The Best Tire Shines In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best Tire Shines 2023:

  1. Car Guys Premium Series Tire Shine
  2. TriNova Tire Shine Spray
  3. Meguiar’s G7516 Tire Gel
  4. Chemical Guys TVD10216 Car Shine
  5. Armor All Car Tire Shine

That’s a spotless shine you’ve got on your car there, bro! We’re sure you’re proud of it.

Are you going to do something about those nasty looking tires, though? 

Tell you what, if you’re already cleaning your car, don’t half-ass it; polish those darn tires too! 

We know what you’re thinking;

Why clean the tires when they’ll get dirty anyway?

That’s not how a real car guy thinks! Are you a real car guy?

If yes, then check out our article and get yourself some tire shine. Not just any tire shine, but the best tire shine on the market!

Don’t look at us like that – read on!

Related: The Best Tire Cleaners


5 Best Tire Shines In 2023: Detailed Reviews

After hours and hours of research (and countless images of polished tires) we were finally able to pinpoint the top tire shines of this year. 

As every brand is different, we tried to include something for everyone’s taste, and we’re sure that you’ll find the one for you!

1. Car Guys Premium Series Tire Shine – Best Overall

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If there’s ever been a consensus between car enthusiasts, it is that Car Guys tire shine is a good product. Don’t believe us? Just look at the thousands of satisfied customers happily commenting online. We’ve looked at the details of this popular shine, and here’s what we found.

This product has a glossy finish, and it’ll give your tires that wet, shiny look that no one can ignore. Car Guys’ shine is not just for your tires – you can apply it on vinyl and plastic surfaces too! This versatility is one of the reasons why so many people like it.

This is a liquid tire shine that comes in a spray bottle. The application is quick and easy, and it dries very quickly too. A microfiber applicator pad is included in the package, and it is quite good, so there’s no need to buy one separately.

The biggest setback of Car Guys’ dressing is that it doesn’t always last as much as it should. The company advertises it as being able to last for weeks, but some users claim that it couldn’t make it more than a couple of days in rainy conditions.

All in all, this tire shine has all that one could want, and chances are that you and your tires will be delighted with it!

Pros

  • Easy application
  • Quick-drying
  • Non-toxic
  • Can be used for other surfaces (vinyl, plastic)

Cons

  • Might last shorter than advertised

2. TriNova Tire Shine Spray – Best No-Wipe Shine

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If you don’t want your tires to be as shiny as Guido’s hair, then TriNova may be just what you need. This tire shine is in the same rank as the previous one on the list, so let’s see what makes it so good.

As you can guess from the title, TriNova’s shine comes in liquid form, and it is sold in 18 oz spray bottles. The product is super simple to apply, and all you have to do after spraying is to spread it with the applicator pad.

Compared to Car Guys, TriNova provides the tire with less shine, which might not be ideal for everyone. You’ll get a saturated, deep black color, but not so much the oiliness that so many people like. As for its protective features, this dressing does a remarkable job of slowing down aging and repelling dirt. 

Another great thing about this product is that it lasts for quite some time – up to two weeks, according to some customers! This is great news because it’ll make one bottle last for months, so you’ll be saving money in the long run.

In case you’re more interested in protection and “blackness” than shine, TriNova is a brand that you ought to consider!

Pros

  • Lasts for up to two weeks
  • No need to wipe off after applying
  • Protection from aging
  • Dirt repellent

Cons

  • Doesn’t have a great shine

3. Meguiar’s G7516 Tire Gel – Best Gel Tire Shine

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Accidentally spraying tire shine on the rims bugs us off! If you feel like that too, then you, friend, need to get yourself a gel. Meguiar’s G7516 happens to be one of the greatest tire shine gels out there, so go on and see what it’s all about.

The gel is placed on the tires using the company’s applicator pad, which is sold separately. You put some gel on the pad, and then start rubbing the tire – simple as that. Such application allows you to be super precise and avoid getting the shine where you don’t want it.

Now, the trouble is that this gel tends to be a bit slingy, meaning that, if you don’t spread it very, very thinly, it will sling down and maybe reach your rims. To prevent this, use just a bit of gel to cover as much tire area as you can. 

The shine that G7516 creates is impeccable, and it’ll make your tires look like they’re soaked in oil. It will protect the rubber from harmful UV rays and prevent fading.

It’s true that this tire shine takes more effort to apply and more time to dry, but the results are well worth it.

Pros

  • Gives a gleaming and oily look
  • Excellent UV protection
  • Lasts for a long time

Cons

  • It slings if not applied properly
  • Takes more effort to apply than spray tire shine

4. Chemical Guys TVD10216 Car Shine – Best Versatile Tire Shine

Image Credit: Amazon.com

A pragmatic-minded individual will appreciate a product like Chemical Guys TVD10216 car shine. Besides polishing your tires, you can use this concoction on anything from bumpers to the car’s interior.

Versatility is the middle name of this product, as it can kill many birds with one stone. Also, it is sold at a price lower than many of its competitors, so it’s definitely a budget option.

TVD10216 is in a gel-like state, but its consistency is more like molasses. From that, we can conclude that this one is not applied by spraying, but instead, you put some of it on a cloth and then spread it where needed.

Its thickness might be a problem if trying to transfer it to a smaller bottle from its original 16 oz container. Now, a thing that will undoubtedly bother some people is the strong, unpleasant smell that this product has. Let’s just say that it isn’t for those with a sensitive nose.

Who is it for? Chemical Guys’ car shine is a great option for folks who are not obsessed with convenience and are willing to sacrifice it for a lower price and versatility.

