When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been struggling between tire dressings. I've used furniture polish (per youtube), silicone spray, and different types of tire slime that ends up all over the sides of my white RDX. What is your favorite for us desert dwellers.
I just put Optimum TPC (Tire Protection Coating) on my RDX yesterday for the first time. It is supposed to last quite a while, but since this is my first time applying it....I'll have to report back with how long it actually lasted. I did two coats. Oh yeah, if you go this route, wear gloves when you apply it.
Armor-All - too greasy and gets pasty after multiple applications
3D Blue Magic (silicone) - too oily, slings onto paint and i've read long term silicone based tire products are not good for the overall health of the rubber - not sure if this is true and dont really care at this point since i stopped using this product
1 Einzett - leftover bottle i used to put on the dash of another car - didn't like, and sling not o paint
Optimum TPC - too thick, sling, too difficult to apply evenly
Finally, I have landed on The Chemical Guys - Natural Shine - to me its the perfect balance of not too shiny, easy to apply with one of those foam applicators, it cleans off nicely, and most importantly doesn't sling even when driving right away after application... Highly recommend it...
Blackfire Tire Gel (used to be called Total Eclipse Tire Gel) Been using it for about 6 years now. I'd say the look is similar to the CG Natural Shine above. Tires will look good through a couple touchless washes also, then need to reapply. It's water-based...I personally stay away from anything with silicone in it for all my dressings.
Armor-All - too greasy and gets pasty after multiple applications
3D Blue Magic (silicone) - too oily, slings onto paint and i've read long term silicone based tire products are not good for the overall health of the rubber - not sure if this is true and dont really care at this point since i stopped using this product
1 Einzett - leftover bottle i used to put on the dash of another car - didn't like, and sling not o paint
Optimum TPC - too thick, sling, too difficult to apply evenly
Finally, I have landed on The Chemical Guys - Natural Shine - to me its the perfect balance of not too shiny, easy to apply with one of those foam applicators, it cleans off nicely, and most importantly doesn't sling even when driving right away after application... Highly recommend it... AmazonLink
How did the TPC sling? My first time trying it I let is sit for about 30 minutes and it dried almost like a clearcoat on the tire...there is no wetness at all to sling? Just curious how you applied it and how long you let it set before driving. I would NOT want any of this to sling up on the paint.... yikes! Thanks!
Chemical Guys - VRP
multiple use applications and very easy to apply with the correct tool (as pictured above)
only issue is that its not super durable when wet
How did the TPC sling? My first time trying it I let is sit for about 30 minutes and it dried almost like a clearcoat on the tire...there is no wetness at all to sling? Just curious how you applied it and how long you let it set before driving. I would NOT want any of this to sling up on the paint.... yikes! Thanks!
The TPC slung (or slinged? haha) not as much as other products i tried, however it did a bit. I applied like normal, made sure there wasn't excess in the tread or the annoying ribbing stuff around the tire an let it sit for about an hour or so before driving - the second slinging (haha) i applied, let it sit and even gently wiped/buffed and it still slung... i still could be doing something wrong but when a friend recommended the CG Natural Shine i tried it and there is no effort necessary.... I hear and experience what people are saying about lasting more than one wash but i just apply every week when i wash..it really only takes a few minutes w/the applicator.
for the record i do the waterless also - my process is spray car down w/ONR solution, wash with ONR, OptiSeal as drying assistant, and BeadMaker as a topcoat.
Chemical Guys - VRP
multiple use applications and very easy to apply with the correct tool (as pictured above)
only issue is that its not super durable when wet
Decades ago, I used Armor All like most everyone else. Once you started using it, you had to reapply liberally and often or your tires would turn brown - it's like crack for tires.
Years later, I switched to STP Son-of-a-Gun Protectant. Amazing stuff! It lasted a long time, wasn't greasy, didn't sling, and didn't turn my tires brown.
Several years ago, it became really hard to find after being discontinued.
After being gone for a few years, it came back, but the formulation is different. It went from a thin, milky liquid similar to Armor All to a viscous, off-white fluid that leaves behind a greasy residue and kills soap suds.
Following extensive research on tire dressings, I purchased a gallon of OPTIMUM Opti-Bond Tire Gel. One use was all it took to prompt a refund.
A couple of years ago, I started going au naturel. No more tire dressings - just a high-pressure rinse followed by soap and water keeps my tires looking new - not artificially dark and shiny.
There is certainly something to be said about a good scrubbing with hot water and soap. Sometimes we tend to complicate what should be simple. Having said that, I will use Stoner Tire Shine every now and again.
05-01-2019, 12:53 AM
Growing up sucks!
