How to Keep Tires Black

Co-authored by Tom Eisenberg and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: February 1, 2020 References

Black tires can make a car look slick and brand-new, but they can be hard to maintain thanks to dirty roads and UV rays from the sun. Fortunately, you can keep your tires looking black by routinely cleaning them and applying a tire dressing. Tire dressing will protect your tires from the elements, and it can make your tires shine. Just be sure to keep up with regular applications so the brand new look of your tires doesn’t fade away!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Tires

1
Rinse off caked-on dirt on your tires using a hose. If you don’t have a hose at home, go to a local carwash and use theirs. Spray down the surface of all your tires. If you notice any tough dirt spots, move the hose closer to the tire so the stream of water is more powerful.^{[1]
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2
Spray the surface of your tires with a cleaner. Use a store-bought cleaner designed specifically for rubber tires. You can make your own using water, a few drops of dish soap, and a spray bottle. Spray all over the surface of your tires so they’re completely covered with the cleaning mixture. Don’t worry if you get some cleaner on the rims.^{[2]
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- If you don’t have a spray bottle, mix your cleaning solution in a bucket and apply it with a rag.
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3
Use a hard-bristled scrub brush to brush the cleaner into your tires. Bring the brush back and forth over surface of the tires. Press firmly over any dirt or grime patches so they come off. If the bristles of the brush accumulate a lot of dirt, rinse the brush off.^{[3]
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4
Wipe down your tires with a dry microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are better at picking up particles than regular towels, but you can use a regular towel if that’s all you have. Wipe the towel over the whole surface of your tires to remove any leftover cleaner and pick up lingering dirt and grime.^{[4]
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- When you’re finished, your tires should be nearly dry.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying a Tire Dressing

1
Get a water-based tire dressing that contains a UV protectant. Water-based dressings with UV protectors help prevent sun damage, which can make your tires look less black. Read the label on a tire dressing to find out what kind it is.^{[5]
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- If you want your tires to be shiny, look for a dressing labeled “shiny finish” or “slick finish.”
- You can find a tire dressing online or at your local auto store.
EXPERT TIP

Tom Eisenberg
Auto Technician
Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.

Tom Eisenberg
Auto Technician

Tom Eisenberg, the owner of West Coast Tires & Service, responded: “The best way to clean your tires and keep them black is to use soap and water or a pressurized hose. You shouldn’t use tire shine like Armor All, which is a chemical that makes tires look dark black. Armor All soaks into the sidewall of the tires and creates premature cracking, especially in hot climates.”
2
Apply the tire dressing to your dry tires with a sponge. Put a drop or two of the tire dressing on the sponge and rub the sponge over the surface of your tires. Continue to apply more dressing to the sponge until you’ve covered the entirety of each of your tires.^{[6]
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- Read the label on your tire dressing for specific application instructions.
3
Wipe down the rims of your tire with a microfiber cloth. The cloth will pick up any of the tire dressing that may have gotten on them. Make sure you wipe the rims down thoroughly so leftover tire dressing doesn’t damage them.^{[7]
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4
Let the tire dressing dry for 5-10 minutes. Driving immediately after you apply a tire dressing could prevent the dressing from sticking to your tires. After 5-10 minutes, when the dressing is completely dry, your tires are ready to go!^{[8]
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- Check the label on your tire dressing for specific drying instructions.
5
Apply more tire dressing every 2 weeks. Routinely applying tire dressing will keep your tires looking clean and black. If you need help remembering, choose 2 days of the month, 2 weeks apart, to dress your tires and stick to those days. Make sure you thoroughly clean your tires before you apply more dressing.^{[9]
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