M
Mike Phillips
Guest
Review: BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal
Check out the water beading!
>click< on the image to watch the video
From the Autogeek.com store page
BF-975 BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal - 8 oz. jar - 24.99
The weapon you need in the war against brake dust!
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal is heavy duty wheel protection sealant that will prevent the build up of harmful brake dust, tree sap, tar, road salt, and road grime! BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal is designed with a completely non-abrasive formula, making it safe for the vast majority of wheel types and finishes. BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal will even work to fill in some of the pitting, corrosion, and damage that already exists on your wheels, restoring their finish! BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal contains Silica protection that will far surpass other wheel sealants in both longevity and caliber of protection!
Brake dust is a bear of a contaminant to battle. Not only is it produced in abundance when you even so much as tap your brakes, but it is also the biggest threat to your wheels’ finish. This incredibly corrosive substance is generated by the grinding of your brake pads against your break shoes. Minute particles of your brake pads are rubbed off by the friction and sent flying into the air. These particles land on your wheels and, because they are comprised of carbon, adhesive, and hot metal shavings, will gradually erode away the wheels surface and cause pitting.
The only way to prevent this severe damage is to make sure that the brake dust is not ever given the opportunity to come into contact with your wheels. BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal acts as a protective barrier to your wheels, keeping the brake dust off of your precious wheel surface. The Silica in BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal forms a hard and durable shell that is more that capable of standing up to the corrosive substances to which your wheels are exposed.
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal will also make it much easier to clean your wheels during your weekly washes as well. In fact, if done every week, you will even be able to simply pressure wash all the brake dust off of your wheels without the use of harsh chemicals!
If your wheels have already seen their fair share of pitting and other damage, BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal can help to restore them back to their factory-fresh glory! The ingredients contained in BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal’s formula will work to fill in some of the pitting and other surface tarnishing. This will make the surface appear smoother and thus glossier!
Your wheels are one of the most expensive after-market add-ons that you can get on your vehicles, so don’t let them fall victim to the destructive nature of brake dust! Let BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal keep them looking new for years to come!
Directions:
To the above directions, I would just add,
Always work on a wheel that is cool to the touch.
The idea being, don't spray cold water on hot wheels and thus hot brakes of a car that just was being driven as the brakes and possibly the wheels will still be hot. If the car was just driven allow some time for the brakes and the wheels to cool off.
My review
Before I can review a product I first have to use the product. Otherwise anything I say is either conjecture or mock-up and I don't like doing mock-up. The car world at-large already knows there's plenty of mock-up or fake detailing that takes place and I'm not going to add to it.
This is my Lexus RX350, it's the gold colored SUV, not the wicked cool Tunnel Hull boat.
You can read the story about the Tunnel Hull boat here
I call it my Airport Car or The Golden Eagle. It's not what I normally like to drive but it is a damn good and darn reliable vehicle that does exactly what it's supposed to do and that's get me safely to the airport when I'm travelling and without breaking down. When I do my Roadshow classes there's a LOT of planning and expense that goes behind them and part of the planning and expense is me getting to the airport on time and without a hitch.
For example, for the upcoming Austin, Texas Roadshow Class my flight leave out of Fort Lauderdale at 7:05am. It boards at 6:30am, I'm going to get there at 5:00am to park my car and get through security and because it's around a 2 hour drive from where I live I'm going to leave the house at 2:30am, this also means I'll be setting my alarm for 1:30am because I prefer to leave more on the early side than the late side in case there are traffic problems as I drive the I-95 to Ford Lauderdale.
There is no time for a break-down. So yeah, I drive a mundane gold colored SUV.
To do what I can to avoid a flat tire from nails on the road, (lots of construction everywhere), I just put brand new tires on the Lexus. Watch for an upcoming tire coating review as I have purposefully NOT put any tire dressing on them since they were installed.
The wheels have nothing on them also. I've never applied a ceramic coating to them or any other type of wax or sealant. So for this review I'm going to wash a wheel and then apply the product to the wheel. I'll share what I think about the applicaton but there's no way I can tell you how long it lasts until some time goes by. So after some time goes by I'll update this review.
My guess
If this product makes water bead-up after application, then my guess is when I see water STOP beading-up that's a sign it's worn off. This is the visual indicator that the masses use to gauge a car wax, or synthetic sealant or ceramic coating or anything that claims to protect a surface. Not my criteria but the consensus of the masses.
Washing
First I'm going to wash one wheel and one tire. I don't have time do wash the entire car as I was given this product yesterday and I'm already behind in my other job duties.
Because this is a BLACKFIRE product I'll use BLACKFIRE companion products.
Here's the MINIMUM number of tools you need to do a proper wheel and tire wash.
BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner - Spray Gun - Speed Master Wheel Brush - Wheel Woolies Wheel Face Brush - Tire Brush. For the Tire Brush I'm using a Mighty Mini with a Cyclo Aqua brush installed. I don't work by hand when a machine is available that will do the job better and faster.
If you ever join the IDA - one of the questions on the Skill Validation tests is how many buckets does it take to do a proper car wash and the answer is 3 buckets. The third bucket being your Wheel & Tire Bucket. There you go, I just gave you an answer for the test.
