Tire Cleaners/dressings. Spray can or Gel?

[james1300]

What do the PRO's use?
The spray cans I've used in the past are just OK. Hard to control the over spray.
The Gels, even after leaving them on over nite fling off.
The results on a hot day, are NOT pretty.

So what should I be using?
Example: Ultra low profile tires on BLACK 22" wheels.
What do I use for dressing? Product?
What do I use to apply it with?
How do I handle over spray?
How do the PRO's dress tires?

[Murr1525]

Re: Tire Cleaners/dressings. Spray can or Gel?

I like APC as a tire/wheelwell cleaner.

I tend to like trigger spray tire shine products, but I spray down a foam applicator, maybe a spray or two on the tire, and wipe around. Let sit for a bit, dab off with an old terry cloth.

[rst08tierney]

Re: Tire Cleaners/dressings. Spray can or Gel?

Not a fan of Gels or spray cans. I hate tire sling on my paint and I also hate over spray from a spray can.

My secret to wet black tires is simple. This is what you will need

1.) Disposable Rubber Glove (where you dont get black under your nails)

2.) Terry Cloth Covered Foam Applicator (same you would wax with)

3.) Ultimate Protectant

All I simply do is spry my applicator 5 times per wheel and cover my tire in an even application ensuring there are ZERO runs. If your tires have lettering, take your time and buff around the letters so there will be no tire sling.

Results should look like this

[dc2_]

Re: Tire Cleaners/dressings. Spray can or Gel?

interesting... lol i stopped using gel since it slinged and now i use one of meguiars spray...im careful with over spray..i just wipe off any anyways

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Tire Cleaners/dressings. Spray can or Gel?

What do the PRO's use?

You'll likely find as many different products/processes as you will responses, but one thing will be common - don't over use ANY tire dressing.

Not a fan of Gels or spray cans. I hate tire sling on my paint and I also hate over spray from a spray can.

My secret to wet black tires is simple. This is what you will need

1.) Disposable Rubber Glove (where you dont get black under your nails)

2.) Terry Cloth Covered Foam Applicator (same you would wax with)

3.) Ultimate Protectant

All I simply do is spry my applicator 5 times per wheel and cover my tire in an even application ensuring there are ZERO runs. If your tires have lettering, take your time and buff around the letters so there will be no tire sling.

Results should look like this

Great advice, though following the same process with either a gel or spray should yield identical results. Regarding sprays, whether trigger or aerosol, it's usually best to spray onto an applicator and then wipe onto the tire rather than spraying directly onto the sidewall to avoid overspray, especially when dealing with very low profile tires.

No matter which dressing you use, however, go easy with it. Some dressings like M40 or Ultimate Protectant and other water based products will dry fully dry to the touch and almost never sling (load even these on heavy and drive off right away and they'll sling), but they may not be as glossy as some solvent based dressings. Still, with a solvent based or gel formula, it's a good idea to come back several minutes after application and wipe the sidewall with an old, but clean, terry towel.