highly recommend them for a weekend enthusiast looking to try a coating on his personal vehicle or for a detailing professional.












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[fly07sti]

I’ve been curious about this new version and glad to hear your experience went well.

[swexlin]

Nice work Pat! Looks great!

[Chopper280]

Very Nice Work!
I have used Blackfire Pro Ceramic Coating twice and agree on how easy it is to use. I’m going to stick with it.

[Ebg18t]

Very nice.

CQUK 3.0 was a nice improvement over the original CQUK. Great to hear BF is easier, be curious to see how it holds up.

[PaulMys]

Incredible work, Pat.

[Meghan]

Great work as always Pat, love your attention to detail!

[Jaretr1]

Nice work. Looks like one of the Z's finally got driven (to make room in the Z Cave).