Tire Shine (also known as tire dressing) is a product that most people overlook. The tires will get dirty the minute you drive, so why even bother?
If you care about how your car looks, you may already invest a lot of time and effort into maintaining its appearance.
Do you spend 2-3 hours every month, washing waxing and polishing your car? What’s another couple of minutes and dollars spent on making the tires look brand new?
After spending all that time detailing your car, leaving your tires in a worn state will only detract from the overall look of the car.
Tire shine products can be the difference between your car looking clean or your car looking show-ready.
These products are designed to darken the tire wall, making them look brand new again while offering an increased level of shine.
Most people go for the “wet-look”, but, you can also achieve a more natural satin look if you desire.
Keep reading this article to learn more about tire shine products.
I’ll tell you the benefits of dressing your tires, which type of product to buy, and list 10 no sling tire dressing products that I recommend trying out.
Benefits Of Tire Shine
- Makes your tires shine & look brand new. This is the biggest benefit by far. Sure it’s vain, but, who doesn’t enjoy their car looking good and turning heads?
- Protects Tires From Sun Damage. Tire shine and dressing products act similar to wax and sealants. They enhance the look of the tire while protecting them from UV rays, meaning the color won’t fade and they’ll be less likely to crack over time.
- Easier To Clean In The Future. Admittedly this is a small benefit, in some cases, you may not even notice it. If you wash your car often, you may find that the dirt is less likely to build up, and it’s easier to wash your tires after applying tire shine.
If you neglect your tires, and don’t wash them often, the product will probably wear off before you next wash the car.
Considering the benefits and the fact that it’s a fairly inexpensive product, tire shine is certainly good value for money.
The price will vary based on how much product you buy, a good tire shine could set you back $5-$20. That being said, many of the products below could last you several years, even with frequent use.
Types Of Tire Dressings
There are two main types of tire dressings that you will find on the market. You’ll have to choose between either water-based or petroleum/solvent-based products.
Each of these come with their pros and cons. You will certainly have a preference, however, you should probably own both, because the results that they offer can be very different.
Water-Based Tire Dressing is considered to be the better dressing by most detailers. They can be very easy to apply, often providing a more natural look, and are mostly sling free.
Even though they’re usually preferred, most water-based tire dressings don’t last very long. They do offer added protection, but it’s limited and most of the time, you’ll find they’re not as glossy.
If you feel like water-based tire dressings are for you, I’d recommend Chemical Guys VRP or Carfidant Ultimate Tire Shine.
Prefer something that’s long-lasting and full of gloss? maybe a solvent-based tire shine is better for you.
Petroleum/Solvent Based Tire Dressings are considered by some actually harm the tire over a long period of time. Some products are rumoured to dehydrate the tire, increasing the likelihood of tires turning brown and cracking.
While no manufacturers have come out and admitted this, Detailxperts have written an article about products to avoid and the various reasons why the products may be harmful.
Because I’m driving a lot, I’m constantly getting through sets of tires, so longevity is not an issue for me.
If you have a weekend car or one that covers very fewer miles in a year, it may be best to use water-based dressings as a precaution.
Potential long-term issues aside, petroleum dressings last much longer, often provide a much deeper gloss and gives you the “wet-look” that you desire.
I don’t believe that manufacturers would design products that hurt your car on purpose.
With that being said, you did come here for no sling tire shine and solvent-based solutions are much more likely to sling.
It’s probably best you research the product before you buy, and then experiment with it yourself.
Sio2 Tire Dressings are a recent innovation that is very quickly gaining in popularity. Sio2 products are made with silicon dioxide (aka Silica) and are known to give a very deep, glossy shine.
Another area where Sio2 dressings stand out is the water repellency that they offer. Sio2 is what a lot of sealants and ceramic coatings use to increase water beading.
As a result, they last much longer, but, because they’re relatively new technology they also cost a lot more.
The best silica-based (Sio2) tire shines are GYEON Quartz Q2 Tire & Adams Tire Shine.
The Best Tire Dressings That Wont “Sling” Off
Below is a list of the best tire dressings that money can buy.
My personal favorite is the Chemical Guys VRP. It’s a non-greasy water-based formula that provides an amazing “wet-look” without sling at a very fair price.
Depending on the type of look that you want to achieve, some products will perform better for you than others.
As you learn more about each product, you’ll be able to make an educated decision of which product will work best for you.
You never really know whether a product meets your needs until you use it and experiment with it yourself.
