This is probably the most detailed Chemical Guys Tire Kicker Tire Shine review you’ll find online! Over the next 7 days, I put this water-based tire dressing through a real-world test, tracking its performance through daily driving, dust, weather, and a final clean-off. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth using, keep reading—or better yet, watch the video.
Weigh-In and Application
Before anything, I weighed the full bottle: 1.184 pounds. After applying the product, I weighed it again to figure out how much tire shine I used per tire.
For this test, I followed my usual 3-spray method: spray the applicator pad three times, then work it evenly into the sidewall. I never spray directly onto the tire—it’s cleaner, uses less product, and reduces sling.
As I applied the product, I made sure to really work it in. Press the pad firmly and move it across the tire in every direction—clockwise, counter-clockwise, with and against the grain—for the most even shine. I ended up using 9 sprays total per tire.
By the way, Tire Kicker has a nice, faint fragrance—not overpowering. After re-weighing, the bottle was now 1.172 pounds. That’s 0.012 pounds of product, or roughly 11 cents per tire. To treat all four tires, you’re spending about 44 cents total. That’s pretty affordable.
Initial Results (Day 1)
After about 30 minutes, the tire shine was dry to the touch. It didn’t feel oily or greasy. The finish was glossy, just the way I like it. If you prefer more shine, you can always layer on more.
I took the car for a spin around the neighborhood, hitting about 47 miles per hour. Afterwards, I inspected the trim and fender liners—no sling whatsoever. That’s a big plus.
Day 2: 24 Hours Later
It’s been 24 hours and about 50 miles of driving, including some freeway use. The shine is still clearly there, although maybe slightly less intense. Could be due to the lighting, but overall, the tire still looks good.
Day 3: Holding Steady
With roughly 70 miles on the clock, the shine is still comparable to the previous day. No blotchiness or streaks. The car has mostly been parked, but it has also seen some sun, wind, and cool foggy nights.
Day 4: Dust Test
For this test, I drove through an unpaved parking lot, circling around several times to kick up dust. Surprisingly, the tires treated with Tire Kicker didn’t attract much dust—around the same as untreated ones. It held up better than I expected in a dusty environment.
Day 5: Hose Test – Water Beading Check
I rinsed the tire with just water to simulate rain and see how hydrophobic the coating was. Water beaded up and rolled off quickly, showing that the shine was still there and creating a protective layer.
After a few minutes of rinsing, the tire still had a light sheen. Most of the dust washed away easily, which shows the tire shine was still working. Even after 5 days and about 85 miles, Tire Kicker was holding up pretty well.
Day 6: Fog, Drizzle & More Driving
Today I took the car out for more errands in foggy and drizzly weather. The total mileage since application is now around 100 miles. The tire is definitely less shiny than Day 1, but still doesn’t look dull. For a water-based shine, this is good performance.
Day 7: Cleaning It Off
To end the test, I triple washed the tire using my usual process—wet, spray cleaner, scrub, rinse, repeat 3 times.
On the final rinse, I noticed the water no longer beaded, which means the product was mostly removed. The tire had a slight yellowish tint, known as blooming, which is totally normal. That consistent, dull look actually tells me the tire is clean and ready for another application.
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Trinova Tire Shine Spray Review – Part 2: Long-Term Performance & Durability Test
In part 2 of my Trinova Tire Shine Spray review, I tested its durability over two weeks. The shine faded to a light sheen after one week and was mostly gone by week two. While it didn’t survive a wash, water beading showed some protection remained. Great for a subtle, clean tire look—just don’t expect long-lasting shine.
Glycerin and Water DIY Tire Shine Test: Does It Really Work?
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Solvent-Based Tire Shine Explained: How It Works, What’s Inside, and Why It Shines
This post breaks down what solvent-based tire shine really is, how it differs from water-based formulas, and why silicone oil is the key to that deep, glossy finish. We’ll also walk through a simple DIY example to show how it all works—plus why you should be cautious with homemade versions.
Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Tire Shine – Part 2: Two-Week Durability Test
In part 2 of my Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Tire Shine review, the product showed good shine and no sling but had a slightly uneven coat at first. Over 2 weeks, the shine faded evenly, leaving a darker tire. After rinsing and scrubbing, it washed off easily, making reapplication simple. Overall, it’s an easy-to-use tire shine with a clean finish.
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In Part 2 of my EXOforma Wet Tire Dressing review, I tested its durability over two weeks. While the gloss faded, the tire kept a dark, clean look and repelled water well during a rinse test. Despite some streaking during application, it performed solidly in dry conditions.
