Remember how nice and shiny your car looked when you first drove it off the dealership lot? Well, to keep your vehicle looking new, you will need to detail it from time to time.
It is common to wash and wax the outside of your vehicle to keep the paint looking new. However, people mostly tend to forget to take care of their tires as well.
Why is tire care so important?
Washing your tires will help remove dirt and debris stuck in the treads, but it does not protect the tires from cracking, hardening, or fading over time.
Plus, your tires allow you to start and stop your vehicle safely, so maintaining them is pretty crucial. Therefore, we’re going to take a look at the best tire shines currently available to make your tires look great as well as protect them longer down the road.
So, let’s get straight to it, starting with our…
Contents
- 1 Top 5 Best Tire Shines To Buy In 2022 Reviews
- 1.1 1 Chemical Guys Dry-to-the-Touch Long Lasting Super Shine Dressing – Best Multipurpose Tire Shiner
- 1.2 2 Meguiar’s G7516 Endurance Tire Gel – Best Value Tire Shiner
- 1.3 3 TriNova Tire Shine Spray No Wipe – Best Tire Shine Spray
- 1.4 4 Griot’s Garage 10995 Black Shine Tire Gel – Longest Lasting Tire Shiner
- 1.5 5 Blue Magic 680-06PK Supreme Tire Shine – Best Aerosol Tire Shine
- 2 Best Tire Shines Buying Guide
- 3 Maintenance Matters
- 4 Which of the Best Tire Shines left our tires the shiniest?
Top 5 Best Tire Shines To Buy In 2022 Reviews
Products | Type | Size | Price | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Type Cream | Size 16 Fluid Ounces | Price $ | ![]() |
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Best Choice Meguiar’s G7516 Endurance Tire Gel ![]() View Price | Type Gel | Size 16 Fluid Ounces | Price $ | ![]() |
Also Great TriNova Tire Shine Spray No Wipe ![]() View Price | Type Spray | Size 18 Fluid Ounces | Price $$ | ![]() |
Type Gel | Size 16 Fluid Ounces | Price $$ | ![]() |
|
Type Aerosol | Size 15 Fluid Ounces | Price $$$$ | ![]() |
1
Chemical Guys Dry-to-the-Touch Long Lasting Super Shine Dressing – Best Multipurpose Tire Shiner
The first tire shine comes to us from Chemical Guys. This is their V.P.R. model tire protectant that can be used on vinyl, rubber, and plastic.
It is a water-based protectant that comes in a 16-fluid ounce bottle. A little goes a long way with this creamy protectant, so this bottle should last for quite some time.
Application…
Before applying it to your car, you will first want to make sure that you thoroughly clean the area that you want to protect and shine. Then you will want to get out a foam applicator pad and a microfiber towel. Unfortunately, Chemical Guys have not included either of these with this product.
With your foam pad in hand, add a few drops to it, and then rub it onto your tires using long smooth strokes, so it goes on evenly. If you have any excess protectant on your tires, use a microfiber towel to remove it.
The results?
You should immediately notice that your tires appear much shinier. This product will protect your tires from UV radiation that can cause them to crack and harden too.
If you still have extra tire shine on your applicator pad, you can use it to touch up your door handles or the various trim works around your vehicle as well.
May need a few coats…
Overall, this tire shine works well, but you may find yourself having to apply more than one coat to achieve the best results.
Pros
- Can also use on vinyl and plastic.
- Only takes a few minutes to dry fully.
- Each application lasts up to two weeks.
- UV protective.
Cons
- Applicator pads and microfiber towels are not included.
2
Meguiar’s G7516 Endurance Tire Gel – Best Value Tire Shiner
When it comes to detailing products, you will most likely have heard of Meguiar’s. Meguiar’s Endurance® Tire Gel is one of the cheaper products in this top tire shines roundup.
With “Endurance” in its name, we expected this tire gel to last. It did not disappoint; each application lasted for over two weeks, even in rainy conditions, which was quite a surprise to us.
Can your tires be too shiny?
Meguiar’s Endurance® Tire Gel leaves your tires looking like they just came off the showroom floor.
It looks great and leaves an extremely glossy finish, but you may find it too shiny. If you have not washed your car recently, it definitely makes it more noticeable.
