Is Tire Dressing Safe for My Tires?

Choose water-based tire dressing for a shine that won't harm your tires or the environment.

Shiny tires look new and help improve the overall appearance of your car. Tire dressing provides the look, but it may not be healthy for your tires. Depending on the type used, such dressing may actually cause damage.

Water vs. solvents

There are two types of tire dressings: water-based and solvent-based. Both make your tires look shiny and new, but they are very different in how they affect your tires. While water-based tire dressings are harder to find, they are definitely the better choice.

Tire and Paint Damage

Solvent-based tire dressings can damage your tires. This is caused by a reaction between the chemicals in the solvent, the rubber of the tires, and the UV rays from the sun. This reaction causes a breakdown of the sidewall. A further concern is paint damage caused by the tire dressing being sprayed up from the tires. If not removed, it can damage your car's paint. With water-based tire dressings this is not a problem.

Environmentally Friendly

One more check for the water-based tire dressings is their environmentally friendly nature. In contrast, solvent-based tire dressings contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

References

• Autos: Tire Dressing Info