DFB5.0
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Armour Detail Supply Ghost
I've met very few tire dressings that I didn't like, and of those, I'd say most of them were from my early days when I didn't know what I was doing. Armour Detail Supply Ghost? Well, it's another knockout ADS product!
ARMOUR Detail Supply Ghost Tire Sealant -Durability up to 3 months - Detailing Shed
Armour Detail - Ghost - Tire Sealant | The Rag Company
Backstory -
In my earlier days, I'd be using heavy solvent dressings such as Autoglym High Performance Tyre Gel, Meguiar's Endurance and Gyeon Q2 Tire, which were nasty products that created more problems than they solved. At the time, I thought a dressing that would last a long time was a desirable attribute. For the most part, solvent based dressings provide a longer lasting effect but are messier to apply and harder to remove...............important because they never truly dry and therefore hold onto dirt, dust and road grime. And if you happen to apply just a little too much, then it will be slung across your paint work and wheel arch liners.
So, while I liked the look, I didn't like the many associated drawbacks.
Autoglym HPTG -
Meguiars Endurance -
Gyeon Q2 Tire -
At this point I should point out the three different types of tyre products -
Tire Dressing - A short-lived liquid or gel-like product that is applied frequently. I favour these products as they offer more flexibility, are easier to apply and easier to remove. Think NV Onyx, Carpro Perl, Meguiar's Hyper Dressing.
Tire Sealant - In most cases, these are solvent based gels that provide longer durability. By creating a barrier to moisture, tire sealants typically last for weeks, not days. Think Gyeon Q2 Tire and Carpro Darkside.
Tire Coating - A ceramic coating designed specifically for rubber surfaces. Longevity is said to be months, not weeks. These require extremely thorough cleaning and prep prior to application. And even then, longevity is known to be variable. I have also seen where a tire coating turned sidewalls permanently brown. Carpro Black-Out is probably the most notable product in this category.
What is Ghost?
And so, we arrive at Armour Detail Supply Ghost, which is labelled as a tire sealant. Compared to the water-based ADS Tire+, which is a favorite of mine, Ghost can last up to 3-months. Compared to the solvent-based tire sealants listed above, Ghost is actually a water-based "nano-sealant engineered for exceptional long-term durability."
What sets Ghost apart though is how the formulation dries to the touch, meaning it won't accumulate dirt and grime. It's sealant properties create a hydrophobic barrier, and just like a sealant on paint, Ghost allows for easier cleaning. It can also help prevent oxidation and tyre browning, which naturally happens when rubber is exposed to sunlight.
Application -
When it comes to tire sealants, preparation is key in achieving the claimed longevity.
1. Start by scrubbing the sidewalls with a strong tire cleaner, think Shine Supply Wise Guy, P&S Undressed or Carpro ReTyre. The ADS Tire Cleaner is great too. If necessary, repeat the scrub process but don't go beyond 2 - 3 rounds, the next step will take care of anything left.
2. Once dried off, grab an old towel and either Stoner Tarminator or Mineral Spirits. Spray the product into the towel and rub the sidewall until it looks complete matte in appearance. These two chemicals are brilliant for stripping away anything lingering on the sidewall. (Note - This step is optional, but is worth the effort from time to time to reset the surface)
3. Prior to application, ensure the tire is completely dry. Prime a foam applicator with 3 - 4 sprays of Ghost, then work the product into the sidewall. Subsequent tires will need about 2 sprays.
The neat thing about Ghost is the blue tracer which clearly indicates where you've been, in effect ensuring even and thorough coverage. This blue tracer will disappear in short order and leave behind a lovely satin sheen.
4. With one coat (as pictured below), Ghost will deliver a satin look. If you prefer a glossier appearance, apply additional layers with 10-minutes between coats.
5. Allow the product to cure for an hour before getting wet.
Unlike other tire sealants that seem to remain a little tacky, Ghost is completely dry after it has cured.
The Follow Up -
Pleased with the look, I was keen to see how this new tire sealant performed during the wash process. Twelve days later at the next wash, Ghost was beading water impressively. The tires on this occasion had a layer of dust on the very outer rim of the sidewall, most of which was removed by a simple rinse. Instead of hitting the rubber with a tire cleaner, I decided to just give them a scrub with a car wash shampoo I used to clean the wheels. Afterwards, this is what they looked like.....................
In this case, the tires looked perfectly acceptable, but I actually decided to follow with a very light swipe over with ADS Tire+, because why not?
Final Thoughts -
As mentioned, for me the longevity aspect of Ghost is not my main priority. What I like most is how it looks, a classy satin sheen that was totally effortless to achieve. Compared to something like Capro Darkside, Ghost is extremely easy to distribute and requires faaaar less effort to achieve even coverage and a consistent finish. Anyone who has used Darkside will know what I mean there.
So, if you prefer a tire dressing that won’t need to be applied after each wash but also WON'T have the typical drawbacks of a solvent product, I now have something I can hand-on-heart recommend.
And for the record, I was NOT paid to write this review.
I've met very few tire dressings that I didn't like, and of those, I'd say most of them were from my early days when I didn't know what I was doing. Armour Detail Supply Ghost? Well, it's another knockout ADS product!