Some soap for the brushes - helps to clean the wheels better and also helps to clean the brushes when your done.
Start by putting your DRY brushes in the bucket.
Back to cleaning one wheel and tire. Just to the right side of this wheel and tire is FULL SUN - it's hotter than heck out here at 2:30pm South Florida time.
Dirty wheel barrel
Dirty wheel face
Spraying on the BLACKFIRE Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Note, this is not a color changing wheel cleaner, it comes out of the bottle red.
I always spray wheels first and let the chemicals go to work dissolving road grime and brake dust. 2 things that build up not just one thing. Then spray the tires with the product.
Here's how you do it - let the machine do the work.
And because it's cordless - you cannot get shocked!
This tool was originally intended to be used for spot polishing but if you've ever tired to polish paint with a drill you know it's cumbersome at best. With the Cyclo Aqua brush it makes a great machine tire scrubber.
Here's a technique tip from a guy that has used this tool a LOT to scrub tires. Hold the brush against the tire sidewall at an angle like you see in the picture below. Most people would naturally think you would hold the face of the brush, that is all the bristles flat against the sidewall and you can if you want but it works better to just hold the tool so only and edge of bristles makes contact with the sidewall. There's a reason too.
Next - time to clean the rims... I usually start with the barrels using the Speed Master Wheel brush.
Then if you're the OCD type of person that needs the back of the spokes clean, (no one will ever see them but what the heck), then bend the brush to get the back of the spokes.
Plop that dirty brush into the bucket of soapy water. In most cases I would then move the bucket to the next wheel and continue until all 4 wheels and tires were cleaned but for this review... I'm done with one.
Now grab your wheel face brush and get the face of the wheel clean.
Here's a tip - BE CAREFUL around valve stems - now days the rubber type are cheap and dry rot fast. If you bump one with a brush there's a good chance it will break off and instead of having fun washing your car you'll be changing a flat tire. Been there and done that, now just trying to help you so you don't have to go through the pain.
Plop the brush into the Wheel and Tire Bucket.
Spray off the wheel and the tire.
Angle the nozzle in from all directions to make sure you rinse all the gunk off.
Nice and clean, which is what you need to use the new BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal.
Cleaning wheels and tires isn't any fun. In fact, it's my least favorite car detailing thing to do. Weird that I do so much of it.
Legs dirty.... aluminum too, just can't see it easily.
Shoes that were clean are now dirty...
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal
Check out the water beading!
>click< on the image to watch the video
From the Autogeek.com store page
BF-975 BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal - 8 oz. jar - 24.99
The weapon you need in the war against brake dust!
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal is heavy duty wheel protection sealant that will prevent the build up of harmful brake dust, tree sap, tar, road salt, and road grime! BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal is designed with a completely non-abrasive formula, making it safe for the vast majority of wheel types and finishes. BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal will even work to fill in some of the pitting, corrosion, and damage that already exists on your wheels, restoring their finish! BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal contains Silica protection that will far surpass other wheel sealants in both longevity and caliber of protection!
Brake dust is a bear of a contaminant to battle. Not only is it produced in abundance when you even so much as tap your brakes, but it is also the biggest threat to your wheels’ finish. This incredibly corrosive substance is generated by the grinding of your brake pads against your break shoes. Minute particles of your brake pads are rubbed off by the friction and sent flying into the air. These particles land on your wheels and, because they are comprised of carbon, adhesive, and hot metal shavings, will gradually erode away the wheels surface and cause pitting.
The only way to prevent this severe damage is to make sure that the brake dust is not ever given the opportunity to come into contact with your wheels. BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal acts as a protective barrier to your wheels, keeping the brake dust off of your precious wheel surface. The Silica in BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal forms a hard and durable shell that is more that capable of standing up to the corrosive substances to which your wheels are exposed.
BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal will also make it much easier to clean your wheels during your weekly washes as well. In fact, if done every week, you will even be able to simply pressure wash all the brake dust off of your wheels without the use of harsh chemicals!
If your wheels have already seen their fair share of pitting and other damage, BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal can help to restore them back to their factory-fresh glory! The ingredients contained in BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal’s formula will work to fill in some of the pitting and other surface tarnishing. This will make the surface appear smoother and thus glossier!
Your wheels are one of the most expensive after-market add-ons that you can get on your vehicles, so don’t let them fall victim to the destructive nature of brake dust! Let BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal keep them looking new for years to come!
Directions:
- Working out of sunlight, rinse wheels with a strong jet of water.
- Dry with a microfiber towel.
- Apply BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal with a foam applicator using a thin layer directly on wheel.
- Buff out product haze with a clean, dry microfiber towel.
- Repeat steps on all other wheels.
To the above directions, I would just add,
Always work on a wheel that is cool to the touch.
The idea being, don't spray cold water on hot wheels and thus hot brakes of a car that just was being driven as the brakes and possibly the wheels will still be hot. If the car was just driven allow some time for the brakes and the wheels to cool off.
