Why do all of my tire dressings streak? Problem with bonding

stemyx

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Hello geeks....this problem is seriously starting to bother me and making me give up on detailing. Dressing tires is my favorite part of the detailing process but it never works out for me! I've tried different tire cleaning brushes, APC'S, degreasers, applicators and dressings but I notice that on smooth tires for SUV'S or trucks none of the dressings want to bond. I clean the tires with La's totally awesome (1:1) and scrub with a hard bristle brush. After the tire is dried, I apply (opti-bond/ CG vrp/ CG new car high shine) with either a paint brush or sponge applicator pads and it comes out streaky or not wanting to bond at all. The pictures below will demonstrate. The first two is CG vrp the third one is opti-bond (didn't bond at all) and the last two are CG new car high shine, which Is the only one that worked out alright but its uneven. Any thoughts of why this happens? Could it be the tires? Because on cars with low profile tires it always works.

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Some tires just don't take well to dressings, as you have discovered. I like CarPro Perl 1:1 but I have seen it streak still on hard compound smooth tires like you have. I think your best bet would be Black Pearl tire coating. It seems pricey but it truly does last.
 
Did you just buy the vehicle/tires, and or use any kind of solvent based dressing???, though regime is great it looks as if its excess un-soaked product, and or needs to be wipe very gently with a general purpose microfiber towel therefore my suggestion would be to use the smallest dot of product next time go around the tire once let it dry for 5 to 10 mins then wipe any excess gently, and if you want to add touch ups then do so but let it dry then wipe once more also look into carpro pearl or meguiuars d101 or even zep citrus apc found locally
 
So it might be that I applied too much?

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It could be that or if the problem still continues then Nth Degree suggestion may be more beneficial
 
I still don't get it. You guys have any suggestions? Or ideas

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You mean the dressing still smeared/didn't stick to your tires
 
first, lose the paintbrush, get a dedicated tire dressing applicator. I have always used straight up liquid tire dressing, no dilution, no fancy gels, just plain old oily, greasy tire dressing. I use a product called Hypershine, its actually the product that Meguiars copied their Hypershine from, its a brand most are unfamiliar with but one of the leading nationwide pro brands that has been around for 50+ years. same color, grape scent. works great for tires. I also use LA's totally awesome straight out of the bottle and get better result than anything, I have tried it all, and its super cheap to boot. there are so many different types of tires out there, you cant compare any one to any other. some tires can be misted with a dressing and look great, other can be applied 5 times and never be shiny. did an F150 today and no matter what I did, could get the outside edge of the tire to hold a shine. most of the time this happens with tires that are old and worn. newer tires generally take dressing much better.
 
first, lose the paintbrush, get a dedicated tire dressing applicator. I have always used straight up liquid tire dressing, no dilution, no fancy gels, just plain old oily, greasy tire dressing. I use a product called Hypershine, its actually the product that Meguiars copied their Hypershine from, its a brand most are unfamiliar with but one of the leading nationwide pro brands that has been around for 50+ years. same color, grape scent. works great for tires. I also use LA's totally awesome straight out of the bottle and get better result than anything, I have tried it all, and its super cheap to boot. there are so many different types of tires out there, you cant compare any one to any other. some tires can be misted with a dressing and look great, other can be applied 5 times and never be shiny. did an F150 today and no matter what I did, could get the outside edge of the tire to hold a shine. most of the time this happens with tires that are old and worn. newer tires generally take dressing much better.

Makes sense. Even with the most oily dressings, worn out tires don't let them bond.

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You mean the dressing still smeared/didn't stick to your tires

Yeah the dressing doesn't stick. And these tires aren't even worn out or old.

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Only thing else to try would be straight or diluted rubbing alcohol on a microfiber you do not want to rub down the tire, though if you have Carpro Eraser that would a better choice by doing this will get the tires 90, 95 even 100 percent clean, however if this don't work Ill leave the tire be or buy newer ones
 
Sounds like the tires aren't clean. I hear (but haven't used myself) that Tuf Shine tire cleaner is good and you clean and clean until it comes out white, which can take 10 cleanings.
 
I still don't get it. You guys have any suggestions? Or ideas
Earlier...I submitted the following:
You mentioned that the tire dressings may
be having a problem with "bonding".

First try cleaning the tires with some:
TUF SHINE Tire Cleaner

Here's more that's geared towards the same cleaning theme:
Sounds like the tires aren't clean. I hear (but haven't used myself) that Tuf Shine tire cleaner is good and you clean and clean until it comes out white, which can take 10 cleanings.

Bob
 
You should keep in mind that the majority of tyre dressings are more like waxes than sealants - they leave a film which sits there rather than actively bonds.

I find that dressings on smoother surfaces, like the tyre in question, can be generally difficult. It is made worse by previous dressings which repel water (i.e. for water based dressings). So the recommendation of cleaning really thoroughly is a good one but my experience is that it is harder to get rid of silicones than detailers think (if it was that easy, why would bodyshops be so darned careful about silicones!?)? Beyond that, the use of solvent based dressings should be good, they will not be repelled by previous silicones since they will partially dissolve and spread.
 
First off, Wow, 2 normal replies from Bob :D
But what he is saying is correct. Clean it well, scrub it until the product turns brown, then rinse down and go at it again and again. Autogeek sells a DA brush for this too.
 
Earlier...I submitted the following:


Here's more that's geared towards the same cleaning theme:


Bob

Alright thanks! Will definitely try this product out.

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Thanks for the feedback....looks like I have to change up my technique in cleaning the tires

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Need to use the right chemicals and process. Here is what I do.

Megs super degreaser 1:4 sprayed on tire. I see the tire starting to brown immediately.

Scrub with nylon brush. 4-5 passes completely around.

Rinse.

Let dry completely.

Get a dedicated foam tire gel applicator. That way it 'holds' the products and you aren't just smearing it around.

I use Opti - bond almost exclusively. Use enough! If unsure but a solid X on the applicator about 1/3 inch thick.

Make several slow, firm circles around the tire, re applying the gel as needed.

If the tire is a little smeared. Buff it down with a microfiber and re apply.

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Need to use the right chemicals and process. Here is what I do.

Megs super degreaser 1:4 sprayed on tire. I see the tire starting to brown immediately.

Scrub with nylon brush. 4-5 passes completely around.

Rinse.

Let dry completely.

Get a dedicated foam tire gel applicator. That way it 'holds' the products and you aren't just smearing it around.

I use Opti - bond almost exclusively. Use enough! If unsure but a solid X on the applicator about 1/3 inch thick.

Make several slow, firm circles around the tire, re applying the gel as needed.

If the tire is a little smeared. Buff it down with a microfiber and re apply.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using AG Online

Thanks!! I will try this process out

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