ARMOUR Detail Supply Ghost Tire Sealant -Durability up to 3 months - Detailing Shed
Armour Detail - Ghost - Tire Sealant | The Rag Company
Backstory -
In my earlier days, I'd be using heavy solvent dressings such as Autoglym High Performance Tyre Gel, Meguiar's Endurance and Gyeon Q2 Tire, which were nasty products that created more problems than they solved. At the time, I thought a dressing that would last a long time was a desirable attribute. For the most part, solvent based dressings provide a longer lasting effect but are messier to apply and harder to remove...............important because they never truly dry and therefore hold onto dirt, dust and road grime. And if you happen to apply just a little too much, then it will be slung across your paint work and wheel arch liners.
So, while I liked the look, I didn't like the many associated drawbacks.
Autoglym HPTG -
Meguiars Endurance -
Gyeon Q2 Tire -
At this point I should point out the three different types of tyre products -
Tire Dressing - A short-lived liquid or gel-like product that is applied frequently. I favour these products as they offer more flexibility, are easier to apply and easier to remove. Think NV Onyx, Carpro Perl, Meguiar's Hyper Dressing.
Tire Sealant - In most cases, these are solvent based gels that provide longer durability. By creating a barrier to moisture, tire sealants typically last for weeks, not days. Think Gyeon Q2 Tire and Carpro Darkside.
Tire Coating - A ceramic coating designed specifically for rubber surfaces. Longevity is said to be months, not weeks. These require extremely thorough cleaning and prep prior to application. And even then, longevity is known to be variable. I have also seen where a tire coating turned sidewalls permanently brown. Carpro Black-Out is probably the most notable product in this category.
What is Ghost?
And so, we arrive at Armour Detail Supply Ghost, which is labelled as a tire sealant. Compared to the water-based ADS Tire+, which is a favorite of mine, Ghost can last up to 3-months. Compared to the solvent-based tire sealants listed above, Ghost is actually a water-based "nano-sealant engineered for exceptional long-term durability."
What sets Ghost apart though is how the formulation dries to the touch, meaning it won't accumulate dirt and grime. It's sealant properties create a hydrophobic barrier, and just like a sealant on paint, Ghost allows for easier cleaning. It can also help prevent oxidation and tyre browning, which naturally happens when rubber is exposed to sunlight.
Application -
When it comes to tire sealants, preparation is key in achieving the claimed longevity.
1. Start by scrubbing the sidewalls with a strong tire cleaner, think Shine Supply Wise Guy, P&S Undressed or Carpro ReTyre. The ADS Tire Cleaner is great too. If necessary, repeat the scrub process but don't go beyond 2 - 3 rounds, the next step will take care of anything left.
2. Once dried off, grab an old towel and either Stoner Tarminator or Mineral Spirits. Spray the product into the towel and rub the sidewall until it looks complete matte in appearance. These two chemicals are brilliant for stripping away anything lingering on the sidewall. (Note - This step is optional, but is worth the effort from time to time to reset the surface)
3. Prior to application, ensure the tire is completely dry. Prime a foam applicator with 3 - 4 sprays of Ghost, then work the product into the sidewall. Subsequent tires will need about 2 sprays.
The neat thing about Ghost is the blue tracer which clearly indicates where you've been, in effect ensuring even and thorough coverage. This blue tracer will disappear in short order and leave behind a lovely satin sheen.
4. With one coat (as pictured below), Ghost will deliver a satin look. If you prefer a glossier appearance, apply additional layers with 10-minutes between coats.
5. Allow the product to cure for an hour before getting wet.
Unlike other tire sealants that seem to remain a little tacky, Ghost is completely dry after it has cured.
The Follow Up -
Pleased with the look, I was keen to see how this new tire sealant performed during the wash process. Twelve days later at the next wash, Ghost was beading water impressively. The tires on this occasion had a layer of dust on the very outer rim of the sidewall, most of which was removed by a simple rinse. Instead of hitting the rubber with a tire cleaner, I decided to just give them a scrub with a car wash shampoo I used to clean the wheels. Afterwards, this is what they looked like.....................
In this case, the tires looked perfectly acceptable, but I actually decided to follow with a very light swipe over with ADS Tire+, because why not?
Final Thoughts -
As mentioned, for me the longevity aspect of Ghost is not my main priority. What I like most is how it looks, a classy satin sheen that was totally effortless to achieve. Compared to something like Capro Darkside, Ghost is extremely easy to distribute and requires faaaar less effort to achieve even coverage and a consistent finish. Anyone who has used Darkside will know what I mean there.
So, if you prefer a tire dressing that won’t need to be applied after each wash but also WON'T have the typical drawbacks of a solvent product, I now have something I can hand-on-heart recommend.
And for the record, I was NOT paid to write this review.
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I like Tire+ as well, but it does fade away pretty quickly... I lately have been trying to use up a bottle of Gtechniq T2 tyre dressing, it applies and is pretty much exactly like Perl diluted 1:1. Makes me wonder if they poured that in the T2 bottle LOL...
