In a previous video, I explained what water-based tire shine is and even showed how to make a simplified version at home. It worked briefly, but as expected, the mixture separated within minutes due to the lack of commercial-grade stabilizers.
In this post, we’ll explore solvent-based tire shine—how it works, what’s in it, and even how to make a basic version to understand the concept (not necessarily for actual use). While the chemistry is different from water-based formulas, the shiny effect still comes from one key ingredient: silicone oil. The main difference lies in how that shine is delivered to your tires.
Shine Chemistry: Water vs. Solvent Carriers
Water-based tire shine uses emulsifiers and surfactants to suspend silicone oil in water. Solvent-based tire shine, on the other hand, relies on petroleum distillates—a type of hydrocarbon solvent (similar to mineral spirits or naphtha). These solvents are excellent at dissolving silicone and allowing it to spread smoothly over rubber.
Once applied, the solvent evaporates (or “flashes off”), leaving only the silicone behind—producing that deep, wet-look gloss.
DIY Solvent-Based Tire Shine Demonstration
To illustrate the concept, I combined pure silicone oil with an off-the-shelf solvent. After a brief stir, the two blended perfectly. This demonstrates the core function of a solvent-based tire shine: it dissolves and evenly distributes silicone oil.
However, I don’t recommend using generic solvents on actual tires. Many can be too harsh and may damage rubber, lead to browning, or degrade surrounding materials.
Instead, I tested the mixture on the base of an old outdoor basketball hoop. After about 30 minutes, the solvent evaporated, leaving behind a glossy, slick finish from the silicone oil alone.
Why Today’s Solvent-Based Tire Shines Are Safer
Modern solvent-based tire shine products are much improved. Professional-grade detailing brands use carefully engineered solvent blends that:
– Effectively dissolve silicone oil
– Evaporate quickly for fast drying
– Are safe for rubber and trim with regular use
Older tire shines gave solvent-based formulas a bad name due to the use of overly harsh chemicals. While silicone often took the blame, the real issue was the solvent. Silicone oil itself is inert, safe, and offers excellent gloss and water resistance when properly formulated.
Final Thoughts
Solvent-based tire shines use petroleum distillates to carry silicone oil
Once the solvent evaporates, only the glossy silicone remains
DIY versions can be useful for learning, but commercial products are safer and more effective
The bad reputation of solvent-based shines is mostly due to outdated formulas, not silicone itself
Now that you know what solvent-based tire shine is and how it works, you’ll be able to choose or apply these products with more confidence. In an upcoming video, I’ll compare several solvent-based brands head-to-head—stay tuned!
