The dos and don'ts of applying tire black on your car

Tire black is often used by professional and amateur detailers in order to create contrast between the wheels and body of a vehicle. Heck, the product can even be used on motorcycles if you need to make your bike as presentable as can be. 

Be warned though, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration when it comes to tire black. The process may seem straightforward, but there is a proper way to apply it onto your tires so here are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to tire black. 

Make sure to take a rag, old towel, microfiber, or even an old t-shirt to apply the tire black. You don’t want to be hand applying this stuff onto your tires in the first place. Tire black is also quite hard to wash off your hands, so a little on your fingers and palms sure beats a whole hand slathered in tire black. 

As with everything, tire black is at its best when applied with moderation. A bit of elbow grease can go a long with instead of relying on copious amounts of product. Remember, all you need is one layer of the stuff, a bit of effort, and you’re good to go. Remember, about a pea-sized amount for most regular hatchbacks and sedans, then you may want to add from that if you own something with bigger sidewalls like an SUV or pickup truck. 

The reason why you don’t want to apply too much is that the excess will fling off your wheels and onto your paint once you get up to speed in your car. Tire black has a tendency to stick on paint and cause stains that may be a little difficult to wash off. Save yourself the hassle and save some product by applying a thin layer all around that’s just enough to give your tires a nice shine. 

After your car is washed and dried, the tire black should be applied once all the dirt is out of the way so you have a clean surface to apply on. Additionally, you want your tires to be dry before you apply the product. This will ensure that you get the most adhesion and longevity so you don’t have to reapply the product on an earlier date. 

Tire black is meant to go on the outer sidewalls of your tires, and nowhere else. The liquid has a tendency to reduce friction, but it shouldn’t affect your car’s handling if you get a bit on the outer portion of the tread. What you do not want to do is apply tire black to the inner tread of the tire,  not only will that create a mess of things, you will also compromise the performance of your tire, at least until you wear it away. Still, however, depending on the tire black you use, it may also degrade the rubber slightly.