Shadowing and tire shine.

[Waxman]

My detail shoppe used to apply tire shine by (GASP) spraying it on tires.

Since we changed to hand-applied by applicator pad I have saved alot of $$ on tire shine cost and the results are great (never 1 tire shine complaint unless we totally miss a tire).

I'm wondering if I should begin 'shading' tires. I got the idea from watching a friend use a program called "Lightroom" to develop digital pictures.

What do you think? Not dress the whole sidewall but leave some 'low spots'?

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I don't think I understand...can you clarify?

 

[Waxman]

I would hand apply dressing to side wall but not rub it in hard so that is goes over top of grooves in sidewall tread or lettering that is stamped in sidewall.

 

[robert roman]

Back in the old days when I operated a detail shop, I used Lemon Pledge (yellow aerosol can) to shine tires and wax rims.

Interestingly, this occurred out of frustration with using the conventional tire shine goop; slimy appearance, sling, drips, etc.

The Pledge leaves a “satin” finish like a new tire, there is no sling and it holds up pretty well.

I also discovered Pledge works well to remove and cover up marring and light scratches on plastic motorcycle windshields and back windows of convertible tops.

 

[Waxman]

I wonder how Pledge would work out expense-wise. I think I could stretch the tire dressing further than the same amount of Pledge.

I found a knock off Pledge at Rite Aid for $1 per aerosol can.

 

[Tom Thumb]

Gee, I must be in the older group on this site, when I was a kid working at a service station cleaning cars before the big auction we used 7-UP ( that was a soda ) and it looked great.

I am not suggestion you use it today just shows how much things have changed.

 

[rph9168]

The original tire dressing if you want to call it that was a product called Tire Black. It would coat the tire and make it look like new and last for quite a while. It you got in on the hubcap or finish it was really difficult to get off. It was somewhat like a rubberized paint.

After that they went to a dextrose based product that really put on a great shine but would come off even if you just hit a puddle. Since this was essentially sugar water it also sometimes drew ants that often would get stuck to the tire if the product was still a little sticky. The original Armor All product was very greasy and did not dry well. It seemed to attract dust to the tires. The introduction of water based silicone products made all of these products become obsolete. Today's solvent and water based silicone products are far superior to the originals.

 

[Pro-Techt]

What's the rationale for wanting to do this? A preferred look or save costs? Isn't it going to look uneven causing people to complain?

What brand of dressing are you using? Water or Solvent based?

 

[Waxman]

I thought it would look good on certain tires and yes it would save dressing.

I use solvent based exterior dressing on tires.

The tires I tried this way I liked the look, personally.

 

[Pro-Techt]

If you can cut costs and still make the customer content.....why not?