Welcome back to Part 2 of my review on Ethos Graphene Shine, a water-based tire shine enhanced with graphene. If you caught Part 1, you’ll remember this product left a rich, semi-gloss sheen, was easy to apply, and didn’t cause any sling—making for a great first impression.
Now it’s time to put that graphene-infused formula to the test over a two-week period to evaluate how well it holds up against daily driving, dust buildup, and a simulated rain wash.
Initial Results After Application
Right after applying the product, the tire looked exactly as advertised: a clean, semi-gloss finish with a subtle shine that wasn’t too glossy or greasy. It had a sweet bubble gum scent and dried without any noticeable streaks. Best of all, it passed the sling test after a quick drive.
The control section of the tire was left untreated so I could clearly compare areas with and without the Ethos Graphene Shine over time.
Week 1: Fading Begins
The first 5 days showed strong performance. The tire retained its deep black appearance and semi-gloss sheen well, especially in the early mornings when lighting enhanced the finish.
However, by Day 6, I started to notice some visible fading. By Day 7, the gloss had dulled slightly, but the tire still looked good from a distance—definitely better than untreated rubber.
Week 2: Wear and Dust Take Over
As more miles were added, the finish continued to fade. The untreated control section began blending in with the rest of the tire, showing that the Ethos Shine was slowly wearing off.
Even though the gloss was gone by the end of Week 2, the treated area still held a slightly darker tone, suggesting there was a thin layer of protection left behind. The performance in this stage matched what I’ve seen with many water-based formulas—gradual wear without dramatic failure.
Rain Simulation: Rinse and Scrub Test
Living in California means limited rain, so I simulated a rainy condition with a thorough rinse and scrub.
After rinsing the tire, the water beaded up on the treated area while soaking into the control area—showing some hydrophobic effect was still active. But once I gave the tire a proper scrubbing and let it dry, the gloss and sheen were completely gone. Only a faint trace of product remained, visible only up close.
Final Verdict
While Ethos Graphene Shine doesn’t live up to its claim of ultra-durability—especially when it comes to rain resistance—it performs well for a water-based tire shine. It’s:
- Easy to apply
- Dries clean with no sling
- Looks great for about a week
- Offers a decent cost per application
However, I didn’t see clear evidence that graphene made it noticeably more durable than non-graphene products I’ve tested. That’s something I’ll dive into in a future comparison review.
If you’re looking for a clean, satin-style tire shine that’s easy to use and gives your tires a rich look for several days, Ethos Graphene Shine is worth a try—just don’t expect it to survive multiple washes.
Thanks for following along! If you found this helpful, be sure to check out Part 1 if you missed it, and stay tuned for more tire shine reviews.
