What Tire Dressing for Judging

[James B.]

I have completed the restoration of my '67 coupe and have it entered for judging in a Chapter meet next month. I would like to find a tire dressing that is appropriate but all the ones I've seen advertise 'high shine' or 'Wet look' or something similar. Does anyone have a suggestion for a brand that will make the tires look like new but not overly shinny?

[Michael J.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

I use the 303 tire protectant, it is not shiny, and penetrates and protects the tires too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSQlPBDj4m4

If you want a little more shine, I use this on my street cars:

http://www.gloss-it.net/GlossItSignatureTireGloss-idv-113-65.html

[Keith B.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Use none. It's not a show and shine contest. And besides judging is how it was delivered. And I'm sure no dealer used that stuff

[Chuck M.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

I've used a 50/50 mix of water and armor all that works well. It's not shiny, more of a satin finish which keeps the "look" of the tires.
Chuck

[Brian M.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Lemon Pledge.

[Garry B.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

If your tires need cleaning so that they present well, do that, but for judging don't use anything.

[Keith W.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

James if you can get by with soap and water great, but sometimes you just need them to look a bit better, I also hate those wet shinny looking tyres almost makes the tyres look like there made from plastic - when needed I use

[David S.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

303 works great. I've use that also.

Best,
Dave

[James B.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Thanks for the replies. To Keith and Garry, my main concern is the reddish/brown on the outer half of the tire circumference (new Coker Repros). Went into archives and Duke Williams says that is mold release agent- difficult to remove and suggests mineral spirits. Once I clean that up I want the tires to look uniform and like new rubber but no shinier. Not a big problem, Bloomington Gold judges liked them as is (except for obvious DOT stamp) and from what I hear BG is more like concour judging than NCRS.

[Leif A.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Griot's Vinyl and Rubber dressing. Leaves a clean, low sheen, natural rubber look. Apply after thoroughly cleaning the tire. I'm not a fan of the shiny chit.

[William F.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

What's best way to get the brown off? I'd be afraid to use mineral spirits.

[Chuck M.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Griot's Vinyl and Rubber dressing. Leaves a clean, low sheen, natural rubber look. Apply after thoroughly cleaning the tire. I'm not a fan of the shiny chit.

Great call Leif! I forgot about that product, it works great and as you said leaves a low gloss finish that looks natural.

[Glenn B.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Keith, where would one find the Show Tire product?



Glenn Butler
49107

[Ed N.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

This is what I use (see picture). Never had a deduction due to its use. It's water based and it dries to a nice satin look. You can always get a damp towel and wipe the tire. That will make it look even flat, but it retains the "blackness" finish.

[Duke W.]

Re: What Tire Dressing for Judging

Thanks for the replies. To Keith and Garry, my main concern is the reddish/brown on the outer half of the tire circumference (new Coker Repros). Went into archives and Duke Williams says that is mold release agent- difficult to remove and suggests mineral spirits. Once I clean that up I want the tires to look uniform and like new rubber but no shinier. Not a big problem, Bloomington Gold judges liked them as is (except for obvious DOT stamp) and from what I hear BG is more like concour judging than NCRS.

It was not common back in the sixties for new car tires to be slathered with some shiny dressing, so IMO for judging the tires should just be clean with no kind of dressing applied.

In the past I've used mineral spirits to remove the brown residue that I believe is mold release. Sometimes you can't see it when the tires are new, but it will begin to show with time. It's been awhile since I had to clean that goop off new tires, and I recall mineral spirits (paint thinner) worked best, but you might also try denatured alcohol and see which works best. Neither will harm the tire, but use clean rags that you are willing to just throw away after the job because there's no way you can clean that crud out of them.

For normal use I've used a 50/50 solution of distilled water and Armor All in the past, but lately haven't been doing so. I have one "rain car", but it only sees rain maybe every two to three years, so the tires really don't get dirty, or maybe I'm just getting lazy in my old age.

Duke