The Guz
Active member
There are a lot of options on the market in regards to a good water based tire dressing. Stay away from those silicone based tire dressings as they will hurt the tire more than anything. These are a few of my favorites.
Pinnacle Black Onyx -
This is a water based tire dressing. It has a nice scent to it which makes it enjoyable when using it. It is pink in color but goes on clear and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish and 2 coats will give more gloss. I was able to see 4 weeks out of it before it needed to be reapplied. A little product goes a long way. It dries to the touch after a few minutes. It did not sling for me but I don't lather on the product.
In low light the tires look black
Here is how it looks as the sun was setting.
Blackfire Total Eclipse -
This is another water based tire dressing. It is a thinner consistency compared to Pinnacle Black Onyx. It to is a pinkish color. It also goes on clear on the tire and dries clear on the tire. It has a scent to it. Unlike Pinnacle, Blackfire has less gloss. It does give the tire a nice sheen while it looks black. I see 2-3 weeks with this one.
Here's a close up of the tire with nothing on it.
Here's the close up with 1 coat of blackfire tire shine.
Here's another tire fully coated in Blackfire tire shine.
This is from 2 days after initial application with the sun shining on it prior to sunset leaving the office.
Meguiar's D163 Tire & Trim Gel -
This is another water based tire dressing. This one is a white gel that is thick. It goes on clear and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish while 2 coats will add more gloss. I get 2-3 weeks with it. This can also be used on trim. But don't expect it to last that long on trim. I tested it on trim and I would see 1-2 weeks of durability before I needed to reapply. This comes in a larger 32 oz bottle, which is more cost effective than some of the others.
1 coat
2 coats in full sun
Detailer's Pro Gloss Tire Gel -
Another water based tire gel. I don't have photos of this one. The next time I use it, I will update this thread with photos. But the look of this one is between Blackfire and Pinnacle. I saw 2-3 weeks on this one. It's a good tire gel and a good price for the 32 oz bottle.
Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel -
This one is also water based. This one to me is almost exactly the same as Blackfire. Gives the same look. I have this on my Camaro but I can't comment on durability as I don't drive it as often as my Grand Prix. I would expect it to be in the typical 2-3 week category.
Adams Super VRT -
This one is a while thick gel consistency. It is water based. I could say that this and Meguiar's D163 are identical to each other. Adams is a nice product and will give that satin look to tires. Durability is like 2-3 weeks. It can be used on trim as well but I found it to be just meh on trim like Meguiar's D163. I no longer own this product so I can not post photos of it.
Adams Tire Shine -
This is their dedicated tire shine. It worked ok. It's glossy if sprayed directly onto the tire. Of course this will lead to some overspray applying it this way. If applied by foam applicator it will be more matte. I don't own this product anymore either.
Meguiar's All Season Dressing
I obtained a sample from another member on the Meguiar's forum. Decided to try it out. This one can be sprayed onto the tire or applicator. If sprayed onto the tire have a microfiber handy as overspray will need to be removed. Once sprayed onto the tire use an applicator to spread out the product to give an even look. I used a microfiber applicator as it tones down the shine a little as it is spread out. Let it dry for a few min. Another coat can be applied for more gloss. Depending on the number of coats applied, I recommend a light buff after about 20-30 mins to avoid any sling.
I can't comment on durability just yet.
Onto tire coatings. The benefit of tire coatings is that they are intended to last longer than a tire gel. They are made to be more durable. With a tire coating, the surface of the tire must be cleaned and prepped just right. So it takes a little more work.
Meguiar's Ultimate Black Tire Coating -
This is an aerosol product so expect overspray. That's just the nature of a spray on product. With this one I recommend short bursts like painting with a rattle can. This will ensure even coverage and not create runs. I recommend to have a microfiber handy to remove any overspray from wheels as the product will dry to the touch fairly quickly. This will give a black look with a hint of sheen. It will not add more gloss by applying multiple coats. 1 coat is all that is needed. This lasts about 4-6 weeks.