Gel formula…
Since it is a gel, it looks wet and takes longer to dry than other cream-type protectants as well. Like other tire shines, you will want to lightly rub this onto your tires with a foam pad for best results.
You can expect to be waiting for about five minutes for it to fully dry. However, as it goes on to your tires, you will immediately notice the difference it makes. This makes it easier to apply without missing any spots. Plus, once it is dry, you will not have to worry about it running off on to your paint either.
Pros
- Will last for over two weeks, even in rain.
- Easy to apply.
- Leaves your tires looking like new.
- Does not drip or run once applied.
Cons
- Takes a while to completely dry.
3
TriNova Tire Shine Spray No Wipe – Best Tire Shine Spray
If you want a tire shine that does not require a pad or towel, then look no further. This tire shine from TriNova sprays directly onto your tires.
The TriNova Tire Shine Spray comes in an 18-fluid ounce bottle with a wide spray nozzle. This allows you to quickly cover a large area of your tire with just one spray. You can also adjust how dark and shiny you want your tires to look based on how much of this product you apply. It leaves you with a wet, glossy finish that stops UV radiation from damaging your tires.
But there is a catch…
The wide-angle spray nozzle also makes it easy to miss spots, though. Thankfully, TriNova has included a small foam applicator pad with this product, allowing you to coat your tires more evenly.
While this product may be labeled as “No Wipe,” we found we had to use the included applicator after every spray. Not only will you miss spots, but the tire shine will also runoff your tires. It also takes quite a bit of time to dry unless you rub it in with the applicator pad as well.
Final thoughts…
Spraying this tire shine directly onto the foam pad allows you to apply it more efficiently, but you will need to apply more coats before your tires truly start to shine.
Thankfully, when you do get it applied thoroughly, it works well and will last for quite some time before you need to reapply more.
Pros
- Choose your level of shininess.
- Wide-angle nozzle covers large tire sections.
- Comes with a foam applicator.
- UV protective.
Cons
- Does not dry quickly.
- Will often run down off your tires.
4
Griot’s Garage 10995 Black Shine Tire Gel – Longest Lasting Tire Shiner
Next up is another gel-type tire shine from Griot’s Garage. Griot’s Garage 10995 Gel Shine is made to stand up against rain and be extra long-lasting.
We like the thickness of the gel…
Once you squeeze some of the gel from the 16-fluid ounce bottle, you will at once notice how thick the gel is. This makes applying it extremely easy since it does not runoff your tires.
However, if you want your tires to have a very high gloss shine, you will have to apply multiple coats of this product. The first coat will leave your tires with a light satin finish, which will be adequate for essential protection from UV radiation.
As you apply more, the tires get shinier, and water will bead up off them better as well. Even though the gel is thick, it dries quickly from our experience.
How quickly exactly?
You can expect a wait time of two to three minutes between coats. It took us three coats for us to see the best performance out of this particular tire shine.
Each application does use quite a lot of product, but results can last for up to a month! It is not the cheapest tire shine we have looked at, though. Moreover, you can expect to pay a bit more after buying it because it does not come with an applicator pad either.
Pros
- Thick gel formula means no running.
- Quick-drying.
- Lasts up to a month.
- UV protective.
Cons
- No applicator pad supplied.
- Relatively costly.
5
Blue Magic 680-06PK Supreme Tire Shine – Best Aerosol Tire Shine
The final product we will look at in our best tire shiner reviews comes to us from Blue Magic. Unlike the other tire shines we have looked at, this one is an aerosol.
Great for those with multiple vehicles to maintain…
It comes in a six-pack of 15 fluid ounce cans. This does increase the price point of this product, but with so much tire shine on hand, you will not need to buy more for quite a long time. Each canister comes with a tire tread type lid that protects the small spray nozzle beneath it. Actually, this aerosol spray might remind you of spray paint.
As you depress the nozzle, fine particles are released. You can adjust the spray diameter by moving the can closer or further away from your tires. This allows you to coat your tires quickly and accurately. It also dries extremely fast and supplies an almost instant shine to your tires.
How long does it last, though?
Well, the lifespan of this tire shine will vary depending on weather conditions. We typically found that each coat will last about a week.
