... but does it rub off on the pantalones?

 

Just tried the Kiwi leather dye -- meh, not for me. You're basically painting your trim with black leather dye, so you have to be very careful applying it evenly or it looks like a streaky mess. Not happy at all with the time it takes to put on, either.

My sister just handed me her spray bottle of 303 Aerospace Protectant, and I must say it's awesome for the trim. No it doesn't dye your trim, but it does give it a nice, nourished natural shine (like Black Wow does). It will also protect your trim from fading due to UV rays. Plus it's cheap, and very easy to apply -- just spray the towel and wipe it on. Overall I'd say it's a great cheaper alternative to BW.

 

I think when my bottle of Black Wow is used up it will be time to buy a new car.
Three years and over 1/2 a bottle left.
The pain of paying for it is long since over.

 

This is a great thread everyone! Let's talk about some facts and perceptions. First off, everyone has different expectations. Depending on what you are used to, ArmorAll may be the best product in the world to you because you like shiny, greasy plastic. For others, the idea of spending any amount of money for their MINI makes them crazy and think that using a household product like Peanut Butter or olive oil is the best solution in the world. For others, it's shoe dyes or tire gloss dressings that are messy and never dry.

However when Black Wow was first tested and developed here on NAM back in 2007, I had several goals in mind.

1.) I wanted a product that lasts for months and degrades gracefully
2.) I wanted a product that makes the trim look better than new
3.) I wanted it easy to use

The problem with dyes is that they don't go on evenly...you apply it multiple times in a single area and you will see those additional applications. This is the problem with dyes like Forever Black and Griots trim product. Also you need to wear gloves and don't rub against it while it's drying.

The problem with oils is they don't last, and they attract dust. If you wet your trim with water, they look great, until the water evaporates. Oil does the same thing, but it takes longer for it to degrade but it's not really doing anything for your plastic other than taking longer to degrade.

Silicone based products like Armorall are cheap because they are mostly solvents. This is why your trim turns white after it degrades. Silicones are extremely expensive...the more pure, the more concentrated, the more it costs..so that's why they need to be diluted.

Black Wow is silicone based however it actually absorbs into the plastic and stays there and we don't dilute it. When we formulated the product, we specifically designed it so that it would absorb easily, but resist with all it's might to be kicked out and that's why it lasts so long and why I tell people to apply it before washing your car. Let it absorb, and after a few days, what hasn't absorbed is on the surface and can be removed easily.

Does your vegetable oils provide any UV protection to your trim? Does it retain a matte but dark look for months? If you have wax or polish stains, these oils only darken them and mask them. Same with other trim products...the same as if you wet the plastic and once they dry, the spots are still there. Pre-Wow is the ONLY product that actually removes these spots for good. I use dish soap and water to wipe down my Pre-Wow'd pieces to remove it before using Black Wow.

Initially most people think that Black Wow is expensive. That is until they realize that the 2oz $15 bottle actually lasts 4 or 5 years on their MINI.

Come see the latest developments on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/OnlyWow

Black Wow and Pre-Wow were recently used to restore the trim on an old Honda CRX that no other product worked on...the owner was ready to paint it until he tried the Black Wow Systeme.



Black Wow being applied to a MINI at AMVIV 2012. The owner tried it once and wasn't happy with the results. Turned out she had a technique issue. I showed her how to use it and she was blown away by the results. She told me the next day that she was now a believer especially since I suggested she apply it, then have the car washed which is completely contrary to typical trim products.


Richard

 

Is there any more permanent systems out there? I have used Black Wow on my 2007 Mini Cooper since 2009 and it only last for a few weeks before my faded black trim starts to come back. The product works, but only for a short term.

Anybody out there try Renew Protect Blak, www.renewprotect.com I seen it on youtube and was think about trying it out.

 

If it's only lasting a few weeks for you, there is something seriously wrong. I'm getting between 4 to 6 months on my plastics. I have a 2005 Honda Element with plastic panels showing 50/50 splits all the way around as one of my test vehicles...it lives outside and is VERY dirty, lol.

Before switching to a dye based product, you might want to look at your application technique.

Richard

 

Black wow = gritty residue. Just saying. Applied it twice thus far. That's my only gripe about it.

 

So lets just make sure you guys are applying this correctly.

1.) You apply Black Wow a couple days before you plan to wash your car.
2.) You are applying about a sesame seed sized drop for every 2 square feet of trim.
3.) After you've washed and dried your car, you say you get gritty residue?

 

I washed the car. Applied. Few weeks go by, the shine starts fading. Wash a few more times without applying. Not directly washing the trim in those washes, my clothes have black marks. Find out its coming from the trim.

Don't get me wrong, I like the product, when that factory wax started to run down on the fender trim when ever the day got really hot. I applied it and it did its job. If you apply anything that dust or dirt can stick to, whether it's "whatever" based, it's going to get dirty sitting outside of the house or driving everywhere.

 

That is exactly the problem. You are trying to use Black Wow like a typical dressing.

First, Black Wow says right on the bottle that it has a matte finish, not a shiny finish. The initial shine you see is because it's still wet, but the product is designed to absorb into the trim, and what doesn't absorb should be washed off.

That's why, I have always suggested to apply Black Wow BEFORE you wash the car, not after.

You can find the latest application tips on www.BlackWow.com or on our FaceBook page at www.Facebook.com/OnlyWow, or here in the Detailing101 forum.

The black marks you are talking about is dust that's been attracted to the Black Wow that didn't absorb. Apply Black Wow, let it absorb for a few hours or preferably days, then wash the trim/car. The result will be a long lasting dark matte finish.

The "factory wax" you are referring to is Cosmoline and it's a salt water protectant for the engine bay.

If you are hoping that Black Wow remains shiny, this really isn't the product for you, otherwise you will be dealing with the issues you are talking about. However you are not using the product as it was intended.

Thanks for being a Black Wow customer! I'm passionate about my product and I know that when used properly with the right expectations, it will give the best look for the longest time compared to other products.

Richard