your opinions.... on tire/wheel cleaning dressing - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rebel8ball · 07-21-2008, 01:48 AM

So...at the risk of starting something like ive seen when the opinions on oil, tire brands, filters, gas, and even waxes has started before i have to ask

-What do yall like to use for tire dressing? for cleaners? for keeping those rims (yes even you guys with steelies and hubies) looking nice?

my personal choices that i just started using is black magic express foaming wheel and tire cleaner, aerosol can, foams up and rinses alot cleaner then many i have used. for the tire dressing i tried the black magic titanium matte finish, made my 6 month old tires have that deep soft black of a brand new tire

anyways discuss, yell holler, and etc.... i wanna here what yall think?

cykaaro · 07-21-2008, 01:59 AM

Well, haven't really 'dressed' wheels before per say, but to get them as clean as possible, nothing can beat a nice high pressured power washer!

***prnc_chrmng*** · 07-21-2008, 02:26 AM

i use eagle 1 all wheel and tire cleaner for the cleaning. and maguires hot shine for dressing

i tried (i think it was) black magic, some circularish shaped thing with a sponge on it. and hated it. it wouldnt come off my tires at all (until i used the eagle 1 that is)

islandboy57 · 07-21-2008, 04:06 AM

I've tried many many tire dressings. All I can say is, don't walk, RUN away from any kind of gel-based dressing. It looks nice at first but after a while it turns into a brown sludge that collects dust and dirt that you can't get off. By the time I realized what the gel was doing I couldn't get it all off. I did my best and it was fine but you could see the crap on it. I got new tires a few months ago and only stick to spray/foam-based dressings. I seem to recall finding non-petroleum-based dressings which are supposed to be better for your tires.

As far as cleaners, I've got a foaming one which does a great job. The Eagle 1 stuff is a little too abrasive for certain shiny finishes. I used it on my friend's car and it made the finish cloudy and gross. On the gen 3.5 the Eagle 1 worked great but it also has a painted alloy finish, not something shiny.

eurohazard · 07-21-2008, 06:15 AM

I clean with Dawn and water, as I'm not a fan of harsh chemicals on wheels. I rarely (maybe once a month) dress the tires, but when I do, it's usually a foam. I never wipe, I just let it sit and dry.

***prnc_chrmng*** · 07-21-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandboy57

All I can say is, don't walk, RUN away from any kind of gel-based dressing. It looks nice at first but after a while it turns into a brown sludge that collects dust and dirt that you can't get off. By the time I realized what the gel was doing I couldn't get it all off. I did my best and it was fine but you could see the crap on it.

THATS exactly, what i was trying to say last night after my brain shut off.

94cylcamry · 07-21-2008, 10:42 AM

I pretty much wash the plastic hub caps with the car soap after I'm done washing the car, though I do foam the actually tire with this Armor All stuff. Seems to work pretty good.

Last time I waxed the car though, I waxed the hubs along with it, and it keeps them looking nice and shiny for awhile, and it's easier to clean them afterwards.

jdg371 · 07-21-2008, 12:53 PM

I work at a dealership and we usually use some sort of "acid" to take off months of brake dust, I myself never use as it is too abrasive. I prefer something lighter. I use "Mean Green" the closest that I can see it being is Spray 9 or something like that. It smells the same, I have used it on many types of wheels and it cuts the dust and leaves it clean with a pressure washer.

For tire dressing, I used a water like substance. It works really good, but it lasts very short. Maybe a week or so.