Can tire shine crack or damage tires?

Quality tire dressings are not a common cause of tire cracking; cracking usually comes from age, UV, ozone, under-inflation and long periods of standing. However, some heavy solvent-based dressings can dry out rubber over time, and very glossy, oily products attract dirt and sling onto paint. Clean the tire first, apply a thin coat of a water-based dressing and wipe off the excess. Check tire age and sidewall condition regardless of the dressing used.