How to Avoid Tire Sling When Using Chemical Guys Dressings
Sling happens when tire dressing flings onto your paint. Here’s the simple routine that fixes it for good — with the right clean, the right product, and the right technique.
Why Tire Sling Happens
- Dirty tires: Old dressing, oils, and road film prevent new dressing from bonding.
- Too much product: Excess sits on top and spins off at speed.
- No cure time: Driving immediately throws uncured dressing onto your paint.
- Greasy formulas: Solvent-heavy dressings don’t absorb into rubber.
The Smarter Product Setup
Skip oily, high-shine products. Go water-based and satin so it bonds instead of slinging:
- Pure Magic Cleaner — Acid-based wheel & tire cleaner that strips brown oxidation and old dressings fast. Safe on factory clear-coated wheels and uncoated rubber when used as directed. Amazon
- All Dressed Up — Water-based dressing for a dry-to-the-touch, matte OEM finish on tires and trim. Use neat for a darker look or dilute 1:1 for satin. Amazon
Step-by-Step: Sling-Free Tires
- Deep clean: On cool tires in the shade, spray Pure Magic Cleaner. Agitate with a stiff tire brush until foam turns white (brown foam = contamination). Rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
- Dry completely: Blow out letters/sidewall and wipe dry with a clean microfiber.
- Apply thin & even: Load an applicator like All Blacked Out Applicators with All Dressed Up. Work product into the rubber — especially the tread edge and raised letters.
- Level/buff excess: After 5–10 minutes, lightly wipe the sidewall with a clean microfiber to remove any unabsorbed residue.
- Allow cure time: Wait 30–60 minutes before driving. For a darker finish, apply a second thin coat after the first has set.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sling after first drive | Too much product / no cure | Use thinner coats, buff excess, allow 30–60 min cure |
| Browning returns quickly | Contamination not fully removed | Repeat clean with Pure Magic Cleaner until foam is white |
| Greasy feel / dust attraction | Solvent-heavy dressing | Switch to All Dressed Up (water-based) |
Pro Tips
- Mask paint or dress tires before washing paint to catch any drips.
- Use dedicated tire towels — never reuse coating/paint towels.
- For maintenance, a quick scrub with Pure Magic Cleaner keeps pores clean so dressing bonds evenly.
Stop Tire Sling for Good
Clean with Pure Magic Cleaner, then dress with All Dressed Up for a dry, satin finish that stays put.
