Why JetSplash’s Tire Shine Looks Better — and Stays Cleaner — Than Other Car Washes

The JetSplash Tire Shine Difference: Clean First. Rotate. Apply Right.

When it comes to tire shine, the result you see at the end of the wash depends entirely on what happened before it. At JetSplash Car Wash, we include tire shine on our top three wash packages. But we don’t just apply any product in any way. We’ve designed our tire shine process to deliver better results, a cleaner finish, and a longer-lasting look — without the mess that comes from traditional methods.


We Clean the Tire First with a Hand-Prep Power Wash. Every Car. Every Wheel.

Here’s what most drivers don’t realize: You cannot apply tire shine properly to a dirty tire.

At many car washes, tire shine is applied to whatever is there — road grime, brake dust, old product buildup, you name it. At JetSplash, we do it differently.

Before your vehicle even enters the wash tunnel, we hand-prep every tire. That means:

  • Removing built-up grime

  • Breaking down old tire dressing

  • Clearing brake dust and residue

  • Creating a clean surface for proper bonding

Then your vehicle goes through the wash. Only after the tire is fully cleaned and washed do we apply the shine.

Why does this matter? Because shine applied to a clean surface bonds better, looks more even, and lasts longer. Clean tire first. Shine second. Always.


Your Tires Rotate — And That Changes Everything

Not all conveyor systems are built the same. JetSplash uses a roller belt conveyor system, which means your tires actually rotate as your vehicle moves through the wash.

Many “magic carpet” style washes use a flat belt that your car sits on. In those systems:

  • The wheels don’t rotate.

  • Only one section of the tire gets exposed to the applicator.

  • Coverage can be uneven.

When your tires rotate on our roller system, the entire sidewall is exposed evenly during application. That means:

  • Full, consistent coverage

  • No missed sections

  • A uniform finish around the entire tire

Rotation isn’t just a mechanical detail — it’s a quality difference.

JetSplash’s Gloss Boss-Tire shine applicator


Tire shine slinging onto the car’s paint

More Product Isn’t Better (It’s Sloppier)

Another major difference? How much product gets used.

There are two common types of tire shine:

  • Water-based (typically produces a matte or satin finish)

  • Silicone-based (produces a deeper, glossier shine)

JetSplash uses a silicone-based product because it delivers that rich, dark finish customers love.

But here’s the catch:

Some washes drench their brushes in the silicone-based product. It can be excessive. And when a brush is oversaturated:

  • It becomes soaking wet

  • As it spins, product slings outward

  • Tire shine can land on your paint

That “wet” look might seem impressive at first — until you see residue on your fender.

Tire shine applied to a dirty tire


We Engineered the Right Use Rate

We’ve tested. Adjusted. Refined. Through extensive experimentation, we’ve dramatically lowered our silicone use rate while maintaining the shine level customers expect.

The result:

  • No slinging: The product absorbs into the tire instead of sitting on the surface, so it stays put — not on your paint.

  • Even coverage: It applies smoothly for a consistent finish.

  • Clean, rich appearance: Instead of an overly wet, greasy gloss, you get a deep shiny finish that looks clean and professional.

  • Safer for your vehicle: Water-based products are gentler on tires, trim and surrounding surfaces.

It’s not about dumping product onto the tire. It’s about applying the right amount, the right way, to a properly cleaned surface — while the tire rotates.


The Bottom Line

A great tire shine isn’t an afterthought. It’s a process:

  1. Hand-clean the tire first

  2. Wash it completely

  3. Rotate the tire during application

  4. Apply a controlled, dialed-in amount of silicone-based product

That’s the JetSplash difference. Because shine shouldn’t be sloppy. And your paint shouldn’t pay for someone else’s shortcuts.



Experience the JetSplash Difference in Lincoln

If you’ve ever left a car wash only to find black specks along your doors minutes later, it’s time to try something better. Stop by JetSplash Car Wash in Lincoln, Nebraska and experience the difference our tire shine process makes. Your car — and your paint — will thank you.

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