BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal (New Formula) - Review

Angus said:
Great question - I topped HD Speed with BF CS. I was curious to see how well BF CS would bond to HD Speed/ what sort of durability I could get out of the combo.

For your car, if correction isn't need go with: BF GEP + CS for the best LSP protection.
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Thank you.
 
*1 Month Update*

Well it's been a month, and I have to say things aren't looking good for Crystal Seal - on the paint.

Take a look at the photos I took this morning after yesterday's rain:

(Roof)


(Hood)


Beads have turned into amobias on the paint however if you look carefully at my sunroof, beading is still going strong on the glass surfaces I applied CS too:



Here's another angle showing how the two surfaces vary: paint on the left, glass on the right:



Why the dramatic difference between the 2 surfaces? Well the only thing I can think of is, BF CS and HD SPEED don't play well together and failed to bond.

Prior to applying CS, I used HD SPEED for some light paint correction before the cold weather set in. I was hoping CS would add a nice top layer for extra durability but knew full well my plan could backfire. And it did! However it's pretty cool to see the difference in beading between the paint and glass surfaces. And it only go to show how important prep work is and using products that work with each other.

So lesson learned: Do not use BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal on top of HD SPEED. I'll continue to keep any eye on the CS coated glass surfaces and update this thread on longevity.

For now, hopefully I'll have time this weekend to apply a new LSP on the paint. HD Poxy anyone???? :)
 
Hmm I've been using the Wolfgang version recently and while I can't comment on beading and durability I can say it's so easy to apply and a joy to use. Fast and easy enough to apply after every wash so there's almost no need for a "booster" product although I've been using WGDGSS and it's also very easy and a joy to use.
 
I think its best to always make sure the surface is cleaned using some sort of paint cleaning specific product like Carpro Eraser to make sure all polishing residue and oils are removed from the surface.

This coating not lasting even this long is definitely not normal. I have Pinnacle Black Label on my dads car and 6 months after I applied it is still beading strong.
 
I have some and overapplied as well. I just followed it with the spray sealant about 30 minutes later and it cleaned up perfectly.
 
KneeDragr said:
I have some and overapplied as well. I just followed it with the spray sealant about 30 minutes later and it cleaned up perfectly.
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Yea the high spots aren't hard to knock down even after a few hours of drying. It's not a big deal to over apply and take care of the high spots later.
 
Thanks for the update Ian.

There is a pretty dramatic difference between the way the two surfaces bead.

Perhaps the best way to top an AIO would be with a spray wax. Something that does not care if the surface has been stripped with a panel wipe or the like. Or maybe it comes back to product synergistic compatibility.

What do you think?
 
I don't care whatever it is, but even after just regular wash I will make complete wipe down before putting a ground base long term LSP like Synergy or Crystal seal. I will not wipe down when I am going to on top with show off wax like souveran once these durable base was layered already.

Try again with wipe down and I guarantee you can see dramatic different in durability.
 
Angus said:
New and improved BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal review time!



From PBMG copy for BF Crystal Seal:

New formula lasts longer while producing an even slicker finish!
Create WHIPLASH on paint, plastics, and metal with crystal clear polymers!
 BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal is a paint sealant sealing that offers incredible protection and longevity for all paint finishes, plastics, glass, and metals. Just drops of this clear liquid produces a tough barrier over auto surfaces that resists contamination, moisture, and UV rays. Hyper-concentrated BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal packs the power of cross-linking Wet Diamond polymers in every drop
​

Directions:




  1. Apply out of direct sunlight - Check
  2. Use very sparingly - Ooops… keep reading.
  3. Polish and clay your vehicle as needed before applying Wet Diamond Paint Sealant Spray - Check
  4. Vehicle should be clean and dry - Check
  5. Mist the panel lightly and use a clean microfiber applicator to spread it over one section at a time in a very thin layer - Check

Instead of using a microfiber applicator I decided to use a Lake Country Coating Applicator because a) they’re easy to hold, b) don’t soak up product, and c) allow you to apply a nice even layer.

Here’s a shot of my hood in the process of flashing over:



I also applied BF CS to my headlights and windows:





5. There is no need to buff - Yeah… so about that...
​
Ok, as it turned out there was a few high spots I needed to buff. I’m blaming this on user error since I’m known to have a heavy hand and overapplied BF CS in a few spots:

Example #1 High spot before:


Buffing:


After:


Example #2 side-view mirror before:



After:


So as you can see, BF CS buffs off very easily and didn’t give me any lasting headaches.

After all high-spots removed:







Conclusion

Blackfire Crystal Seal has to be one of the easiest LSP I’ve ever used. Had I not over applied it, BF CS would also win for the fastest LSP I’ve ever used as well. Best of all, BF CS is highly cost effective @ $20 for a 4oz bottle that will last a long time w/ careful application… This is one product I can easily recommend and will be sure to provide durability updates in the weeks/months to come.

