Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

I love a well dressed , shiney tire.
Cant buy a can or bottle for under 4.00 bux now a days.
Any one have any tricks for a lower cost method?
- I remember back in the day hearing about people using brake fluid. I even heard a guy using hand lotion!
Anybody using something cheap, household or different?
I havent tried any myself.
I thought maybe:
-baby oil
-vaseline
-vegtable oil

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

Ruglyde from local parts store.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

I use baby oil on the tires ,door gaskets ,dashpad ,door panels and seats in my wifes 72 Malibu convertible ,my truck will also use it when it comes home.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

I used brake fluid on my first truck to shine the tires up and i cant say for sure but it was not long after that i noticed the side walls checkering. I dont know if it was because the tires were old or if the brake fluid did it but they looked real bad.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

sugar water

furnature polish

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

Cant believe no one has mentioned it yet - used antifreeze!!

It brings back the color to the rubber without making them shiny/sticky looking. Makes them look brand new.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

i don't think i would want brake fluid getting slung onto my paint. doesn't brake fluid eat paint?

i use black magic's "tire wet". nothing makes a tire shine like this stuff. i think it's about $6-$8, but you can wet 4 tires about 4-6 times. depending on how conservitevely you use it. and if it doesn't rain, it will keep your tires shiney for a good 5-8 days.

i would think if you used a household item like baby oil, vaseline, etc. the same amount as the black magic, then your cost would be alot higher. i suppose if anti-freeze shines them up, then that's probably your cheapest route.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

It all depends on the look you are going for. Eagle WET is very good tire dressing, but like I said, it leaves the tires with a very shiny/sticky look that seems out of place to me on some set ups. It also picks up dirt and doesnt like to apply very evenly (even with a tire dressing sponge). Used antifreeze is free (you would have disposed of it) and it makes the tires a rich black without any sheen to it. An old mechanic I used to work for showed me the trick and kept a 5 gal bucket of it from other cars just for the task.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

I know this is store bought but this is all I use.. It gets sticky and wont sling. I wish I could make my own.
http://www.miracleglaze.com/index.html

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

Napa house brand water based tire dressing $19 a gallon and a hardware store sprayer .

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

defiantly dont use brake fluid. it does in fact remove paint.
antifreeze is a no too. it'll make any animal that licks the tires sick. they will lick it off because it's sweet to cats and dogs. coons will chew on the tire to get antifreeze.
dont use any petroleum based lubricate because it oil soaks the tire and will cause it to fail prematurely.
silicone or water-based dressings are you best bet. i prefer water-based because it doesn't remove wax and is easier to get off.if your showing, you dont want your tires to shine. you want the black black and the white white with no oily residue and no more than a semi satin glow. pledge is the best thing ive found is the best thing ive found.

Re: Cheaper tire dressing alternatives
 

I use Meguiars All Season Dressing at work, lasts a long time too.