My review
Before I can review a product I first have to use the product. Otherwise anything I say is either conjecture or mock-up and I don't like doing mock-up. The car world at-large already knows there's plenty of mock-up or fake detailing that takes place and I'm not going to add to it.
This is my Lexus RX350, it's the gold colored SUV, not the wicked cool Tunnel Hull boat.
You can read the story about the Tunnel Hull boat here
I call it my Airport Car or The Golden Eagle. It's not what I normally like to drive but it is a damn good and darn reliable vehicle that does exactly what it's supposed to do and that's get me safely to the airport when I'm travelling and without breaking down. When I do my Roadshow classes there's a LOT of planning and expense that goes behind them and part of the planning and expense is me getting to the airport on time and without a hitch.
For example, for the upcoming Austin, Texas Roadshow Class my flight leave out of Fort Lauderdale at 7:05am. It boards at 6:30am, I'm going to get there at 5:00am to park my car and get through security and because it's around a 2 hour drive from where I live I'm going to leave the house at 2:30am, this also means I'll be setting my alarm for 1:30am because I prefer to leave more on the early side than the late side in case there are traffic problems as I drive the I-95 to Ford Lauderdale.
There is no time for a break-down. So yeah, I drive a mundane gold colored SUV.
To do what I can to avoid a flat tire from nails on the road, (lots of construction everywhere), I just put brand new tires on the Lexus. Watch for an upcoming tire coating review as I have purposefully NOT put any tire dressing on them since they were installed.
The wheels have nothing on them also. I've never applied a ceramic coating to them or any other type of wax or sealant. So for this review I'm going to wash a wheel and then apply the product to the wheel. I'll share what I think about the applicaton but there's no way I can tell you how long it lasts until some time goes by. So after some time goes by I'll update this review.
My guess
If this product makes water bead-up after application, then my guess is when I see water STOP beading-up that's a sign it's worn off. This is the visual indicator that the masses use to gauge a car wax, or synthetic sealant or ceramic coating or anything that claims to protect a surface. Not my criteria but the consensus of the masses.
Washing
First I'm going to wash one wheel and one tire. I don't have time do wash the entire car as I was given this product yesterday and I'm already behind in my other job duties.
Because this is a BLACKFIRE product I'll use BLACKFIRE companion products.
Here's the MINIMUM number of tools you need to do a proper wheel and tire wash.
BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner - Spray Gun - Speed Master Wheel Brush - Wheel Woolies Wheel Face Brush - Tire Brush. For the Tire Brush I'm using a Mighty Mini with a Cyclo Aqua brush installed. I don't work by hand when a machine is available that will do the job better and faster.
If you ever join the IDA - one of the questions on the Skill Validation tests is how many buckets does it take to do a proper car wash and the answer is 3 buckets. The third bucket being your Wheel & Tire Bucket. There you go, I just gave you an answer for the test.
Some soap for the brushes - helps to clean the wheels better and also helps to clean the brushes when your done.
Start by putting your DRY brushes in the bucket.
Back to cleaning one wheel and tire. Just to the right side of this wheel and tire is FULL SUN - it's hotter than heck out here at 2:30pm South Florida time.
Dirty wheel barrel
Dirty wheel face
Spraying on the BLACKFIRE Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Note, this is not a color changing wheel cleaner, it comes out of the bottle red.
I always spray wheels first and let the chemicals go to work dissolving road grime and brake dust. 2 things that build up not just one thing. Then spray the tires with the product.
Here's how you do it - let the machine do the work.
And because it's cordless - you cannot get shocked!
This tool was originally intended to be used for spot polishing but if you've ever tired to polish paint with a drill you know it's cumbersome at best. With the Cyclo Aqua brush it makes a great machine tire scrubber.
Here's a technique tip from a guy that has used this tool a LOT to scrub tires. Hold the brush against the tire sidewall at an angle like you see in the picture below. Most people would naturally think you would hold the face of the brush, that is all the bristles flat against the sidewall and you can if you want but it works better to just hold the tool so only and edge of bristles makes contact with the sidewall. There's a reason too.
Next - time to clean the rims... I usually start with the barrels using the Speed Master Wheel brush.
Then if you're the OCD type of person that needs the back of the spokes clean, (no one will ever see them but what the heck), then bend the brush to get the back of the spokes.
Plop that dirty brush into the bucket of soapy water. In most cases I would then move the bucket to the next wheel and continue until all 4 wheels and tires were cleaned but for this review... I'm done with one.
Now grab your wheel face brush and get the face of the wheel clean.
Here's a tip - BE CAREFUL around valve stems - now days the rubber type are cheap and dry rot fast. If you bump one with a brush there's a good chance it will break off and instead of having fun washing your car you'll be changing a flat tire. Been there and done that, now just trying to help you so you don't have to go through the pain.
Plop the brush into the Wheel and Tire Bucket.
Spray off the wheel and the tire.
Angle the nozzle in from all directions to make sure you rinse all the gunk off.
Nice and clean, which is what you need to use the new BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal.
Cleaning wheels and tires isn't any fun. In fact, it's my least favorite car detailing thing to do. Weird that I do so much of it.
Legs dirty.... aluminum too, just can't see it easily.
Shoes that were clean are now dirty...