In full sun
Almost looks like there is nothing on the tire.
Detailer's Pro Tire Coating -
This one lasts longer than Meguiar's but it also costs more. With this one, the dedicate tire cleaner from the same brand is recommended to be used to get the tier very clean. This coating lasts about 3 months. It's a thin watery milky white liquid. It goes on blue when applied onto the tire and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish and 2 coats will add more gloss. A little goes a long way.
50/50 with 1 coat.
I ended up putting 2 coats just to be sure I had even coverage with the foam applicator. In full sun this is what the tire looks like
In the shade the tire appears dark
Turtle Wax Jet Black Black Endura Shine Tire Coating -
This is available over the counter and Turtle Wax has a winner with this product. I have seen it last between 2-3 months before it needs to be reapplied. It's about $12-13 and it comes in a kit with gloves, applicator, coating and tire cleaner. I highly recommend using gloves with this one. It's a black acrylic watery liquid. A little goes a long way. This one has a purplish color when first applied onto the tire but dries black. I recommend either doing the tire in halves or quarters and to swipe in one direction. Going over the tire truing to spread it can cause streaking as this product dries quickly. It looks great when applied.
2 coats
Another with 2 coats
What needs to be mentioned is to be sure to clean the tires with some sort of tire cleaner. It will help the tire dressing bond to the tire and last longer than applying it over a dirty tire. I also recommend to use a brush to agitate the cleaner to give the tire a deep cleaning instead of spraying and rinsing off. That will not do much.
This is the best tire brush I have used. It's ergonomic and feels good in hand when using it.
http://www.autogeek.net/tuf-shine-tire-brush.html
My top applicator is the carrand brush. This brush can get dressing into those nook and crannies.
http://www.autogeek.net/carrand-tire-dressing-brush.html
My second favorite applicator are these. They do no soak up product so you will not waste a lot of product unlike a regular foam applicator that can load up with too much product.
http://www.autogeek.net/tire-applicator.html
Pinnacle Black Onyx -
This is a water based tire dressing. It has a nice scent to it which makes it enjoyable when using it. It is pink in color but goes on clear and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish and 2 coats will give more gloss. I was able to see 4 weeks out of it before it needed to be reapplied. A little product goes a long way. It dries to the touch after a few minutes. It did not sling for me but I don't lather on the product.
In low light the tires look black
Here is how it looks as the sun was setting.
Blackfire Total Eclipse -
This is another water based tire dressing. It is a thinner consistency compared to Pinnacle Black Onyx. It to is a pinkish color. It also goes on clear on the tire and dries clear on the tire. It has a scent to it. Unlike Pinnacle, Blackfire has less gloss. It does give the tire a nice sheen while it looks black. I see 2-3 weeks with this one.
Here's a close up of the tire with nothing on it.
Here's the close up with 1 coat of blackfire tire shine.
Here's another tire fully coated in Blackfire tire shine.
This is from 2 days after initial application with the sun shining on it prior to sunset leaving the office.
Meguiar's D163 Tire & Trim Gel -
This is another water based tire dressing. This one is a white gel that is thick. It goes on clear and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish while 2 coats will add more gloss. I get 2-3 weeks with it. This can also be used on trim. But don't expect it to last that long on trim. I tested it on trim and I would see 1-2 weeks of durability before I needed to reapply. This comes in a larger 32 oz bottle, which is more cost effective than some of the others.
1 coat
2 coats in full sun
Detailer's Pro Gloss Tire Gel -
Another water based tire gel. I don't have photos of this one. The next time I use it, I will update this thread with photos. But the look of this one is between Blackfire and Pinnacle. I saw 2-3 weeks on this one. It's a good tire gel and a good price for the 32 oz bottle.
Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel -
This one is also water based. This one to me is almost exactly the same as Blackfire. Gives the same look. I have this on my Camaro but I can't comment on durability as I don't drive it as often as my Grand Prix. I would expect it to be in the typical 2-3 week category.
Adams Super VRT -
This one is a while thick gel consistency. It is water based. I could say that this and Meguiar's D163 are identical to each other. Adams is a nice product and will give that satin look to tires. Durability is like 2-3 weeks. It can be used on trim as well but I found it to be just meh on trim like Meguiar's D163. I no longer own this product so I can not post photos of it.
Adams Tire Shine -
This is their dedicated tire shine. It worked ok. It's glossy if sprayed directly onto the tire. Of course this will lead to some overspray applying it this way. If applied by foam applicator it will be more matte. I don't own this product anymore either.
Meguiar's All Season Dressing
I obtained a sample from another member on the Meguiar's forum. Decided to try it out. This one can be sprayed onto the tire or applicator. If sprayed onto the tire have a microfiber handy as overspray will need to be removed. Once sprayed onto the tire use an applicator to spread out the product to give an even look. I used a microfiber applicator as it tones down the shine a little as it is spread out. Let it dry for a few min. Another coat can be applied for more gloss. Depending on the number of coats applied, I recommend a light buff after about 20-30 mins to avoid any sling.
I can't comment on durability just yet.
Onto tire coatings. The benefit of tire coatings is that they are intended to last longer than a tire gel. They are made to be more durable. With a tire coating, the surface of the tire must be cleaned and prepped just right. So it takes a little more work.
Meguiar's Ultimate Black Tire Coating -
This is an aerosol product so expect overspray. That's just the nature of a spray on product. With this one I recommend short bursts like painting with a rattle can. This will ensure even coverage and not create runs. I recommend to have a microfiber handy to remove any overspray from wheels as the product will dry to the touch fairly quickly. This will give a black look with a hint of sheen. It will not add more gloss by applying multiple coats. 1 coat is all that is needed. This lasts about 4-6 weeks.
In full sun
Almost looks like there is nothing on the tire.
Detailer's Pro Tire Coating -
This one lasts longer than Meguiar's but it also costs more. With this one, the dedicate tire cleaner from the same brand is recommended to be used to get the tier very clean. This coating lasts about 3 months. It's a thin watery milky white liquid. It goes on blue when applied onto the tire and dries clear. 1 coat will give a matte finish and 2 coats will add more gloss. A little goes a long way.
50/50 with 1 coat.
I ended up putting 2 coats just to be sure I had even coverage with the foam applicator. In full sun this is what the tire looks like
In the shade the tire appears dark
Turtle Wax Jet Black Black Endura Shine Tire Coating -
This is available over the counter and Turtle Wax has a winner with this product. I have seen it last between 2-3 months before it needs to be reapplied. It's about $12-13 and it comes in a kit with gloves, applicator, coating and tire cleaner. I highly recommend using gloves with this one. It's a black acrylic watery liquid. A little goes a long way. This one has a purplish color when first applied onto the tire but dries black. I recommend either doing the tire in halves or quarters and to swipe in one direction. Going over the tire truing to spread it can cause streaking as this product dries quickly. It looks great when applied.
2 coats
Another with 2 coats
What needs to be mentioned is to be sure to clean the tires with some sort of tire cleaner. It will help the tire dressing bond to the tire and last longer than applying it over a dirty tire. I also recommend to use a brush to agitate the cleaner to give the tire a deep cleaning instead of spraying and rinsing off. That will not do much.
This is the best tire brush I have used. It's ergonomic and feels good in hand when using it.
http://www.autogeek.net/tuf-shine-tire-brush.html
My top applicator is the carrand brush. This brush can get dressing into those nook and crannies.
http://www.autogeek.net/carrand-tire-dressing-brush.html
My second favorite applicator are these. They do no soak up product so you will not waste a lot of product unlike a regular foam applicator that can load up with too much product.
http://www.autogeek.net/tire-applicator.html
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