Our Favorite Tire Shines and Protectants to Keep Your Ride Looking Showroom-Ready

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For as long as we've been driving, there has been an elite group of car owners who are willing to go the extra mile to keep their prized possessions looking their best. Here in the present, those fastidious drivers have access to a plethora of detailing products to clean most every component on any vehicle.

The Gear Team isn't interested in just getting the job done; we have an insatiable itch to find the absolute best automotive products to suit your needs. As such, we've compiled this list of the best tire shines, based on our experience.

Things To Consider

There are a number of factors that make for a good tire shine and a few things to consider before you go spraying any old product on your tires.

Types

Tire shine products come in various forms, such as sprays, gels, foams, and even wipes. Each type offers its own application method and finish. Choose the one that suits your preferences and ease of use.

Water-Based vs. Solvent-Based

Water-based tire shines are generally safer for the environment and may offer a more matte or satiny finish. Solvent-based products tend to provide a higher gloss shine but may contain chemicals that could be potentially harmful to the environment—or more challenging to clean up.

Application Techniques

Different tire shine products may have specific application instructions. It's important to read and follow the manufacturer's guidelines to achieve the best results. Common application methods include wiping the product on the tire using a sponge or applicator pad or spraying the product directly onto the tire surface.

Longevity

The durability of any tire shine varies depending on the product and the conditions in which you drive. Some tire shines offer a temporary shine that may last for a few days, while others can provide longer-lasting results. Consider factors like weather conditions, driving habits, and the type of roads you frequently travel on.

Personal Preference

Tire shines can provide a range of finishes, from a subtle satin look to a high-gloss shine. Consider the overall aesthetic you desire for your vehicle when selecting a tire-shine product.

We've used most of the products on this list; the rest, we compiled by consulting editors and other car lovers to see what they use to keep their tires looking showroom-ready. Here are our favorite tire shines on the market.

Tire + Trim Gel

This tire and trim gel from Chemical Guys is just what you expect from one of the best names in the business. This water-based gel gives a nice long-lasting shine, but its party trick is that it's meant to go on just about any trim as well. Apply it to tires, bumper trim, fender liners, or whatever else for a dry-to-the-touch shine.

Speed Tire Shine

Mother's Speed Tire Shine is a silicon-based aerosol spray that, true to its name, goes on quickly and easily. It uses micro-emulsion resin technology to ensure a lasting shine.

Endurance Tire Gel

Meguiar's Tire Shine gel is straightforward. It requires an applicator of some sort (see below), but once on it provides a sling-free, high-gloss, UV-protected finish that will hold up to normal use.

Galactic Black Wet Look Tire Shine Dressing

Chemical Guys has pretty much every imaginable area of automotive detailing covered. When it comes to wheel and tire products, the Guys have more products than some companies' entire catalogs.

Galactic Black tire shine is a spray dressing that's safe on your bumpers and trim. Best of all, it allows the user to control the amount of shine it provides based on how much product is applied.

All-in-One Tire Shine Foaming Sponge

These "wipes" from Eagle One are actually sponges that come pre-saturated and ready to apply the product. This makes the shine super easy to use. A single purchase will net you two sponges, good for dressing four tires.

PermaShine Tire Coating

Pretty much all of ExoForma's products are proudly made in the U.S. We like PermaShine because it's neither a gel nor a spray; it's applied with a rag or applicator pad and then dries within 60 minutes to a slick acrylic coating. This means absolutely no sling or splatter and a deep long-lasting shine.

Cling On Tire Foam

Of course, Chemical Guys has a foam-style offering and, of course, it's good. It provides a deep shine and UV protection, but most importantly, it's super easy to use. In a single step it dresses, protects, and cleans the surface of the tire.

Hybrid Ceramic Tire Shine

Meguiar's uses a Hybrid Ceramic formula that makes this spray-on shine more resistant to water, making it last longer. The formula also makes it more resistant to being slung off when you go out for a spin.

