Best tire dressings?

J

jaymz

New member
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
132
Reaction score
0
There seem to be a BA-ZILLION tire dressing products out there, and I think I have tried a lot of them. Most of them seem to work cosmetically, but it's the longevity that is my issue. I'm looking for long-lasting, car wash immune products. Any suggestions?
 
TuffShine

Won't give ya the crazy shine, silicone-infused gloss but a nice mid-level gloss that lasts at least 2 to 3 months.
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
TuffShine

Won't give ya the crazy shine, silicone-infused gloss but a nice mid-level gloss that lasts at least 2 to 3 months.
Click to expand...

:dblthumb2:Just got my second bottle..a little goes a long, long way.
 
Rsurfer said:
:dblthumb2:Just got my second bottle..a little goes a long, long way.
Click to expand...
I buy a bottle about every 2 years. Not a fan of high gloss tires, this is a nice 'intermediate shine' thing.

Usually clean tires, apply 2 coats in Spring, maybe another clean/coat in Fall and good to go.
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
I buy a bottle about every 2 years. Not a fan of high gloss tires, this is a nice 'intermediate shine' thing.

Usually clean tires, apply 2 coats in Spring, maybe another clean/coat in Fall and good to go.
Click to expand...

Did you ever try the TW Endura Tire Coating? If so how does it compare? You make it seem like it doesn’t have the same kind of bold look?
 
Eldorado2k said:
Did you ever try the TW Endura Tire Coating? If so how does it compare? You make it seem like it doesn’t have the same kind of bold look?
Click to expand...
Nope, have used Gyeon Tire once or twice but aside from that, just TuffShine since 2016. Was the first product i tried that did exactly what I wanted it to do so never bothered looking for anything else.
 
jaymz said:
There seem to be a BA-ZILLION tire dressing products out there, and I think I have tried a lot of them. Most of them seem to work cosmetically, but it's the longevity that is my issue. I'm looking for long-lasting, car wash immune products. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are in the market to try a tire coating. Most water based tire dressings have a short lifespan.

Based on my experience I would say McKee's 37 > Tuff Shine in terms of longevity/durability and looks. The key with a tire coating is the prep of the tire.
 
I've never messed with tire coatings, but found Duragloss 253 to have the best longevity on tires than anything else I've tried.

One thing to keep in mind is every tire's rubber compound is a bit different, even in the same brand. You'll find one product works great on one tire and less favorably on another.
 
tire shines are kind of in the same category as rainX for me. I never get the longevity I truly desire, but it's just so easy and cheap to apply something after wash. I've found the aerosols the easiest to apply with a good wipe with a eagle tire sponge. I bought some mk tire gel that I'll never buy again. It's harder to apply as it's a gel and doesn't coat evenly or easily on beefier tires like on a truck, but works well enough for a slick summer tire. Longevity is maybe a little longer than the autozone special.
 
Just to note


If you're going to use a tire COATING - the tires have to first be scrubbed SURGICALLY clean to remove all previously applied tire DRESSINGS or the coating won't make a proper bond.

My rule of thumb is - I won't put a tire coating on tires that have already had tire dressings applied.


As for dressing - I don't think like others. I want a WATER SOLUBLE tire dressing so I CAN WASH IT OFF and then I can re-apply it and the tire will look great.

Sovlent or oil based dressing are hard to wash off, that's also why the last a long time.

The problem is they won't LOOK GOOD A LONG TIME.

What looks best is a freshly dressed tire - so I want a tire dressing "I" can remove so then "I" can replace it so the tires look great.


Yeah - I'm not a fan of tire dressing unless they are water-based and easy to remove.


Check out Meguiar's M40


:)
 
I coated my personal tires with McKee's 37 and I think it is spectacular. I took Mike's advice and waited until I purchased new tires to coat them. I'm going on 9 months (but that includes having them off my car during 3 1/2 months during the winter). They really look great.

And I agree, for my cars, I like a more semi-gloss, almost satin appearance on my tires.

But for customers, I find the wow factor comes with something glossier. I use Griot's Garage tire dressing, and I get lot's and lots of "WOWs!"
 
Mike Phillips said:
Just to note






What looks best is a freshly dressed tire - so I want a tire dressing "I" can remove so then "I" can replace it so the tires look great.


Yeah - I'm not a fan of tire dressing unless they are water-based and easy to remove.


Check out Meguiar's M40





:)
Click to expand...
I'm the opposite of you, as I hate scrubbing tires. I use a tire coating for that very reason.
 
Rsurfer said:
I'm the opposite of you, as I hate scrubbing tires. I use a tire coating for that very reason.
Click to expand...

I agree, but for different reasons.

I hate the tire dressings that are so weak you apply them in the evening, and after sitting outside all night a heavy dew or light rain rinses them off! It leaves the tires with a streaked or mottled appearance. I don't have the time to dress my tires every day or two to keep them looking good.

I found with the Duragloss product I recommended earlier, I could dress the tires and it would survive light rain and other moisture pretty well. It will fade over a couple weeks, but stays pretty even and doesn't streak or get blotchy like many I have used.

On a side note, I'm still playing around with PERL. Right now I'm leaning towards using it full strength, but recent conditions have turned my daily driver into a garage queen, so all testing is off.
 
That’s funny, I’m looking to switch from PERL to Duragloss because of Duragloss’s ability to survive a light rain. I guess soon enough I’ll know which one I like better.
 
Always loved the Zaino dressing (I have a few drops left). Almost impossible to get over here in the uk without paying a ridiculous amount of money for it.
 
nickyc said:
Always loved the Zaino dressing (I have a few drops left). Almost impossible to get over here in the uk without paying a ridiculous amount of money for it.
Click to expand...

IIRC their Z16 is a nice dressing, but I still prefer Tuff Shine.
 
I like McKee's 37 Tire Gel. It's not too glossy, doesn't sling much, and longevity is acceptable. My every day car gets washed every 7-10 days. It looks pretty good for that duration.
 
Desertnate said:
I've never messed with tire coatings, but found Duragloss 253 to have the best longevity on tires than anything else I've tried.

One thing to keep in mind is every tire's rubber compound is a bit different, even in the same brand. You'll find one product works great on one tire and less favorably on another.
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
I do like Optimum's line of products, both the Opti-Bond Gel, and the Tire Shine. None of these types of dressings will last quite like a coating will, but the Optimum products seem like they do a very good job of "feeding" a tire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top