Best method to apply tire spray?

[paranoid123]

What is the best way to apply tire shine sprays? I realize you should leave it on as long as possible, in fact someone told me that you shouldn't wipe off the excess at all to maximize the shine.

When I wash the car, there are some issues I want to avoid. I don't like applying it after the car has been washed, because I'm afraid of overspray on a newly washed and dried paint surface. I also don't want to spray it on a tire that still has some wetness from the wash (I don't want to wipe a tire dry with my chamois). I don't want the excess dripping on to a newly washed and wiped rim. I also don't want to water down, wash off, or rinse off the spray while washing.

I personally use Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray, but the question is valid for any tire spray. Using this method the shine really stays on for about three days, and really goes downhill after that. So this is my method:

1) Spray tires liberally with Hot Shine FIRST. (I don't use any dedicated tire cleaner)

2) hose down car, taking care not to get any water on the tires or the rims at this point. Wash the car. This gives the tire spray about 15-20 minutes to sit in the tire.

3) Hose down rims, taking care to avoid spraying right onto tire surface. Wash rims. (I don't really use any dedicated rim cleaner). Rinse off rims and the rest of the car.

4) Dry car with chamois. Take care to dry the rims without touching the tire.

5) Get a rag, spray on more Hot Shine. Wipe off the excess Hot Shine off the tires.

Is there a more acceptable way to apply tire spray and maximize the affects? Can I make them look shiny for at least a week?

[Mike Phillips]

Either wash tires well with a dedicated wash mitt or brush for tires with car wash soap or a dedicated tire cleaner such as our NEW NXT Generation Tire Cleaner.

After drying the tires, apply the tire dressing of your choice.

for Aerosols, mist the product on and allow it to atomize over the entire surface. Wait a few minutes and then mist on another light application to insure uniform appearance.

For spray-on, (trigger spray), or gels, spray or apply product onto either a foam tire swipe, foam pad or tatty but clean wiping cloth and apply to tires this way. Work product into rubber and then allow a few minutes for product to penetrate. Apply a second coat if need to insure a uniform appearance.

In all cases, wipe any excess off to prevent the excess from slinging when is under way.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I basically do the same thing that Mike suggests. This task is completed at the very end, after the washing (including the wheels and tires) and the drying of the vehicle has been completed.

My favorite dressing for the tires is Meguiar's All Season Dressing (D-16001). Using a dedicated foam applicator pad, I spray the applicator heavily with the ASD. I then apply the ASD with the saturated applicator to each tire, adding more ASD to the foam appliactor as needed. I then allow at least 5-7 minutes, and then go back and thoroughly wipe down the tires with a dedicated MF towel. Make sure on tires that have raised lettering or ridges that extra wiping is completed around those areas. The resultant finish is just awesome, and no sling!

All Season Dressing




Here is a sample of what ASD looks like...



Tim

[paranoid123]

Hi Mike,

I see you're advocating spraying on the tire spray after the car is washed and dried. I realize this is a bit elementary, but how can I avoid overspray of the tire product on to a newly washed and dried car, and dripping onto and newly washed and dried rims? A spray atomizer has a tendency to get on to places where you don't want it.

Rereading my original post, I want to point out that on step 5, I spray more Hot Shine right on to the rag, and wipe the tires with it.

Thanks!

[paranoid123]

Great looking wheel/tires!

But looking at the picture, the overspray problem is more likely for me than on a jeep. My car has a lowered suspension so the body is much closer to the tires.

[jetta18T]

Hey Paranoid...
I was having the same exact problem you were having before with overspray, and it drove me nuts to have it on a freshly washed car. The best solution I found and still use to this day is using a product like Tim had suggested such as All Season Dressing and putting a little bit in a cup. Then use a paint brush and gently apply the dressing to the tires. I think you'll find you have a lot more control, avoid the overspray, and don't have the problem of staining the street as much. It has worked great with me. Good luck!

[grover]

The method I use and have had good luck with is as follows:
- Spray APC on tires and scrub with scrub brush (rinse)
- Spray Hot Rims on rims and wipe with sponge (rinse)
- Hose down entire car and wipe with Water Magnet
- Spray Hot Shine tire spray onto applicator pad and wipe the dressing onto the tires
- Clean up the car wash supplies (buckets, sponges, hose, etc.)
- Take an old rag (I use an old terry cloth that is on its last legs) and do a final wipe of the tires to get excess dressing off

I haven't had any problems with slinging and the product looks good for a week or two. As you can see there is a built "setting time" of about 10 minutes while I clean up the supplies and this seems to work great.

[Michael Stoops]

I use Hyper Dressing cut 2:1 and apply with an Eagle One tire dressing applicator (the concave shaped things). I put on a fairly generous coating and let it dry completely and I have no problems with slinging.

[SiriusRIMZ]

Originally posted by paranoid123
Great looking wheel/tires!

But looking at the picture, the overspray problem is more likely for me than on a jeep. My car has a lowered suspension so the body is much closer to the tires.

I have a Grand Cherokee, dont know if its the same as yours, but Its a Jeep thing...

Anyways, I use 1.5" Masking tape around the edge of the wheel to prevent the product from running onto my rims. I wash with NXT and old rags. I then use Insane Shine, and wipe off any overspray that gets onto my paint, after a couple of passes I take off the tape and roll.

[Hannibal]

Have u tried one of those crescent shaped tire dressing applicators? They are pretty cheap, 2/$1 generic, or Eagle1's are 2/$3 and are double sided and get into the recesses of the sidewall.