If you require a quick answer, the best tyre shine is the Meguiar’s Endurance Gel, which is an advanced long-lasting formula that provides a high gloss finish to the tyres and can last for weeks. However, if you would prefer a more natural appearance to the tyres, the spray-on Autoglym Instant is the best alternative. Further down in this article, you can see the results from our testing of these tyre shine products in further detail.
To rate the tyre shine formulas within our roundup, we based our recommendations on testing, our experience of using multiple formulas, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the formula’s finish, ease of application, durability and value for money.
For those that are new to detailing and haven’t heard of tyre dressing, we wrote an in-depth guide on how to use it on your tyres. Although simple to use, many people make mistakes that can limit the overall finish of the tyres.
Best Tyre Shine Overview
- Best Overall: Meguiar’s Endurance
- Best Matte Finish: Autoglym Instant
- Best For Durability: Gtechniq T2
- Best All-Rounder: Autoglym High Performance
- Easiest To Apply: Simoniz Back to Black
- Best Value: CarPlan Demon Tyres
Depending upon the finish that you require, most formulas will allow you to apply multiple coats for additional shine. The extra layers will also result in longer-lasting results but it’s crucial that you allow time for the formula to dry between coats.
Below is a list of the best tyre shines that are easy to apply and provide a long-lasting protective shine.
The Best Tyre Shines
1. Best Overall: Meguiar’s Endurance Tyre Gel
Meguiar’s offers a number of tyre shines that are available as a gel, aerosol or spray formula. However, the most popular and highly rated is the Endurance Tire Gel, which provides long-lasting results and can withstand car washes and rain.
Unlike other formulas the brand offers, the gel eliminates overspray, runs and drips, which allows you to achieve a consistent finish around the tyre.
- Easy to apply gel formulation
- Produces a high gloss finish
- Withstands rain and car washes
- Unbeatable long lasting protection
- Protects against UV damage and browning
- Consistent results each and every time
- During testing, we were very impressed that the gloss finish remained for over 2 weeks
- Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
- Gloss finish may not be to everyone's taste
To conclude, the Meguiar’s Endurance Gel is by far the best tyre shine on the market that provide long-lasting results. This is made possible thanks to the advanced polymers, which also provide a high gloss finish.
For the best results, it’s strongly advised to apply this tyre shine using the brand’s dedicated tyre dressing applicator pad. Although it’s an additional cost, it makes application far easier and more consistent without any sling.
2. Best Matte Finish: Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing Spray
The Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing is another popular option in the UK that comes in the form of a spray formulation. Unlike the Meguiar’s alternative, this tyre shine provides a more natural, like-new finish as opposed to a high gloss.
In terms of application, you only need to spray the dressing onto the tyres and then leave it to dry. If there is any overspray on the bodywork or wheels, the excess can be wiped away with ease using a microfiber cloth.
- Natural matte/sheen finish
- Polymer silicone protectants
- Simple spray on application
- Can be sprayed on dry or wet tyres
- Not the easiest to apply in windy conditions (may get on the alloys or paintwork)
Overall, the Autoglym tyre dressing provides instant results and is ideal for those that require a like-new finish. If you require a glossier finish, you can layer this formula or purchase the brand’s gel alternative.
3. Best For Durability: Gtechniq T2 Tyre Dressing
Gtechniq is well-known for its high-quality detailing products and its T2 Tyre Dressing follows that great reputation. What makes it stand out from the crowd is that it has been designed to provide supreme durability against rain, car washes and the tough road environments.
According to the brand, their tyre shine is a no-sling formula that won’t get slung into the paintwork of your car. This is a common issue of many formulas that produce sticky and hard to remove residue upon the bodywork of the car
- Able to achieve a satin finish in one coat or gloss finish in two coats
- Superior durability and easy to apply
- Protects the tyre against drying, cracking or hardening
- Easy to apply gel formulation
- Requires a thorough application for the best results
Overall, the Gtechniq T2 Tyre Dressing provides a highly durable protective layer to your tyres as well as a finish of your choice. For those that prefer a natural satin finish, one coat of the dressing is more than enough. However, if you prefer additional gloss and extra protection, multiple layers are highly advised.
