If you're going to put in the effort to wash your car, putting some tire shine onto your tires is the perfect way to finish off a proper car wash. The best tire shines do more than make your tires pop. They also help protect your tires, which tend to go unloved on many cars. It may seem like a tedious thing to do, especially after you’ve spent a long time washing your car with one of the best car soaps and waxing it, but the extra step can go a long way.
After years of abuse from road debris, UV rays, and regular use, your tires can fade to an ugly shade of white or start to crack on the edges. Tires take a lot of abuse, and using a high-end tire shine can add another layer to protect them from future harm while making them looking showroom fresh, regardless of whether you're rockin' serious off-roading tires, high-performance ones, or even stock rubber.
If adding a tire shine to your tires isn’t part of your regular car cleaning routine, it should be. These are our top choices for the best tire shines currently available in 2023. From gels that will last a long time to sprays that are easy to use, there’s an option for everyone on this list.
Meguiar's Endurance Tire Gel
While new detailing companies continue to come out, Meguiar’s is still hanging around, making some of the best cleaning products for your car. Unlike the majority of tire shines on this list, Meguiar’s Endurance Tire Gel is — wait for it ... — a gel. One of the better properties of a gel and this tire shine is that it lasts a really long time. Other tire shines may only last a few days, but a formula like this will last significantly longer, assuming the weather cooperates and you’re not driving through muck on your morning commute.
The gel takes a little more effort to apply, but you can put on the exact amount that you want without worrying about overspray getting onto a fender or on your wheels. Making sure your tires are clean is a crucial step when using this tire shine gel, and you’ll want to wipe off any excess left behind, as it can sling off. Meguiar’s also recommends letting the tire shine cure for 10 to 20 minutes before driving.
Pro tip: Avoid getting this product on plastic or paint. That’s very important, as it can stain components that aren’t made of rubber.
Chemical Guys VRP Dressing
Chemical Guys has quite a few products for your tires. One of our favorites is VRP Dressing — a tire shine that falls in the middle of a gel and a spray with a rich, creamy consistency, which means it’s still easy to apply and doesn’t require any time to dry. VRP Dressing is a water-based product that makes it safe to be used on vinyl and plastic.
If you’re on the fence about shelling over a lot of money for a product that can only be used on your tires, VRP is one of the better options on the market thanks to its numerous uses — and of course because of its stellar results.
Black Magic Tire Wet
This has been my best tire shine of choice for years because it’s one of the cheapest products around, delivers great results, and takes little effort to apply. Black Magic Wet Tire gives your tires a high-gloss shine that almost makes them look mirrored. For an extra-glossy look, you can apply the tire shine and let it dry naturally or wipe off the excess for a more subtle shine. Black Magic claims Tire Wet lasts up to four weeks, but that’s optimistic, especially if it rains.
The issue with Black Magic Tire Wet is that the trigger spray is challenging to use. When that happens, you can get overspray on places where the product can damage the car's paint or stain trim pieces. You'll also want to keep an eye out on how much you apply because it can sling off when applied too liberally and not left to dry properly.
Car Guys Tire Shine
At roughly $17 for an 18-ounce bottle, Car Guys Tire Shine isn’t cheap, but the kit does include a microfiber applicator, which is nice to have. The company claims its Tire Shine spray has a patented polymer additive that helps extend the longevity of the shine and enhance it, too.
Additionally, using this product on your tires adds a UV protective layer onto the rubber to fend off the sun’s harmful rays. Like many other Car Guys products, Tire Shine can be used on tires, vinyl trim, or plastic pieces to bring them back to quality.
For car owners who live in areas that get a lot of rain or like to keep their car clean beyond summer, this product isn’t water-resistant. Even a small amount of rain will wash this product away. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind applying this product weekly, that shouldn’t too big of a drawback for the results you get.
