Tire dressing: what do you use?

rweissen · 03-15-2003, 12:13 AM

I would like to put some tire dressing on my 2003 Z06 to keep the new tire look and to basically maintain the tires, avoid dry rubber white look. I don't like armoral since it looks like oil, and I don't like that wet tire look. What else is there?

Thanks

Rob

LB66383 · 03-15-2003, 06:59 PM

The best I've found is Mequiar's. It looks good and it lasts.

rocco16 · 03-15-2003, 07:06 PM

Here's how I avoid the oily look with Armour-All. Put it on, let it soak about 3-5 minutes (depending on temperature) then buff it off with a dry rag. It will have the soft, dry look of fresh rubber and the protection will last for several weeks.

Larry
code5coupe
:seeya

rweissen · 03-16-2003, 04:06 PM

Thanks guys, I'll give both a try on my other cars and see what they look like.

Rob

BostonJoel · 03-18-2003, 07:26 AM

I've tried them all...and I like Stoner MSLT (More Shine Less Time). Go once around for matte finish, twice around for shiny finish. You can buy in auto stores or direct from Stoner by the case..around $30-$35 delivered.

Luke@tirerack · 03-18-2003, 08:29 AM

currently the only tire dressing that does not have a detrimental effect on the tire itself is Meguiers Endurance and they have 2 different types 1 shiny and 1 matte

GaryZ06 · 03-19-2003, 08:33 AM

Zaino Z-16 :D

[Modified by GaryZ06, 8:34 AM 3/19/2003]

84FromHell · 03-27-2003, 12:36 AM

303 Aerospace Protectant if you want the natural, new rubber look .. no silicones or oils

Reid @ Iforged · 03-27-2003, 03:24 AM

:iagree: :iagree: and it's smells good also :)

Jammer · 03-27-2003, 03:34 PM

I've always liked the Meguiers

joalyons · 03-27-2003, 09:52 PM

Meguiers, its the best

rweissen · 03-27-2003, 10:05 PM

Just ordered some endurance from
http://www.meguiars.com/product_show...cfm?SrcLine=CW

[Modified by rweissen, 10:07 PM 3/27/2003]

MIke350 · 03-28-2003, 12:50 AM

Meguiers gel most of the time, takes a bit longer but last longer too

corvette2day · 04-21-2003, 12:14 PM

I use Son-Of-A-Gun (no kidding). Spray on wipe off. Takes 10 seconds a tire. Leaves a flat black appearance that lasts.

SWCDuke · 04-21-2003, 01:21 PM

I use a 50/50 mix of Armor All and distilled water - spray some on the tire and then work it in with an old natural bristle paint brush, which gives the tire a nice consistent satin finish - not shiny at all.

New tires have a lot of mold release on them and you often can't see it on a new tire, but this is what eventually causes the tire to turn brown. The only way I have found to remove the mold release is to scrub the tire with various brushes using paint thinnner and wipe off the residue. The rags you use must be throughaway because the mold release will never wash out.

Since I typically buy tires by mail order and have them delivered to the house I now scrub down the sidewalls with paint thinner before I take the tire down to my tire shop to be mounted and balanced.

Duke

joevette57 · 04-21-2003, 05:04 PM

Quote:

I've tried them all...and I like Stoner MSLT (More Shine Less Time). Go once around for matte finish, twice around for shiny finish. You can buy in auto stores or direct from Stoner by the case..around $30-$35 delivered.

:iagree:

A guy gave me a can several years ago at Corvettes@Carlisle. He said if I give you a can now, you WILL buy more later..... He was right. This stuff is the best!!!!
:cheers:

[Modified by joevette57, 5:05 PM 4/21/2003]

BostonJoel · 04-22-2003, 07:44 AM

:iagree: :iagree:
Same thing happened to me. You can buy it by the 12 can case direct from Stoner...about $30 to $35 a case delivered UPS. I use it on the Corvette and two daily drivers. A case lasts me two years.

[Modified by Joel Forman, 7:45 AM 4/22/2003]

Bodhi · 04-22-2003, 04:49 PM

Quote:

currently the only tire dressing that does not have a detrimental effect on the tire itself is Meguiers Endurance and they have 2 different types 1 shiny and 1 matte

Do NOT use the High Gloss....I bought some of this 2 weeks ago....BIG MISTAKE....I put it on after I washed the Vette on Saturday...the car sat in my garage for a week before I even drove it......you would think the tire dressing had time to dry :smash:

Well when I got home I had HUNDREDS of tiny black dots all over the side of my car...the tires had flung that crap all down the side! It was not a major problem....only took me about 15 minutes with the detailer spray to clean it up but I was still :mad

I have since read other people's accounts of the same thing happening...so I bought some of the high endurance to try....I hope it doesn't have the same problem.

I will say since my car is white it was very easy to see the little dots....on a darker car you might not have even noticed them.

SNISTER · 04-23-2003, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Do NOT use the High Gloss....I bought some of this 2 weeks ago....BIG MISTAKE....I put it on after I washed the Vette on Saturday...the car sat in my garage for a week before I even drove it......you would think the tire dressing had time to dry :smash:

Well when I got home I had HUNDREDS of tiny black dots all over the side of my car

This has happened to me with several different kinds of tire dressing and usually has to do with putting too much of it on the tire in the first place. The tendency to want to saturate the thing which you use to apply the dressing is subconcious, but usually results in over-application of the stuff. It gets caught in all the little nooks and crannies on the tire sidewall (some worse than others) and doesn't dry (it's not water based, so why would it?), but instead gets flung around when you first drive the car.

I use some stuff called Black Magic from my local Autozone, Kragen, etc. and apply it with a Meguires contoured foam applicator. The foam applicator works MUCH better than any rag and reduces the tendency to over-apply the tire dressing.