4. Best All-Rounder: Autoglym High Performance Tyre Shine
Another tyre shine by the Autoglym brand is their High-Performance Gel, which is designed for additional durability. The brand has made this possible by including extra silicone polymers within the formula that contribute to the durability and prevents the gel from slinging.
For the best results whilst using this tyre shine, it’s advised that you pour a small amount of the gel onto the brand’s dedicated applicator pad. Depending upon the finish you require, you can apply multiple coats for a glossier finish.
- Anti-fling and super durable gel formulation
- Can apply to wet or dry tyres
- Produces a satin or gloss finish (dependent upon the number of coats)
- Sweet and appealing scent
- Grease-free formulation
- Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
Overall, the Autoglym High-Performance Gel is an excellent all-round tyre shine that combines performance with an excellent finish. There is really nothing to dislike because it’s durable, easy to apply and you can choose the finish you want by the number of coats you apply.
5. Easiest To Apply: Simoniz Back to Black Tyre Shine
The Simonz Back to Black tyre shine is a highly rated option that guarantees to restore, protect and shine tyres. It leaves a deep gloss shine on the tyres and takes seconds to apply using the new and improved formula.
As it’s an aerosol-based tyre shine, the application is quick and easy. Simply spray it straight out of the can and onto the tyre sidewalls and then allow it to dry before driving the car.
- New and improved aerosol formula
- Treats up to 30 tyres
- Durable high gloss finish
- Quick and easy to apply to any tyre
- Difficult to avoid overspray in windy conditions
Overall, the Simonz Back to Black is an affordable tyre shine that provides quick and easy results. As it’s an aerosol and designed to be sprayed straight onto the tyres, it may cause minor overspray for cars with ultra-low profile tyres.
6. Best Value: CarPlan Demon Tyres Spray
By far one of the cheapest tyre shines on the market that’s actually worth buying is the CarPlan Demon Tyres. It’s a tyre shine spray that’s silicone free and designed to produce the desirable wet look on your tyres.
- Easy to apply
- No wipe formulation
- Produces a wet look tyre
- Refill containers available for extra bang for your buck
- May require regular top ups to retain its finish
To conclude, the CarPlan Demon Tyres offers the best value and provides a far better finish than similarly priced alternatives. It’s also very easy to apply with a no-wipe formulation that seals in the shine.
How We Tested & Rated
Tyre shine is one of our favourite detailing products to use and even if we are only giving our cars a quick wash, we will always try to apply tyre shine due to how quick and easy it is to use.
Over the years, we’ve tried and tested several tyre shines as well as new and improved formulas by top brands.
A great example of our continual testing is the previous Meguiar’s Endurance Gel formula, which used to be very greasy and resulted in the finished tyres collecting dirt and dust. However, since the brand improved the formula, it’s now less greasy and still maintains its legendary durability.
During our testing, we analyse the tyre shine’s finish, ease of application and durability. In the photos below, you can see some before and after photos we took during testing of the tyre shines to give you an idea of the finish they provide.
Meguiar’s Endurance Before And After
Autoglym Instant Before And After
To give you an idea of how easy tyre shine is to apply, we also posted a video on our YouTube channel that shows us testing the Meguiar’s Endurance Gel. As you can see, we were able to cover a large 21-inch tyre in less than a minute.
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest tyre shines for this article, we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved formula, we will attempt to buy it and put it to the test (where applicable).
Conclusion
Tyre shine is one of the most popular detailing products because it adds the finishing touches to a detailed car. After using an alloy wheel cleaner to remove dirt on the wheels, the tyres will also need attention and this is where a tyre shine becomes very useful. They are available as a spray, gel or aerosol and take just minutes to apply to all four wheels.
If you require further information regarding our tyre shine recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
