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Tire shine/protectant recommendations?

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I know that most guys on TMO track their cars so it is unlikely that many are concerned about tire bling, but for street duty is like to keep the car looking clean 8) I've tried several different "retail" tire gels but they all seem to stay "wet" and tend to splash if applied too heavily. Are there any retail tire gels that provide shine yet dry To mitigate splashing into the body? Thanks!
 
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Honestly,
they will all splash. The trick to minimizing or eliminating this is to apply and then take a paper towel and wipe the tire down. Even better is to let the car sit over night before driving (and after wiping). I have to done this my white cars (including a GT500 I used to own) and it worked perfectly....
 
As owner of a small detail shop, I agree with Big Taco. I prefer Meguiars to dress the tires; don't apply too heavily, and wipe it with a paper towell to spread and thin it.
 
I use Croftgate Tire Shine and it has a nice matte finish to it. Doesn't make a mess. I don't use it on my track tires though. ;)
 
I'm a Chemical Guys fan. They have several different water-based tire dressings that do dry to a shine with zero sling. The shine last about a week and will then need to be reapplied. I use a contoured tire dressing applicator and have not experienced sling. The wet oil-based dressings are a whole different animal


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Thanks for all the suggestions! I just detailed the car this weekend and used the Black Magic gel I've been using on all my other cars. I applied a very light coat, spread it out as much as possible, then wiped it off with a rag just to leave a "residue" shine. It seems to be enough to shine the tires a but not thick enough to sling. I just hope it doesn't rub off onto my car cover...
 
straightliner1 said:
Black Magic is oil based, right? I used to have a bottle. I don't recommend putting the cover on unless you cover the wheels


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Justin, yes I believe it is oil based. I have the cover on now and there doesn't seem to be any gel rubbing off onto it, but I'll be sure to place a rag of some sort to protect the cover from getting contaminated. Thank you, sir!
 
+1 for Meguiars. Apply it thin. I don't use paper towels and I have no sling problems. I have used paper towel for a clean up in the past though and that worked as well
 
Very good question and I'm going to disagree with previous answers. You do not want any petroleum or silicon-based product on a tire particularly not a performance car. If you are familiar with tire technology and rubber you know that silicone will strip the emoliates out of the tires. CroftgateUSA TIRE SHINE PLUS is the only thing I use. I love the product so much I became a distributor for the product and I own Croftgate of the triangle you can check it out at croftgateusa.com or buycroftgateraleigh.com The reason for this is you want to add emoliates to your tires to prolong the life and improve performance if you use the products mentioned in the other replies they're actually going to cause the tires to deteriorate and lose performance.
 
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I use water based tire dressing in a touch up gun.
It offers good control and it's fast.
Hit any wheel overspray with a microfiber and go.
Also useful on hitting the wheel wells and other friendly plastics you want to look better.
As always YMMV.
 

Big Black

Good, fast<del>, and cheap</del>
I've been having luck with just the cheap stuff (Exterme Tire Shine) sprayed on heavy, wait an hour and then a normal wash with a couple 2 ft sprays from my honda, takes off the shine but leaves the black. Cup 2's.
 

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