Tires...To Shine or not to Shine??????
Okay so I am a all dressed up rig kinda guy. I like my chrome to sparkle and my paint to shine. Along with that I like the wet look on my tires it kinda goes with the territory. I have read on here th...
Forum Discussion
Some more info.
Tire Dressings
"Prior to the application of a tire dressing, you need to make sure the tire is cleaned as per above – the tire protectant or dressing will adhere much better to a clean tire. Keep in mind that tire dressings won’t adhere to or create the right shine on a dirty rubber surface.
As is the case for tire cleaning products found on the market, there are also a plethora of tire dressings. There are generally only two ‘types’ of tire dressings: water-based and solvent based. Water-based dressings are often a milky-white liquid and are typically a combination of naturally occurring oils and synthetic polymers that provide a very nice non-greasy, satin-like finish – very similar to the look of a new tire. Some water-based tire dressings also contain UVR blocking agents to help keep tires from cracking, fading and hardening. As an added bonus, most, if not all, water-based dressings are friendly to the environment. I have had good success with Meguiar’s Hyperdressing, an extremely nice all-around rubber dressing that doesn’t ‘sling’ off tires as you drive – it is water-based, however, and will not last very long. All water-based tire dressings are about the same as far as durability goes…you might get a week depending on the environment you are in. Solvent-based are often a clear, greasy liquid and tend to leave a wet, glossy film on the tire surface. Be careful, some solvent-based dressings contain solvents that, over time, may lead to premature drying and cracking of the tire surface. Solvent-based tire dressings are going to last much longer and look better than water-based dressings…and are going to be more expensive. If you stick with a reputable company then you won’t have any issues with ‘bad’ silicone being used to make the dressing. Perhaps the best solvent-based dressing on the market is Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus. This is a great product that can also be used on the wheels and trim…it is pricey but a little goes a long way. Meguiar’s All Season Dressing is also an excellent dressing for tires, trim and even wheel wells. If you are looking for economical and durable solutions then I would pick Meguiar’s Hyperdressing (water-based) for the engine bay and interior and Meguiar’s All Season Dressing (solvent-based) for exterior rubber, plastic, vinyl. Keep in mind that the difference between water- and solvent-based dressings is simply in the ‘carrier’ system used. Solvent-based products use a hydrocarbon silicone to suspend the product whereas water-based products use water. Some less reputable tire dressings, especially those used at car washes and quick turnaround detailing shops, use a solvent-based silicone dressing that has extreme shine and the tendency to sling off the tire onto the paint (as shown below) – left on the paint, you may get discoloration from this type of dressing.
While application of a tire dressing is quite easy, there are a few points to keep in mind. First, don’t apply too much dressing. Simply apply some dressing to a dedicated tire rag, towel, or foam applicator and wipe the dressing on the tire to provide nice, even coverage. Be careful not to get the dressing on the car or the wheel – particularly when using an aerosol spray. Meguiar’s Hyperdressing typically comes in a gallon size container and can be diluted depending on need. I generally dilute it 1:1 and have had excellent results. Some other detailer’s dilute it 2:1 (2 parts water, 1 part Hyperdressing). Either way, you will need to find what is best for you and what look you are trying to achieve. A gallon of Hyperdressing will last a long time and is very cost effective. Meguiar’s All Season Dressing is sold ‘ready to use’. Third, a few minutes after you apply the dressing, wipe the tire with a clean rag or towel to remove any residue. And fourth, try to keep the tire dressing off of the tire tread. Tire dressing, either water- or solvent-based, will make the tire tread slippery.
While all of the above may sound a bit complicated, the procedure is actually quite simple and will only take a few minutes per tire. In the end you will end up with a well protected tire that looks like it came out of a show room!"
So what I surmise from this is, 303 is probably no better then other water based dressings, but is more expensive. Any good solvent based brand like Meguiar's, Mother's etc., will not harm the tire, costs more than water based, but lasts longer.
Tire Dressings
"Prior to the application of a tire dressing, you need to make sure the tire is cleaned as per above – the tire protectant or dressing will adhere much better to a clean tire. Keep in mind that tire dressings won’t adhere to or create the right shine on a dirty rubber surface.
As is the case for tire cleaning products found on the market, there are also a plethora of tire dressings. There are generally only two ‘types’ of tire dressings: water-based and solvent based. Water-based dressings are often a milky-white liquid and are typically a combination of naturally occurring oils and synthetic polymers that provide a very nice non-greasy, satin-like finish – very similar to the look of a new tire. Some water-based tire dressings also contain UVR blocking agents to help keep tires from cracking, fading and hardening. As an added bonus, most, if not all, water-based dressings are friendly to the environment. I have had good success with Meguiar’s Hyperdressing, an extremely nice all-around rubber dressing that doesn’t ‘sling’ off tires as you drive – it is water-based, however, and will not last very long. All water-based tire dressings are about the same as far as durability goes…you might get a week depending on the environment you are in. Solvent-based are often a clear, greasy liquid and tend to leave a wet, glossy film on the tire surface. Be careful, some solvent-based dressings contain solvents that, over time, may lead to premature drying and cracking of the tire surface. Solvent-based tire dressings are going to last much longer and look better than water-based dressings…and are going to be more expensive. If you stick with a reputable company then you won’t have any issues with ‘bad’ silicone being used to make the dressing. Perhaps the best solvent-based dressing on the market is Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus. This is a great product that can also be used on the wheels and trim…it is pricey but a little goes a long way. Meguiar’s All Season Dressing is also an excellent dressing for tires, trim and even wheel wells. If you are looking for economical and durable solutions then I would pick Meguiar’s Hyperdressing (water-based) for the engine bay and interior and Meguiar’s All Season Dressing (solvent-based) for exterior rubber, plastic, vinyl. Keep in mind that the difference between water- and solvent-based dressings is simply in the ‘carrier’ system used. Solvent-based products use a hydrocarbon silicone to suspend the product whereas water-based products use water. Some less reputable tire dressings, especially those used at car washes and quick turnaround detailing shops, use a solvent-based silicone dressing that has extreme shine and the tendency to sling off the tire onto the paint (as shown below) – left on the paint, you may get discoloration from this type of dressing.
While application of a tire dressing is quite easy, there are a few points to keep in mind. First, don’t apply too much dressing. Simply apply some dressing to a dedicated tire rag, towel, or foam applicator and wipe the dressing on the tire to provide nice, even coverage. Be careful not to get the dressing on the car or the wheel – particularly when using an aerosol spray. Meguiar’s Hyperdressing typically comes in a gallon size container and can be diluted depending on need. I generally dilute it 1:1 and have had excellent results. Some other detailer’s dilute it 2:1 (2 parts water, 1 part Hyperdressing). Either way, you will need to find what is best for you and what look you are trying to achieve. A gallon of Hyperdressing will last a long time and is very cost effective. Meguiar’s All Season Dressing is sold ‘ready to use’. Third, a few minutes after you apply the dressing, wipe the tire with a clean rag or towel to remove any residue. And fourth, try to keep the tire dressing off of the tire tread. Tire dressing, either water- or solvent-based, will make the tire tread slippery.
While all of the above may sound a bit complicated, the procedure is actually quite simple and will only take a few minutes per tire. In the end you will end up with a well protected tire that looks like it came out of a show room!"
So what I surmise from this is, 303 is probably no better then other water based dressings, but is more expensive. Any good solvent based brand like Meguiar's, Mother's etc., will not harm the tire, costs more than water based, but lasts longer.