Chemical Guys Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Protectant (VRP)
For Use On: Vinyl, Rubber Trim & Tires
Size: 4oz / 16oz / 1Gal
Type: Cream / Gel
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I like to maintain a lean detailing setup so I found the Chemical Guys Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Protectant to be very useful.
Instead of going for a dedicated tire shine, I choose to use either VRP or Meguiars Hyper dressing. Because water-based tire shine offers short term benefits and costs a similar price, I’d much rather get a versatile all-in-one product.
VRP promises to restore, maintain, and protect your cars vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces. This can be safely used on the interior and exterior, whether it’s dashboards, door panels, moldings, or tires.
The most important thing is that it’s a water-based product that leaves behind a non-greasy, dry to touch finish. This means you don’t have to worry about any tire sling getting onto your paintwork minutes into your next journey.
As far as the finish goes, it’s as glossy as any water-based product is going to get. It’s a more natural-looking finish though, rather than the greasy wet-look you may achieve with solvent-based products.
I’m always critical of how long detailing products really provide benefits, especially water-based tire shines.
Chemical Guys VRP seems to hold up on tires for 2-4 weeks. When using it as a dressing for trim and interior, you should expect at least double that.
Applying this cream to your car will also protect it from potential sun damage. VRP has specialty UV Blockers that act like sunscreen to protect your tires, plastic and trim from fading and cracking over time.
When compared with Meguiars Hyper Dressing, it’s closest competitor, Chemical Guys VRP will get you similar results for less money.
That being said, if you’re looking for a longer-term, wet-look tire shine, you may want to keep reading.
Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel
For Use On: Tires Only
Size: 16oz
Type: Gel
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Meguiars is a company that comes highly recommended by almost anyone that you speak too.
There’s a reason for this, their products are outstanding, and the Endurance Tire Gel may very well be the best tire shine on this list.
Using a special blend of polymers, the Endurance Tire Gel is designed to protect your tires while providing that rich, wet look all car guys are crazy about!
Meguiars don’t exactly tell us whether it’s solvent, silicone or water-based. I can guarantee it’s not the latter though.
The way that this gel encourages your tire to shine over long periods of time, there’s no way it’s water-based.
When a product is solvent or Sio2 based, you do need to be a little more careful, especially if you don’t want it to sling. Make sure that you’re applying it evenly and that you wipe away any residue before driving.
More often than not, a thin coat on a dry tire will help you to achieve the wet look. Keeping the coat thin will also help to prevent slinging. If you find that after the first coat the tire does not “wet” enough, I’d recommend adding a 2nd.
The main downside of this product when compared to VRP, is that it’s not for use on any other surface. In fact, if you find it on another surface, you should wash it off as soon as possible to avoid any potential stains from occurring.
As far as price goes, it’s priced very similarly to their direct competitors. Most of the leading detailing brands will charge you between $15-$25 for a 16oz bottle. Meguiars is no different.
Gtechniq T1 Tyre n Trim
For Use On: Tires & Trim
Size: 9 oz
Type: Gel
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Depending on how familiar you are with the world of detailing, you’ve may not heard of GTechniq before.
GTechniq are known mostly for their ceramic coating, Crystal Serum which is absolutely amazing. The question is, does their “T1 Tyre and Trim” product even come close?
I obviously believe so, otherwise it wouldn’t be on this list. The “CarCleaningGuru” over on youtube is also a big fan.
T1 Tire & Trim is based on chemical nanotechnology that’s often used in ceramic coatings. If you’re in the market for a product that will actually protect and prolong the life of your tires or trim, this is it.
As well as the added hydrophobic properties, when buying T1 Tire & Trim, you’ll also be buying a very easy to use tire shine and trim restoring product.
If you’re looking for a natural matt or satin finish simply apply one coat of product to your tires or trim.
Looking for that super wet “wet-look”? Apply another coat and be amazed.
GTechniq recommends applying many coats to achieve the wet look, but, you’ll very quickly get diminishing returns.
You don’t want to waste T1 Tire & Trim. It’s not a cheap product.
Once you’ve applied the product, you should get 2 weeks of protection and shine out of it. Obviously the more you drive, or the more it rains, the less you’ll get out of the product.
The main issue with this has to be the price. Not only is it one of the more expensive products, you also get a lot less product.
GTechniq comes in a 250ml / 8oz bottle, whereas most competitors will give you twice as much for the same money.
I definitely like this product. It’s great at rejuvenating your tires and trim, however, I’m a person that holds value for money too highly.