Additional Observations

A few mornings after I applied BF CS, I noticed some of the coolest frost formations I’ve ever seen:









Check out the frost icicles growing out of the hood and front fender:






How wild is that?!?!

As always, I hope this review was helpful. Please feel free to ask any questions.:)
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prett cool,I will purchase some thanks for the review.
 
Angus said:
*1 Month Update*

Well it's been a month, and I have to say things aren't looking good for Crystal Seal - on the paint.

Take a look at the photos I took this morning after yesterday's rain

Beads have turned into amobias on the paint however if you look carefully at my sunroof, beading is still going strong on the glass surfaces I applied CS too.

Why the dramatic difference between the 2 surfaces? Well the only thing I can think of is, BF CS and HD SPEED don't play well together and failed to bond.

Prior to applying CS, I used HD SPEED for some light paint correction before the cold weather set in. I was hoping CS would add a nice top layer for extra durability but knew full well my plan could backfire. And it did! However it's pretty cool to see the difference in beading between the paint and glass surfaces. And it only go to show how important prep work is and using products that work with each other.

So lesson learned: Do not use BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal on top of HD SPEED. I'll continue to keep any eye on the CS coated glass surfaces and update this thread on longevity.

For now, hopefully I'll have time this weekend to apply a new LSP on the paint. HD Poxy anyone???? :)
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This is my experience with the original formula Crystal Seal. The marketing behind it is great, but I haven't experienced very good durability on even properly prepped paint.

At the price point of these boutique, higher priced products, my expectation is that the testing has been completed by the manufacturer and marketers, and they should be ready to go without the need to validate their claims. I do love how easy it is to apply, but havent used my supply of CS recently. I'all give it one more go around in my brothers work truck this Spring.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Thanks for the update Ian.

There is a pretty dramatic difference between the way the two surfaces bead.

Perhaps the best way to top an AIO would be with a spray wax. Something that does not care if the surface has been stripped with a panel wipe or the like. Or maybe it comes back to product synergistic compatibility.

What do you think?
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Exactly right, Mike. I wanted to share this update to highlight why it's important to use 2 products that are synergistic with each other. And as I found out HD SPEED and BF CS aren't! Again, I knew this chance existed and rather then hid my mistake - I'd rather share the results/ my learning with everyone.

Using a spray wax from the same family of products is a great suggestion. I happen to have a small sample bottle of HD Express at home and will use that in the future whenever topping a vehicle topped with HD SPEED.


Valky said:
I don't care whatever it is, but even after just regular wash I will make complete wipe down before putting a ground base long term LSP like Synergy or Crystal seal. I will not wipe down when I am going to on top with show off wax like souveran once these durable base was layered already.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind by doing a panel wipe I would have removed the AIO protection HD SPEED offered. Instead I was trying to enhance it by topping HD SPEED with BF CS. And it clearly failed.

Had I simply polished the car, then yes a full panel wipe down would have been done prior to applying any LSP base layer.
 
Jaretr1 said:
This coating not lasting even this long is definitely not normal. I have Pinnacle Black Label on my dads car and 6 months after I applied it is still beading strong.
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Totally agree which is why this fail is mine for trying to top HD SPEED with BF CS.
 
The beauty of WOWA sealants is it doesn't matter how long they last, you can apply them with 15 minutes (max) of free time. These have all but removed a qd from my stash because it takes the same amount of time to apply with the end result being much better.
 
wytstang said:
The beauty of WOWA sealants is it doesn't matter how long they last, you can apply them with 15 minutes (max) of free time. These have all but removed a qd from my stash because it takes the same amount of time to apply with the end result being much better.
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Interesting thought. I know that a qd doesn't offer any protection, just cleans off dust and finger prints. Thus, this can be used over any LSP and used often. What about the WOWA sealants? Can they be used often (at least once a week) and on top of any LSP. And which WOWA sealants do you use?
 
parshooter said:
Interesting thought. I know that a qd doesn't offer any protection, just cleans off dust and finger prints. Thus, this can be used over any LSP and used often. What about the WOWA sealants? Can they be used often (at least once a week) and on top of any LSP. And which WOWA sealants do you use?
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That's the beauty of wowa sealants, you don't have to do it once a week just once a month. They hold their shine and slickness for at least that much time. I use PB S&W for light dust or waterless wash, I'm soon to switch to Opti-clean which is much more economical in gallon size.
I've only used Optimum wowa (original formula) but I now have a bottle of Crystal seal I'm soon to try out. I haven't used a wax in some time so I'm not sure how well they play together. But I haven't had any issues with putting Opt. over WG or BF sealants.
 
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