Eagle One Tire Swipes

[eddie926]

I know Pb, OCDetails, and others have recommended the EO Swipes, but I wanted to add my endorsement. If you've tried tire gel and didn't like it, but haven't used these, I recommend giving them a try.

I had bought some Megs High Endurance Tire Gel a few weeks ago, but didn't have any of the swipes. I tried some other methods of application and although I liked the end results with the gel, it was a total PITA to apply with the methods I tried. I was pretty much ready to pitch the gel and go back to spray products.

I picked up a 2 pack of the swipes today (in desperation) and tried them for the first time. THEY WORKED GREAT!!! The gel went on fast and easy, in a nice even coat. The swipes are firm enough to work the gel down into the lettering, etc., and dense enough that they dont seem to absorb an inordinate amount of product. They "saved the day".

[OCDetails]

I would also recommend checking out your local dollar stores. One near my house sells a similar looking thing in a three pack for a buck. I can get a dozen of them for nearly the cost of two of the Eagle One version. They don't last as long as the Eagle One brand, but I don't worry so much when they fall apart. They also have very nifty applicator tools with handles and replacable foam inserts that you can buy. I believe Griots has one and I think I saw one at Autogeek as well. AutoZone sells one, but I'm not impressed with the quality. It only survives about 30 tires before it is toast. For someone detailing one car it isn't a problem, but if you do more than that on a regular basis then it isn't a good choice.

[Rapid Roy]

I picked up somthing like that from pep boys to apply 303 protectant and it worked wonders too. I couldn't get the 303 to apply evenly with a MF cloth. I even started applying the 303 to the dash with a foam waxing pad and its much easier to apply. I just let it sit and buff with a MF cloth.

[eddie926]

Another method I tried...

I saw some of the "micro-hair" applicators online like this one...

http://www.topoftheline.com/tire-dre...pplicator.html

In pix I saw of them, the pads look very much like the paint pads that you can buy in the paint dept. at Home Depot, etc., except they're curved to fit your tire. So, I tried one of the Shure Line pads from HD. It worked noticeably better than trying to apply with a rag, but not nearly as well as the swipes IMO. The worst part though was that by the time I got to the 4th tire, I noticed it was shedding its white microhair all over my tire surface stuck to the gel. AAAHHHHGGGG!!!

So, if you've ever thought about trying one of those paint pads and just haven't gotten around to it yet, BEWARE

NOTE: I've never used one of the car specialty pads like the link above, so I'm not trying to dis thoses. They may be completely different from the paint pads and may only resemble them in pictures. They may work well. Don't know. Just beware the cheap paint pads.