It’s one of those products I’d recommend as a treat or a gift. I probably wouldn’t use it on a regular basis.
GYEON Q2 Tire Shine
For Use On: Tires
Size: 400ml
Type: Gel
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GYEON was the first detailing brand to bring Sio2 based tire coatings to market. Q2 Tire guarantees increased durability and a natural satin finish.
The thing that makes Q2 Tire different from the rest is the application process. Yes, you can grab an applicator and throw it on, but, GYEON recommend pre-heating the tires using a heat gun.
Their theory is that heating the tire wall beforehand will open up the micropores of the rubber. This will then allow the product to soak in, making it last longer and preventing any sling from occurring.
While it’s hard to gauge how long tire shine products actually last but GYEON recommends the product will last at least 5 washes. Of course, this will depend on how long you go in-between washes and how frequently your tires get wet.
In terms of product usage, you’re looking at 10-15ml of product to dress a set of 4 tires. If you have low-profile tires, you should probably expect to use 10ml, a big off-roader may need 15-20.
There’s absolutely no doubt about the quality of this product. The main issue for most will be the price. Can you justify paying more money for less product?
CarPro PERL
For Use On: Vinyl, Rubber, Tires & Trim
Size: 500ml (16oz)
Type: Gel
Buy From Amazon
CarPro PERL is a water-based silicon oxide coat that promises up to three months of protection. Granted, it probably won’t last that long on your tires.
Like Chemical Guys VRP, CarPro Perl can be used to revive faded rubber, plastic, vinyl, trim, and tires.
It’s much more expensive than the Chemical Guys product, but, it does claim to have a much longer life-span.
The one thing I noticed about CarPro PERL is just how black it looks on a tire.
Many dressings are too glossy and greasy making the tire look cheap and tacky. CarPro PERL is one of the best tire shines for those that want a simple but satisfying satin finish.
For the best finish, you should use a 1:1 dilution ratio and apply 1-3 layers. 3 Layers will use up a fair amount of product, but, it will also make your tires darker than the day you first bought them.
While CarPro Perl promises up to 3 months of protection, I’m pretty certain that you will not get that long, after all, it’s a water-based tire shine.
You may get 1-2 months out of each application when used at a 1:1 ratio. It obviously depends on the time of year, how much rain hits the tires and so on.
When buying CarPro PERL, if you were to buy the 500ml bottle, it is much more expensive than the competitors. Yet, if you buy the 1-liter bottle, it works out to be one of the cheaper products on this list (in terms of price per liter).
It’s a great multi-use product that excels on tires. Perfect for any detailer that wants to make their plastic, tires and trim pop!
Griots Garage Long Lasting Tire Dressing
For Use On: Tires
Size: 16oz
Type: Gel
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Griots Garage Long-Lasting Tire Dressing is the last gel or cream type product on this list. Using this product will help you to take care of your tires and enjoy a long-lasting finish at the same time.
I like to think of Griots Garage as a more classier company, with simple branding and effective products. Their tire shine is no different, providing a natural black satin finish.
If you’re looking for a glossier, wet look, you can achieve it with Griots, but, it could take many coats.
Buying a product such as Meguiars Endurance Gel is probably better if you’re looking for a glossy wet look.
Applying more product will also increase the durability, but you’ll quickly work your way through the 16 oz bottle.
The product is generally no sling, but, using too much or applying it incorrectly may cause sling.
The only grudge I really have about this product is the fact that it’s called “longer lasting”. This could mislead some into thinking it will last a long time. In reality, I’m yet to see a tire shine that outlasts another by a considerable amount of time.
As long as you have reasonable expectations and accept the fact that tire dressings wear off fairly quickly, this can be a good product for those looking to achieve a darker tire with a natural look.
The Best Tire Shine Sprays
Adams Tire Shine
For Use On: Tires
Size: 16 oz / 1 Gal / 5 Gal
Type: Cream (Spray)
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Adams Tire Shine is a Sio2 infused formula which offers a no-sling, glossy shine that will keep your tires in top condition and looking good.
The reason that this silicone-based product is sling free is because they use the perfect amount of silicone. This makes it an amazing dry to touch, no sling solution.
Applying 1 coat of this product to your tires will give you a more natural finish, it’s a dark matte look. Yet, if you’re chasing the wet-look, applying multiple layers will give you an incredible gloss shine making your car stand out from the rest.
Unfortunately, when compared to other silicone-based products, Adams Tire Shine isn’t as durable. You can expect 1-3 weeks of shine, but, that quickly fades with rain and frequent driving.