Pros

  • Very versatile (can be used on various surfaces)
  • Doesn’t feel greasy to the touch
  • Spreads very easily

Cons

  • Thick as molasses
  • Unpleasant smell

5. Armor All Car Tire Shine – Best Cheap Tire Shine

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Last but not least, we’ve got another cool tire shine from a somewhat less known manufacturer, Armor All. These guys make some of the cheapest dressings out there, but they can easily compete with the big dogs.

The first thing that you need to know about Armor All’s shine is that it won’t give your tires a glazed/oily appearance. It will, instead, make the tire look new again, without too much gloss.

This product comes in gel form, which means a more precise application. However, like most gels, this one too slings, so make sure not to put too much of it unless you want it to slide down to your rims.

Another peculiar thing about this shine is that it feels wet to the touch, even hours after you’ve rubbed it in the tire. There have been complaints that the shine tends to collect dust and dirt, but not everybody shares this experience. Our advice is not to drive the car until the dressing dries completely.

It’s not the easiest shine to apply, but it does offer good protection from grime and UV rays, and it’ll last quite a bit. Honestly, you won’t find a better product for the money!

Pros

  • Affordable
  • The coating is durable
  • Good for those who want a mild shine

Cons

  • Dries very slowly
  • Difficult to apply

What Is Tire Shine?

Tire shine, also known as tire dressing, is a product that revitalizes the look of faded rubber. In other words, this compound will make old and worn tires look new again by giving them a deep black color. Aside from this, certain tire shines are used to provide the rubber with a glossy effect.

When applied, the dressing also protects the tires from fading (duh!), cracking, blooming, and drying. Not only will it make your tires look brand new again, but it’ll help them last longer! 

What’s not to like!?

See Also: The Best Summer Tires


What To Know Before Buying Tire Shine?

A common misconception that people have about tire shine is that all of the products essentially do the same thing. This, however, is not entirely correct, as there are different types of tire dressings, with different capabilities.

This is why it is essential for you to learn about this product first, and then decide which one would suit your needs the most.

In the following section, you can read about the most important features of tire shine and what to consider before making the purchase.

Let’s get into it.

1. Glossy Or Matte Finish

Tire shines can be divided into two categories based on the type of finish: glossy and matte. 

Choosing between these two options is, perhaps, the most significant consideration that you’ll need to make today.

Would you like your tires to get a subtle shine, or do you just want that deep black color of a new tire?

In case you prefer the former, then let us unpack it a bit further. The glossy variety will give your tires an oily, shiny appearance that’ll be very noticeable in sunlight. After you apply it, you’ll need to leave the glossy dressing for an hour (or so) before washing it off to get the full effect.

If you’re after that new tire look, then you’ll be happier with the matte finish. It’ll make the rubber look natural, and it won’t make the tires stand out, like its glossy counterpart.

Besides aesthetic differences, both shiny and matte dressings usually have the same protective features.

2. Gel Or Liquid

The shines are sold in either gel or liquid form, and which one you choose will have an impact on two factors – time and control over application. 

When we say control, we are referring to your ability to apply the dressing on the desired area without it leaking to spots where you don’t need it. For example, if some of the shine gets to the rim, it’ll leave a nasty-looking smear mark, and you don’t want that.

OK, let’s start with the liquid tire shines. This type is applied much faster than gel, and their thinness lets them get into all the pores very quickly. The application of liquid shine takes mere minutes, but you won’t have much precision and control over where it goes when you spray it.

Gel tire shine, on the other hand, takes much more time to apply as you have to smear it over the tire’s surface yourself. On top of this, gel requires more time to get absorbed by the rubber, which further extends the entire process. The advantage of gels is that you can apply them exactly where you want with absolute control.

3. UV Protection

UV rays are the main culprit behind your tires fading, so it is vital to get proper protection from them. Most tire shines are advertised as UV protective, but, as you can imagine, not all of them do a good job at it. 

In this regard, we can compare tire dressings to sunscreens. There are varying degrees of protection, and you should choose the one that suits the climate you live in. Folks in sunny regions should definitely look for a brand that offers maximum protection from the rays.

4. Longevity

When it comes to longevity, tire shines vary significantly. Some are able to last from two to three weeks, while some can’t go for longer than five days.

Weather is another factor that determines how long the effects of the dressing will linger. Of course, some tire shine companies will try to tell you that the weather doesn’t have an impact on longevity, but this isn’t true. Driving in wet conditions will probably shorten the shine’s lifespan, so we’d just like you to be aware of that.

5. Applicator Pad

It’s important that you rub the tire shine in with a quality microfiber pad. Some companies include such a pad along with the dressing, so it would be a good idea to purchase those brands. 

However, don’t let this be the only reason for choosing a given brand, as it also needs to have excellent characteristics too. 

Read More: The Best Wheel Cleaners


Conclusion

OK, folks, that’s all that we have in store for you today. We hope our article was helpful, and that you’ve found a suitable tire shine for your needs. Before we go, we’d like to show you our top three picks.

Our favorite tire shine for today is Car Guys! This product offers excellent protection and aesthetics, and it comes with its own microfiber applicator.

Right behind it is the TriNova shine, which has many similarities with the previous product, except that it doesn’t give quite the same shine. However, if shine is not your concern, then feel free to give it a shot.

Meguiar’s tire gel is a good option for folks looking for long-lasting protection, and who like precise application on their tires. Hey, you can’t go wrong with a gel!

Remember folks, your car only looks as good as its tires! See you on the road!

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.