The wheels need to be clean first. If not the tire shine won't work right. I think you mentioned something about rain. Almost all tire dressings are water based. So the second it rains it's gone. I suggest simple green to clean the wheels. Don't just spray it on. Scrub the shit out of the tires. Then I use (I believe) black magic. Spray that on the eagle applicator pad and wipe on. But then again I never wash my car so this post may be usless.