It’s a well-priced product so applying it after every maintenance wash will not have too much of an effect on your bank account. This makes up for the fact that it doesn’t last as long as the competition.
What I love most about this product is the application process. While yes, most tire shines are applied in the same way, this one just seems better, evenly spreading across the tires without much thought.
I’m sure most people reading this article will have a car with low-profile tires, but, the even distribution makes Adams Tire Shine great for bigger tires with aggressive tread blocks.
If you don’t mind having to clean your tires and re-apply the tire shine every 1-2 weeks, this is a great product for you. It’s well priced and gives you that “wet-look” fix, even if it is for a short period of time.
McKee’s 37 Tire Shine SiO2 Enhanced
For Use On: Tires
Size: 16oz / 128oz
Type: Liquid Spray
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McKee’s Tire Shine is a high gloss tire shine that comes with its own premium sponge tire shine applicator. As a result, the price is a little higher than the competing products.
Like a lot of the other products on this list, McKee’s is enhanced with silicon properties making for long-lasting protection.
It’s 100% solvent-free and it dries to the touch, resulting in a no-sling solution that will help to protect your tires from fading, cracking, and turning brown over time.
I was really surprised by this product. All you need to do is spray it on, spreading it evenly across the face of the tire, and in minutes you’ll have a deep satin wet look that lasts for weeks.
That being said, it is a very watery product and during the drying process, it can look uneven. You may be worried about this, but once the solution dries you won’t be able to tell a thing.
McKees tire shine is available in two different sizes, 16 oz and 128 oz. I have to admit that the 16 oz bottle is very poor value for money, buying the 128 oz is much cheaper per liter.
I like to get value for money so the price itself is enough to put me off.
Unless you detail cars every day, there’s no need to buy 128 oz of product. You’ll probably never use it all, meaning it’s not worth the huge up-front cost
McKees is good and it’s worth trying out, but it’s not head and shoulders above any other product, thus I cannot justify the price.
Carfidant Ultimate Tire Shine
For Use On: Tires
Size: 18oz
Type: Liquid Spray
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With this product, Carfidant claims to have made the ultimate tire shine solution.
Carfidant Ultimate Tire Shine is like McKees, but without the expense.
When buying this you’re buying a unique nano-polymer formula that’s easy to apply and allows for full control over the finish.
All you need to do is spray the product on to the tire, give it a quick wipe with the applicator they provide and your tires will look great.
The type of finish that you achieve is based purely upon the amount of product that you apply.
Carfidant provides easy to follow instructions that will allow you to control the type of finish you have. Experimenting with the product is the best way to achieve your desired finish, but it’s always nice when manufacturers provide instructions based on their experience.
Just like any other water-based formula, there are questions over how durable Carfidants Ultimate Tire Shine actually is. I’ve seen people complain that it needs to be re-applied within a week, and others saying they got 2-4 weeks out of it.
As long as you apply enough product, I’m confident that you’ll make it to your next maintenance wash. Just make sure it dries first and you remove any residue, it’s a no sling product, yet, it may sling when applied incorrectly.
I like this product a lot, it’s one that I’d consider using for the road.
Whenever I’m traveling or going to car meets, I always want the car to look its best. Pulling over and applying this spray will make sure my car draws attention everywhere I go.
Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing
For Use On: Tires
Size: 16.9 oz
Type: Liquid Spray
Buy From Amazon
The next spray dressing, AutoGlym instant Tire Dressing is a middle ground between McKees and Carfidant.
Depending on where you’re located, this product can be of great value for money or very poor value for money.
Because AutoGlym is a UK Based company, its understandably cheaper in the UK.
In the states, you may have to pay twice as much. Despite this, it’s still cheaper than McKees, but more expensive than Carfidant.
Autoglym Instant Tire Dressing is a very milky, watery tire dressing that contains durable silicone protectants. I’ve used it many times bringing my horrible budget tires up to scratch.
The one thing I’d suggest when using this product is to shake it well and apply it to a sponge before taking it to your tires. This limits how much overspray will get onto your tires and will prevent potential sling.
I cannot fault this product though. It can be applied to wet or dry tires, and you can control the type of finish you achieve by the volume of product used.
If you’re looking for a deep gloss and wet-look finish, this product is not for you. Instead, you’ll achieve a dark natural satin finish that makes your tires look brand new, not fake.
I’d personally avoid this product If I was in America, I don’t think it’s good value for money there. But, In the UK at <£10 a bottle, it’s great value for money.