Looking for a short-bristle tire brush and dressing applicator

The Carrand brush looks like it would be good for people who want to slather on a thick, glistening layer of dressing, but I only want to put on the tiniest amount to make it dark matte, and then buff it off anyway.
 
I use the Mother`s wheel brush, but the bristles are probably too long for what you want.

For tire dressing I use this. The first time I bought them it was under the Carrand name, but I`ve found the exact same applicator in many different store with brand names ranging from Chemical Guys to some generic WalMart store brand. Typically they are in a pack of two for around $5.

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beanbag said:
The Carrand brush looks like it would be good for people who want to slather on a thick, glistening layer of dressing, but I only want to put on the tiniest amount to make it dark matte, and then buff it off anyway.
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Beanbag --
This sponge absolutely works great for precise application of - in my experiences - Tuf-Shine Clearcoat.. https://www.autopia-carcare.com/tuf-shine-applicator.html#.W2ytf9XFj3g

Very nice tight foam, does not absorb a lot of your product. Just the right size and thickness for a normal sized hand.. Precise, tight edges that allow precise application of product.
Washes out really easily and can be reused over and over..

I even use this for all Coating, Sealant, etc., applications.. Very inexpensive, easy to buy a couple of packs when you order other supplies..

Hope they never stop making them..
Dan F
 
beanbag said:
The Carrand brush looks like it would be good for people who want to slather on a thick, glistening layer of dressing, but I only want to put on the tiniest amount to make it dark matte, and then buff it off anyway.
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Not sure why this perception but that certainly isn’t the look I go after and not what I end up with when using it. Shine on tires makes me nauseous. Matte, dark and dry is the look I’m after and yeah I use a towel if I over apply. Never had a problem getting this result when using this brush and Poorboy’s Bold-n-Brite.
 
I have the Tuf Shine orange sponge (along with their Tire Clearcoat), and the sponge does not work well. It totally misses the spaces between the small raised lettering. I had to dab and "jam it in" to get those spots filled, and then it drenched the area with too much product.

I do agree that it is good for applying thin layers of product on smooth surfaces, though.
 
beanbag said:
I have the Tuf Shine orange sponge (along with their Tire Clearcoat), and the sponge does not work well. It totally misses the spaces between the small raised lettering. I had to dab and "jam it in" to get those spots filled, and then it drenched the area with too much product.

I do agree that it is good for applying thin layers of product on smooth surfaces, though.
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Sorry this Tuf Shine Orange Applicator Sponge is not working for you.. Did this happen with a new, clean, sponge ??

I have coated dozens of Client`s tires with raised white letters on them, and have never had an issue with it..

My `09 Grand Cherokee came new with raised white letter tires, so there was even more tires to perfect my process on for 6 years alone..

First off, I never put so much product into the sponge that it will run all over the place like it has done for you..

I just shake up the Clearcoat really well, then carefully pour a little line of it on the first quarter of the sponge, and since it just sits there and does not quickly absorb, I take a finger and spread it up and down the area so it is absorbed into the bottom of the sponge..

And if for some reason it does want to run, well, I use the sponge to catch it and absorb it..

I have been able to put just enough downward pressure on it when over those letters, etc., that the product just gets in between them, and they are good..
Dan F
 
beanbag said:
I have the Tuf Shine orange sponge (along with their Tire Clearcoat), and the sponge does not work well. It totally misses the spaces between the small raised lettering. I had to dab and "jam it in" to get those spots filled, and then it drenched the area with too much product.

I do agree that it is good for applying thin layers of product on smooth surfaces, though.
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That was always my experience with sponges too. I doubt I`ve used the Tuf Shine one, although it does look like a freebie I got with an order once, but if it behaved like that for beanbag I`m confident my experience would be the same.

Gearhead_1- Similarly, I just don`t see how any plastic-bristle brush would be different from the ones I`ve tried, but *NO* I`ve never tried that one. What might I be missing, having tried as many brushes as I have sponges? When a given approach fails to satisfy me over countless tries/a few decades, I just stick with a different approach that`s dead-nuts simple and gives the exact result I`m after. Just a happy fluke perhaps, but the one I`m using couldn`t be better if I had a magic wand, one of the few Detailing Tools I`m 100% satisfied with.

I will say this- if the applicator pads I like ever *do* go away, and I ever do use up my refills, then I`ll try both that Tuf Shine Sponge and the Carrand Brush.
 
TBH - I don’t use the orange sponge anymore. It works ok - but it soaks up a ton of product IME. Was using a Carrand tire brush for a while - but God only knows where that went?

Since TS isn’t cheap - I’m trying to use every drop. So, what I’ve found works best is a stiff round boars hair paintbrush - like the kind detailers use to clean stuff. I use the Race Glaze ones.

Absorbs almost zero product, just rinses clean, and can easily brush in letters or recessed on tires. May take a second more to use - I dunno - but does a much better job.
 
I`d recommend the tuff shine tire brush and carrand tire dressing applicator (which requires a little breaking in)

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Setec Astronomy said:
These are the two I was talking about. The first is the Tuf Shine and the second is similar but has a handle that`s a little easier to hold onto when it`s wet.


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Setec Astronomy,

Can you tell me who makes the bottom brush with the non slip handle?

Thanks in advance,

kajunman
 
I`d sure think you can post the name of a competitor here as long as you don`t post an actual link. Top of the Line. Been around since forever, pretty old-school by today`s standards. Irene is good people and IMO deserves whatever added costs come with buying from them.
 
Accumulator said:
I`d sure think you can post the name of a competitor here as long as you don`t post an actual link. Top of the Line. Been around since forever, pretty old-school by today`s standards. Irene is good people and IMO deserves whatever added costs come with buying from them.
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Accumulator is correct. You can discuss virtually anything detailing related on this site but it isn’t the forum’s owners intention to provide a portal to competitors retail detailing sites.
 
U guys were right - the Tufshine tire brush is rather nice. It seems to have the right length and stiffness of bristles for tire scrubbing. The only thing is that I wish there were a version with a handle directly over the bristles.
 
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