I decided to try the oldest tire shine hack in the book—baby oil. It’s all over YouTube, and it makes sense: if it gives bodybuilders that glossy, wet finish, it should work on rubber, right? The instant gloss is undeniable, but I was skeptical about how long it would last.
What’s in Baby Oil?
Looking at the ingredients, baby oil is basically just petroleum oil and fragrance. Since it’s thin in consistency, I poured it straight into a spray bottle—no dilution needed—and tested the spray. It worked fine.
Application and First Impressions
I applied 3 sprays to an applicator pad and started working it into the tire. The oil spread smoothly, giving the tire a deep, glossy black look. The nostalgic baby powder fragrance was a nice bonus. Things were going surprisingly well… at first.
The Shine Fades Fast
Then came the letdown.
Within just minutes, the shine began to fade. I captured a time-lapse of the tire, and you can clearly see the gloss disappearing almost in real-time. The oil, once spread thin on the surface, evaporated faster than expected.
Did It Even Work?
To compare, I looked at the control area—a section of the tire left untreated. There was only a slight darkening where the baby oil had been applied, but from a distance, it was barely noticeable.
Time to Wash It Off
I had planned to run a longer test, but with the shine already gone, I moved on to see if the oil offered any water-repelling properties. I hosed the tire down—no soap, just water.
There was no visible water beading, but I did notice the control area absorbed water differently. Still, that difference was subtle, and after drying, the tire returned to its natural yellowish tint. The baby oil had clearly been washed away completely.
Final Verdict: Baby Oil Tire Shine Hack Busted
This viral hack is officially busted. While baby oil gives an impressive initial shine, it evaporates almost immediately and offers no lasting benefits. There’s no hydrophobicity, no durability, and minimal visual difference after just a few minutes.
