Ugly brown tire sidewalls can really spoil your car’s appearance, so here is our pick of the best tire dressing to get them looking fresh.
Tire sidewalls are often forgotten about when it comes to car detailing. But it’s worth getting them looking nice as it really adds the finishing touch. A tire dressing will leave your sidewalls looking lovely and black, and it enhances the look of your car. And if you’re not a fan of glossy tires, most products allow you to get a matt finish if you prefer. We’ve picked eight of the best tire dressings out there, and there’s something for everyone.
What is tire dressing or tire shine?
Tire dressing, or tire shine, is a product detailers use in order to ensure the tires are looking as new and fresh as possible. It’s all well and good having your car’s body sparkling, and your wheels brake dust-free, but having old looking, scuffed tire sidewalls lets the side down. It’s job doesn’t stop there, though, as tire dressings contain elements of wax in them, and as a result, work to protect the rubber from bad weather as well as hiding tiny scratches.
If you’re someone who’s keen to show off their pride and joy at car events, then tire shine is a product that’s often forgot about. And yes, we do notice. Scuffed, worn looking tires detract from the rest of the car. So spend 5 minutes at the end of your detail and apply some tire dressing. It’ll not only make a difference, but might help you win an award!
Best Tire Dressing In 2024
Meguiar’s Endurance Tire Gel
Size: 473ml
RRP: $12.99 / £10.40. Buy Meguiar’s Endurance Tire Gel here.
A tire dressing that pretty much everyone who’s into detailing is familiar with. It delivers the perfect level of gloss, and it lasts a long time, too, resisting washing and rain. Application is a little messy, as is often the case with gel products. Make sure you use gloves, as it’s almost impossible to wash off your hands. And use a dedicated applicator to make the job easier and neater. It needs a little time to dry, but the results are worth it. It’s an excellent go-to dressing for many of us, and with good reason.
Auto Finesse Gloss
Size: 250ml, 500ml
RRP: $23.95 / £15.95. Buy Auto Finesse Gloss Tire Dressing here.
While Auto Finesse also offers Matt tire dressing, Gloss is our choice. The shine you get is stunning, and your tires will look the best they ever have done. We also like that you can use two application methods. You can either simply spray it on and leave it to do its thing if you’re in a rush. Or, you can spray it onto an applicator and wipe it onto the sidewall for a neater finish. This is an excellent dressing that’s perfect if you love glossy tires.
Gtechniq T1 Durable Tire Gel
Size: 250ml, 500ml 1 liter
RRP: $19.95 / £18.50. Buy Gtechniq T1 here.
It’s not cheap, but Gtechniq products always perform well, and this is no exception. As its name implies, T1 has been designed to be durable, and it really performs well. It goes on easily with an applicator, initially delivering a satin finish. For more gloss, you can add a second coating after 10 minutes. We like products that allow you to choose your finish, so that’s a bonus. The non-sling formula means that once it’s been applied, it’s sticking to your tires, not flying off onto your bodywork. It’s not cheap, but it’s a very strong performer.
Dodo Juice Dark Matter
Size: 500ml
RRP: $7.50 / £6.00. Buy Dodo Juice Dark Matter here.
Dodo Juice’s offering is an excellent multi-purpose dressing. Value for money counts for a lot, and having one product with multiple uses is always a bonus. Dark Matter can happily be applied to any black surface, whether it’s rubber, plastic or even metal. You can buff it to a dry finish, which means no sling and no streaking/ And unlike silicone dressings, it won’t attract dust. It’s not the longest-lasting dressing, but its ease of application and versatility make up for that. Dark Matter is an excellent all-round product.
Autoglym Instant Tire Dressing
Size: 500ml
RRP: £11.50. Not available in the US. Buy Autoglym Tyre Dressing here.
Not Autoglym’s longest-lasting dressing (that’s High Performance Tire Gel), but its easiest to use, which is why we love it. Spray dressings are always super-convenient, but Instant Tire Dressing goes one better. Where most products require your tires to be dry before application, this one doesn’t. That means you don’t have to wait around for your rubber to dry after washing your car or spend time drying it off. Just spray on, wipe off any overspray, and that’s it. If you’re not a fan of shiny tires, you can wipe off the excess for a matte finish. A great dressing that’s super easy to use and gives great results.
CarPlan Tire Slik
Tire Slik is a great product that is quick and easy to use. Simply spray it on, and that’s it, you’re done. The spray can makes application relatively accurate, though there is always some overspray. The super-flow valve allows you to spray upside down, which makes application easier still. The resulting gloss is nice and not overwhelming, while durability is good. Unfortunately, a recent price increase means it’s no longer the bargain it once was. Still a good choice of dressing, especially considering how quick and easy it is to apply.
Size: 500ml
Price: £8.99. Not available in the US. Buy CarPlan Tire Slik here.
Simoniz Back to Black Tire & Trim
Size: 500ml
Price: £5.39 at EuroCarParts. Buy Simoniz Back to Black Tire & Trim here. This exact product is not available in the US, however you can browse Simoniz’s American range here.
Another two-in-one product, this offering from Simoniz is really rather good. The spray can means super quick and easy application, so that’s a good start. It instantly adds a lovely gloss finish, but you can layer it for an even deeper gloss. It last really well, too, and considering how reasonably priced it is, that’s another bonus. And on top of all that, you can use it to restore the black trim on your car too. A versatile tire and trim dressing that’s great value for money.
King Of Sheen Eco Tire Shine
Size: 500ml
RRP: £24.99. Not available in the US. Buy King of Sheen Eco Tire Shine here.
You might not have heard of King of Sheen, but its tire dressing is well worth a look. This water-based spray smells nice and performs even better. It leaves you with a high-gloss, non-greasy finish that looks fantastic. Durability isn’t up there with the best, but it’s still decent. It’s well-priced, though, and comes with an applicator, which is a nice touch and makes it easier to use. A good value offering that delivers instant impressive results.
How were the best tire dressing products chosen?
I’m a self-proclaimed detailing nut. There’s not much more that I love than the look of a spotless car. And as a result, over the last 10-15 years, I’ve spent a great many number of days making sure my stable of cars look as spotless as they can. Over that time, I’ve been lucky enough to test and use products from just about every detailing manufacturer out there. While the above products haven’t been individually put through my rigorous detailing tests, they are all good in their own right. None of them will leave you feeling short changed.
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