TriNova Tire Shine
TriNova may not be a household name, but the company creates high-quality cleaning products for your car. Its simply named Tire Shine doesn’t have any fancy names or gimmicks, but works just as well as anything else on the market. It creates a high-gloss shine that you can clean off after applying to result in a medium shine. While TriNova recommends that you clean your tires before applying, this product can remove some dirt and grime so you don’t have to take the extra step if things aren’t too bad.
Like with other sprays, TriNova’s Tire Shine can be a little difficult to apply. The company recommends spraying the product directly onto your car’s tires from 6 to 8 inches away, but you’ll want to make sure the product doesn’t get onto your paint or rims. If it does, you’ll want to wipe it off immediately and, depending on saturation, rinse it off with soap and water, as it can damage non-rubber items.
Adam’s Tire Shine
If getting a product that smells good matters to you, you’ll want to check out Adam’s Tire Shine. The tire shine is meant to smell like banana taffy. While it’s easy to laugh at the idea of a nice-smelling product, it beats using alternatives that burn the inside of your nostrils or require you to use a mask.
Beyond smelling great, Adam’s Tire Shine will help revive your tires thanks to its silica-infused formulation that lasts a long time and the SiO2 solution that brings a glossy sheen. Adam’s uses a low-sling formula, so you won’t have to worry about leaving it on overnight to dry, and it can also be used on plastic. If you plan on regularly cleaning your tires, Adam’s also sells its Tire Shine in 1-gallon and 5-gallon options.
Chemical Guys Tire Kicker Extra Glossy Tire Shine
This is the second Chemical Guys product on this list for your tires, but Tire Kicker Extra Glossy Tire Shine is different from VRP because it’s a spray. Just like VRP, though, this best tire shine is safe on rubber, plastic, and vinyl, so feel free to use it under the engine bay and even in your interior. This tire shine will enhance the way your tires look and protect them from sun-fading, thanks to gloss enhancers and UV blockers.
As with other glossy tire shines, this won’t last too long if you drive in inclement weather. Being a spray product, applying it on your tires can be messy, which is why Chemical Guys recommends putting it onto an applicator and then applying it to your tires.
ExoForma PermaShine Tire Coating & Dressing
If you like your tires with a seriously shiny, "showroom" gloss finish, ExoForma's PermaShine Tire Coating & Dressing is your man. This product goes on thick and dries within an hour to prevent unwanted sling. It's also durable enough to last for months, rather than mere weeks — especially nice if you live anywhere prone to inclement weather.
It might seem pricey at around $25, but just one 8-ounce bottle shines and protects up to 30 tires. Plus, it's available by the gallon, if you're really serious about keeping a budget-friendly shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longevity of tire shine depends on several factors, including the type of product you use, how you apply it, and the driving conditions you encounter.
Silicone-based tire shines are the most common type and typically last two to four weeks with proper care. With acrylic-based tire shines, you get a longer-lasting shine that can last six to eight weeks, but these can be more difficult to apply and may not be as effective on all tire types. Tire coatings are the most durable option, offering shine and protection for six months or more. However, they are also the most expensive and require careful application.
Here are some tips for making your tire shine last longer:
- Apply tire shine to clean, dry tires.
- Use a foam applicator or microfiber cloth to apply the product evenly.
- Avoid overapplying tire shine, as this can make it streak or fling off.
- Let the tire shine dry completely before driving your vehicle.
- Park your car in the shade whenever possible.
- Avoid washing your car for at least 24 hours after applying tire shine.
Follow these tips and you can help your tire shine last longer and keep your tires looking their best.
Whether you're driving a high-performance supercar or a first-gen Prius, your ride deserves proper, regular bathing. Finishing off with one of these tire shines is a great way to complete the car-washing process. Before applying tire shine to your tires, it's best to wash your car. You'll always want to spend some time scrubbing your tires and wheels to get the most out of tire shine.
After you've washed your car, the next step is to wax your car. While it's a tedious process, waxing your car adds an additional layer of protection to your car's paint to protect it from the elements, debris, and contaminants. We also have a list of the best car waxes you can apply to your car.
