With summer right around the corner, many of us will be thinking it’s about time for a good detail to set the car up for the summer. What better way to cap off all your hard work than by applying a carnauba wax to really set the paint off in the harsh summer rays. In the summer months I tend to use one of my personal favorites (and a favorite among a lot of professionals and enthusiasts alike), Blackfire Midnight Sun Carnauba Wax.
Blackfire Midnight Sun is the latest wax from Blackfire that delivers a deeper and wetter finish then any other product we have ever tested from Blackfire. Blackfire has put as much pure Brazilian Ivory Carnauba Wax in this product as reasonably possible with gloss enhancing oils. The addition of more carnauba gives this wax a harder appearance and feel to it. This creates a “hard candy” like effect, which really magnifies the paint and makes it look super glossy. The harder formula also offers stronger protection against abrasions and temperature change. After extensive testing and revisions Blackfire was able to keep this product very easy to apply and remove as well. Apply one coat by hand and you’ll be sure to turn heads with this outstanding wax. You can put it on the paint after washing, clay barring, polishing, glazing or sealing your paint. No matter what steps you’ve previously completed you will add significantly more gloss and depth the to the paint. Use the Blackfire Midnight Sun Carnauba Paste Wax and see just how great your paint can really look!
Over my years of detailing I have been on the search for an affordable, outstanding looking wax. One that gives depth, clarity, crisp reflections, and one that won’t break the bank. After trying waxes from multiple different manufacturers ranging in price from $10 all the way up to $1,000 I found one of the few waxes that has made an impact on my wax collection, and one that will be continually refilled for years to come.
The wax that left such a big impact in terms of looks, ease of use, and price was Blackfire Midnight Sun Carnauba Wax.
One of the main reasons this wax has become such a staple in my detailing arsenal was the look it gave on a variety of colors–but more specifically metallic colors. After application, the depth given by the wax rivals that of the most expensive waxes on the market. The clarity it brings through the metallic flakes allows colors to shine in the lowest light scenarios. When you park you car in direct sunlight, however, the amount of flake pop from metallic colors is more than I have seen from a wax before.
Even on non-metallic paints, the amount of “wetness” brought to the paint is hard to beat.
At about $60 as offered by Detailed Image, I have found it nearly impossible to second the looks of this wax, at this price point.
Besides looks of a wax, the other big factor is ease of use. After spending multiple hours prepping the paint for the final product, or last step product (LSP), the last thing anyone wants to do is fight the paint with the wax if it were to streak or not come off easily. If applied thinly, and left to cure, this wax has become one of the easiest for me to use lately. I am able to move my way around the car waxing, and by the time I finish every panel, I go right back around again buffing off the wax with a plush microfiber dampened a little by de-ionized water for quick and easy removal.
Using a Lake Country Red Foam Applicator Pad will aid in laying on a thin, but well-spread coat. The applicator pad fits perfectly into the pot, and with the ultra soft foam, you can easily expect to get 20+ uses out of one pot.
When looking at the tub, it’s a thick frosted plastic with a gloss black plastic lid. Opening the lid reveals one of the greatest smelling waxes I’ve come across–a vanilla/maple smell. Now, I know smell has nothing to do with how the wax performs–but being able to enjoy the smell of a wax as you apply it makes it that much more pleasant! If you can get passed the smell, and examine the wax, it seems a bit on the hard side. But fear not! With a dampened Lake Country Red Foam Applicator Pad the wax is lifted with ease.
The last thing to consider with a wax is durability. Now, you can’t expect a carnuba wax to last a year. But with a well-prepped surface and gentle maintenance washes, it is not unheard of to get 1-3 months out of a layer of wax. Your miles will vary with color, how much sun it’s exposed to, and your wash routine. For added durability and effect, I would even recommend sealing the car with Blackfire Wet-Diamond All Finish Paint Protection before waxing, to add another 3-4 months of perfect water beading to the paint!
Overall, as I stated in the beginning, this wax is one of the best I’ve come by, of the 20-30 different waxes I have tried over the years. The ease of use, durability, and of course, the look of this wax is hard to match. I hope this review has aided you in making the all-important decision as to the rewarding look everyone is after spending hours prepping the surface!
You, too, can make your silver metallic reflect just as well as jet black!
Please, if you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to post below!
Thanks, Aaron Baumann AC Detailing Freemont, CA