Very sleek tire shine

[DanielM]

So far I have used two different type of tire shine and I can't seem to get that wet look. Granted, after finishing, my tires look brand spanking new but I want more. It is odd because when I look at youtube videos, it looks much better than my own unless it is the camera angle/lighting.

So far I have used Armor All Extreme Tire Shine Gel and Griots High Gloss Dressing. I prep by cleaning the tire with car soap and a sponge. Then I use tire cleaner with a brush then rinse. I dry each tire.

For the Armorall, I use a tire applicator apply then wait ten minutes for a second coat. I have done up to 3 coats. I can see the grease binding to the tire but it just doesn't look sleek.

Griots, I use a spray bottle with a very fine mist not to waste product, then use my tire applicator. I don't see any grease residue.

Is there a product you recommend for that wet look preferably that only requires one coat?

[The Guz]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

Car wash soap is not enough to clean the wheel. A dedicated tire cleaner will clean better and allow the tire gel to last longer. Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner works well at cleaning tires with a tire brush.

As far as a wet looking tire gel perhaps endurance tire or the new hot rims reflect. D163 tire & trim gel is another good one. 2 coats gives a glossy look.

[Top Gear]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

For me, if it's a car that gets driven in the real world, then unless it's kept dry, there's nothing that's going to last more than a few days, so doing complicated applications and coats is out. I use ArmourAll Extreme Shine in the aerosol can (with the trigger nozzle), and ArmourAll Extreme Tire Foam when I need a little cleaning help during a waterless wash. I usually keep them in the trunk.

A spray of the foam product lasts a day or two, but cleans the sidewall very nicely, so I might follow up the next day with the aerosol. The aerosol product is more waxy-reflective and can last a week or so, as long as the tire remains dry and clean during that time. The tire foam doubles as a very nice parts coating for the wheel wells, undercarriage, engine bay parts. Both cans are cheap and last a decent number of applications, months sometimes.

I don't know what Meguiar's products these translate into (AA is easier to find in retail stores on the go). I'm sure there are wetter, glossier solutions for show cars, but the question is how much trouble are they to apply. It's hard to beat a quick circular spray around the sidewall (more and it just runs off anyway), while even a few blocks at low speed on a wet street after a rain can rinse off that shine and coat the tire with grime - glad I didn't spend an hour doing sidewalls when that happens.

[Old Bear]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

I used a product that made the tires a little shinier than new. Using a sponge applicator, I put it on fairly thick about 1 Feb. After 90 days and with only about 100 miles on the garaged truck, I took it to my good mechanic. Since the goal was to make the truck stop, he needed to pull all four tires. After he pulled the first tire, I was required to promise not to put it on again. If it's not drying, it is also "slinging" onto the rocker panels.

[Blueline]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

MY preference is matte black tires. not fond of the glossy tire look, so no need to go into my matte preferences. I did use Meguiar's Hot Wheels once and I believeit was quite shiny.

[briarpatch]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

As Guz said.....you need to properly clean the tires before applying a dressing. For really shiny tires, I use Meguiars High Endurance Tire Gel

[roushstage2]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

After using a good cleaner on the tires, IMO, aerosol sprays give the shiniest shine.

[DanielM]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

As Guz said.....you need to properly clean the tires before applying a dressing. For really shiny tires, I use Meguiars High Endurance Tire Gel

I think he misread. "I prep by cleaning the tire with car soap and a sponge. Then I use tire cleaner with a brush then rinse. I dry each tire." I do two steps.

[DanielM]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

For me, if it's a car that gets driven in the real world, then unless it's kept dry, there's nothing that's going to last more than a few days, so doing complicated applications and coats is out. I use ArmourAll Extreme Shine in the aerosol can (with the trigger nozzle), and ArmourAll Extreme Tire Foam when I need a little cleaning help during a waterless wash. I usually keep them in the trunk.

A spray of the foam product lasts a day or two, but cleans the sidewall very nicely, so I might follow up the next day with the aerosol. The aerosol product is more waxy-reflective and can last a week or so, as long as the tire remains dry and clean during that time. The tire foam doubles as a very nice parts coating for the wheel wells, undercarriage, engine bay parts. Both cans are cheap and last a decent number of applications, months sometimes.

I don't know what Meguiar's products these translate into (AA is easier to find in retail stores on the go). I'm sure there are wetter, glossier solutions for show cars, but the question is how much trouble are they to apply. It's hard to beat a quick circular spray around the sidewall (more and it just runs off anyway), while even a few blocks at low speed on a wet street after a rain can rinse off that shine and coat the tire with grime - glad I didn't spend an hour doing sidewalls when that happens.

I hear you. Mine is a daily driver. Actually, Griots was not that bad after 24 hours but I have seen way sleeker. How many coats do people do? So there is no one coat wonder?

[DanielM]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

Car wash soap is not enough to clean the wheel. A dedicated tire cleaner will clean better and allow the tire gel to last longer. Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner works well at cleaning tires with a tire brush.

As far as a wet looking tire gel perhaps endurance tire or the new hot rims reflect. D163 tire & trim gel is another good one. 2 coats gives a glossy look.

I do both "I prep by cleaning the tire with car soap and a sponge. Then I use tire cleaner with a brush then rinse. I dry each tire".

Do you apply real liberal? Call me cheap but I do a mini pump then use my tire applicator to avoid overspray.

I will try looking those up.

Does the tire itself also have something to do with it?

I will pull up a video on those and give one of those a try.

[Top Gear]

Re: Very sleek tire shine

I hear you. Mine is a daily driver. Actually, Griots was not that bad after 24 hours but I have seen way sleeker. How many coats do people do? So there is no one coat wonder?

That's just it: I know there are much shinier and wetter and glossier products I can use, but they won't stay that way after a short drive on a wet road (that I can't always predict) and they are not a quick application. The aerosol I use (and the related tire foam when cleaning the sidewall is needed) gives a very decent shine that's wet enough and glossy enough (for me), and it's literally one spray around the sidewall, easy to replace or touch up after that short drive on a wet road. Otherwise the stuff will last for a number of dry days - to me, that's a one coat wonder. I like how it looks shiny, even classy and understated if you will, not overkill blingy. That look is a little too "loud" for my tastes, as well as being hard to maintain, so it works out for me.