If driving in the rain, you will want to reapply it every three to four days, though. It just does not hold up in wet weather, unfortunately. However, as the tire shine wears off, it is easy to notice. We’re guessing this might be why this tire shine comes in a six-pack, so you will always have some on hand to quickly touch up your tires when need be.
Pros
- Comes in a six-pack of 15 oz cans.
- Drying time is almost instant.
- Aerosol nozzle for precise application.
Cons
- Regular reapplication required.
Best Tire Shines Buying Guide
Not all tire shines are created equal. In this review, we have put the top tire shines up against one another, but you will have noticed they all have their own pros and cons.
Gel, Cream, or Spray?
You will have noticed gel, cream, spray, and aerosol-type tire shine protectants throughout this review. A cream-type shine is usually water-based and will leave your tires with a satin-like appearance when applied.
They typically go on and dry quickly, but they do not work that well in wet conditions. On the other hand, a gel tire shine can usually stand up to rain or even a car wash.
More benefits of gel…
Gel-type tire protectants also usually leave your tires with a very glossy appearance, just like spray-on and aerosol shines. With a gel shine, drying times are going to be longer than with spray-on or cream-type tire protectants, though.
Spray options?
Spray-on shines can typically run off onto your rims or paint if not allowed to dry thoroughly. This can cause your paint to have a hazy-type look to it and can sometimes be difficult to remove.
However, no matter the type of tire shine you go with, they will protect your tire’s rubber from cracking and hardening over time.
Depending on the tire shine, you may also be able to use it on the vinyl and plastic parts of your vehicle as well. This will allow you to protect your car’s trim and even the dashboard!
How to Apply your Tire Shine
Most tire protectants will require a foam applicator pad to be applied. You will not typically find one included with your tire shine, so you may need to head to a local automotive store.
With cream and gel-based tire shines, you will want to apply a few drops at a time to your foam applicator. Then rub the product onto your tires in a continuous motion for best results.
Gel-based tire protectants will provide a wet look to your tires right off the bat, allowing you to quickly notice any missed spots.
This is where spray-on products…well, shine…
Spray-on and aerosol tire shines often go on the quickest. With both aerosol and spray tire shines, you will want to have a steady hand, so you do not get it on your paint or rims, though.
Once a spray-on shine is applied, you will also want to make sure it does not run off onto your wheels. Gel-type shines will typically take the longest to dry, but they do not commonly runoff thanks to their thick consistency.
And cream shines?
A cream shine also dries quickly but not so fast that you do not have time for added touch-ups and to remove any excess.
Regardless of what you choose, if you ever apply too much product to your tires, you can remove the excess with a towel. A microfiber towel works the best from our experience.
Maintenance Matters
Vehicle maintenance includes much more than shining up your tires, of course. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
So, take a look at our latest reviews of the Best Rust Prevention, the Best Rust Converters, the Best Tire Pressure Gauges, the Best Headlight Restoration Kits for your money in 2022!
For those of you who like to save on maintenance costs by DIYing professional tasks, check out our reviews of the Best Vehicle Lifts for Home Garages, the Best Car Creepers, the Best Carburetor Cleaners, and the Best Car Health Monitors for home vehicle maintenance.
Oil changes? No problem! We have in-depth reviews of the Best Oil Filters for Cars, the Best Oil Drain Pans, the Best Diesel Oils, and for those looking for top vehicle performance, the Best oW 20 Synthetic Oils, and the Best Cold Air Intake available on the market right now!
OK, back to the best tire shiners…
Which of the Best Tire Shines left our tires the shiniest?
The winner of this roundup has to go to…
Meguiar’s! Their Endurance® Tire Gel
It is truly exceptional. From the moment you apply the gel to your tire, you immediately notice the difference this tire shine makes. It leaves your tires looking like new, all while adding much-needed protection from wear and tear caused by UV radiation.
Applying it is a straightforward process, but it takes a bit longer to dry than some of the other tire protectants we have reviewed. However, that extra drying time results in each application lasting for over two weeks, even in the rain, saving you time in the long run!
Plus, it may not come with a foam applicator, but thanks to its low price, you will have plenty of spare cash to go out and buy one!
Enjoy your shiny tires and enjoy your ride.