If you're looking for information about how to remove tire shine that got on your car paint, we've got the answers for you. We did the research, and we're glad to share with you the information that we gathered.
Use these products according to the instructions to get tire shine products off your car paint:
- mild dish soap
- rubbing alcohol
- degreaser
- all-purpose cleaner
- clay bar
- Citrol
- Goo Gone
- Goof Off
- Turtle wax rubbing compound
- Swift Wipe waterless wash
If all else fails, you can take your car to your trusted auto repair shop for professional assistance or you can just wait until the stains fade over time.
Keep reading to learn more about each particular product and how to use it to remove stains from car paint. Let's get down to business!
How do you get tire shine off car paint?
Tire shine products are used for tire dressing. They are great to use for detailing your car giving it a polished look and therefore enhancing its appearance.
But aside from making your tires look good, they are also made to protect them from sun damage, dirt, grime, and other unwanted particles. This prevents fading, dry rotting, and cracking of the rubber sidewalls. As such, these products help extend your tires' lifespan beyond the expected timeframe.
Tire shine products are available in wax, dressing, or sealant formula. Each one contains special ingredients that make it effective in blocking out harmful UV rays and for maintaining and repairing your good ol' tires.
These products bring out the best in your tires and give them a polished look. However, you have to be extra careful in their application so that they don't settle over at the painted finish of your car. You really have to wait until they have settled and dried on the tire's surface before you use your vehicle. Otherwise, the wet tire shine product will fling all over your car as the wheels go rolling.
This is especially true when you're using solvent-based tire dressings since they stay wet for a long time. Once they make it to your car paint, they will give it a smudge or smear-like appearance, which isn't pleasing to see at all.
So, be sure to always follow the application instructions carefully.
But unfortunately, tire shine sling has happened far too many times to car owners, which led them to search for effective ways how to remove the stains on their car paint.
We've compiled this list from car detailing experts and car owners who shared what had been effective for them in this situation.
Tire Shine Removal Products To Use on Your Car Paint
Here are the tried and tested products that have proven to be effective in removing stains on the car paint caused by tire shine products.
Dish Soap
If the tire shine is still fresh and hasn't dried on the car paint yet, you can put dish soap on a microfiber cloth and scrub the affected area with it.
Use mild dish soap. It'll work like a degreaser without the abrasive quality of other soaps with stronger ingredients. It will break down the oil, dirt, and grime so that it is easier for you to remove the stain on your car paint.
Find this mild dish soap on Amazon.
Rubbing Alcohol
Trusty rubbing alcohol is another great product that'll help you get rid of the tire shine smudge. This household staple works best when the stain is still fresh and wet on the car panel's surface.
It'll dissolve and break down the chemicals of the tire shine product until they loosen their adhesion on the car paint. This makes them easier to remove.
Alcohol works well both on silicone-based and water-based tire shine products.
Click this link to find this product on Amazon.
All-Purpose Cleaner
An all-purpose cleaner can help you get rid of fresh stains on your car panel. It is gentle on your car's surface, so you can be sure that it won't affect the paint underneath the stain. Just follow the instructions on the product label as you apply this to the affected area.
Check out this all-purpose cleaner on Amazon.
Degreaser
A degreaser is expected to work well on silicone-based products. It'll break down the oils so that they can easily be wiped off the surface. Take note of the recommended dilution rate for safe application.
Find this degreaser on Amazon.
Clay Bar
This is one of the most popular recommendations from car owners who have been in the same situation. A clay bar can remove the contamination on your car paint caused by tire shine products. This can help restore the look of your car without damaging the paint underneath.
Make sure your car panel has been washed thoroughly before you use the clay bar. Apply it on a clean and dry surface. Use it together with a clay lube so that the clay bar can glide smoothly on the affected surface.
Move the clay bar from side to side and give it time to absorb the contamination. The clay lube can also help loosen the stains. Repeat as needed until the affected area has turned smooth and blemish-free. When you're done, wipe off the surface with a clean microfiber cloth.
Click this link to find this clay bar kit on Amazon.
Citrol
This solvent cleaner and degreaser is said to be effective in fighting heavy-duty stains. It will penetrate the petroleum-based substance and dissolve it. This is how it lifts the smudges off the metal surface.
Citrol is a biodegradable and environment-friendly product. It works well on painted surfaces and can remove road tar, adhesives, and grease, among others. Just use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Follow the dilution rate for safe application.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Goo Gone
This is another well-recommended product for a sticky and gooey mess. Goo Gone is a versatile product that works on various surfaces. It is safe to use on car paint to remove stubborn stains.
Try using their automotive spray or Pro Power for some extra strength. These are more potent than the original formula but still safe to use for your car paint.
Goof Off
As its tagline says, it removes what other products can't. Its specialty is getting rid of hard-to-remove stains, messes, and ugly marks on the surface.
Click this link to find this product on Amazon.
Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound
This can be used when the tire dressing has already dried on the car paint. It is safe to use on car paint and can remove blemishes, scratches, and heavy stains. Use an applicator pad or soft microfiber cloth to apply it to the affected area.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Swift Wipe Waterless Wash
Spray it lightly over the affected car paint, then wipe it off with a clean and soft microfiber cloth. After you're done wiping the area, turn the microfiber inside out so that you're using a clean side again to buff off the same portion.
If there are still some blemishes left on the surface, use a V07. Spray it on the clean side of your microfiber towel, then wipe the affected area with it.
Professional Assistance
Some stains just won't go away, no matter how hard you try. If the above-mentioned products won't do the trick and the smudges on your car panel bother you a lot, you're left with no choice but to take it to your trusted auto repair service. Let the pros handle the job.
They might have to use wet sand and buff it out to finally get rid of the stubborn stains. They can do this by hand or with a machine. Either way, they'll be very careful so as not to damage the paint underneath.
But sometimes, this job would also require a paint touch-up to even out the car paint.
Just Wait
Some car owners who have experienced the same dilemma say that you can just wait it out until the stain is removed. This might take several washes, so this is an option if you have the patience and you're not overly bothered by the smudges on your car panel. They say that the heat of the sun will make the stains fade over time.
Obviously, this isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of solution. It will depend on the type of tire shine product that you used, its ingredients, how long it took before you worked to get the stain off, and the chemical reaction with your vehicle, among other factors. This isn't the same for everyone. This is why certain products work great for some car owners while some don't.
In the end, you have to find which one will work best for you.
Some Reminders
Don't use an abrasive product, as it might remove the clear coat and paint underneath it. Test the products first on an inconspicuous portion of your car paint to see how they will react before you proceed with gently wiping the surface.
Final Thoughts
There isn't just one product that can effectively remove the stain from tire shine products. But rest assured that many car owners have faced the same problem and successfully removed the stubborn stains using these products. You will just have to find out which one will work best for you.
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