Hybrid Solutions Graphene Acrylic Tyre Shine

Meant to be more than just a tire shine, the combination of graphene and acrylic polymers from legendary car-care company Turtle Wax makes this product more of a coating that protects against harmful chemicals and UV rays, as well as repelling road grime and water. It's great for collectible and show cars.

Armor All Ultra Shine Tire Foam

Despite all of the competition, Armor All has been around for a long time, and there is a reason why. It produces solid products that simply do the job, and Ultra Shine Tire Foam is no different. It cleans, protects, and dresses, leaving a high-gloss shine. Here, you can get six cans of the stuff with a single purchase.

Ultimate Insane Shine Tire Coating

Meguiar's Ultimate Shine Tire Coating aims to deliver a "soaking wet" look thanks to its synthetic polymer chemistry. The aerosol can makes it quick and easy to apply, and advanced resins give it added durability.

Black Magic Tire Wet Foam

Black Magic gets a lot of use from me personally. It is widely available, very affordable, and it works great. Its formula is water-based, but it contains silicones for deeper protection, and it cleans and dresses in a single step.

It can also be ordered in a six-pack for extra savings.

Premium Series Tire Shine

This spray-on dressing from Car Guys is made in the U.S. and features a polymer-based formula that does not contain any alcohol or solvents. Tire Shine uses a proprietary polymer additive that extends the life of the product's shine.

Hybrid Solutions Hyper Foam Wheel Cleaner & Tire Prep

This is NOT a tire shine. It is, however, worth a buy if you're looking to get the most out of your tire shine. It's a foaming wheel and tire cleaner and is super easy to use before applying whichever shine you choose. Simply spray it on, let it sit, and rinse it off.

Tire & Rubber Rejuvenator

This is a pretty specialized product but a necessary one if the Gear Team is as thorough as we think we are. This is another tire cleaner, rather than shine, that's formulated specifically with white wall tires in mind. It will remove silicone-based tire dressings, dirt, and grime, leaving your tires ready for a new coat of shine.

Wonder Wave Foam Contoured Applicator Pads

Once again, if you want the best in any car detailing category, Chemical Guys is a great place to start your search. A simple sponge would have sufficed, but Chemical Guys takes it a step further by adding a laser-cut texture that makes it easier to apply your product evenly and efficiently.

Wheel Detailing Stand

This is a great piece to own if you're serious about detailing. While it's intended for getting at your wheels from every angle, it will make cleaning and applying products to your tires much easier, also allowing access to your brake calipers and fender liners.

FAQs

Why should I use tire shine?

There are various advantages to tire shine. First off, it improves the overall appearance of your car or truck by giving the tires a dark, clean appearance. Additionally, it assists in preventing the rubber from fading, drying out, and cracking due to UV radiation and other environmental factors.

Can I use tire shine on all types of tires?

Yes, you may use tire shine on any kind of tire, whether it's composed of rubber, vinyl, or plastic. To make sure that the product is compatible with the particular tire material you are using, it is crucial to read the product instructions thoroughly.

Is there a proper way to apply tire shine?

Tire shine is quite easy to apply. First, carefully clean the tires to get rid of any dirt or debris. Before applying, thoroughly shake the tire shine product, then spray or apply it to a sponge or applicator pad. Make sure to apply the product in a thin even layer. Tire shine products can reduce traction if applied to the treaded section of the tire, so be sure to let the tire shine dry completely before driving.

Is tire shine safe for the environment?

Many tire shine products are made to be safe for the environment. When considering the environment, it's crucial to select products that are marked as eco-friendly or biodegradable. Additionally, take care not to overspray tire shine onto neighboring surfaces or locations where it might wash off into storm drains.

Can I use tire shine on other parts of my vehicle?

Tire shine is designed for use on tires; it might not be suitable on other components of your car. However, some tire-shine products may be used safely on other surfaces like trim, bumpers, or wheel wells. Examine the product's directions and labels.

Why Trust Us

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with our integrity and the trust our readers place in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven't.

We've evaluated dozens of products, from SIM Racing Setups and Rooftop Cargo Carriers to Affordable Watches. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype.

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