Why Cheap Tire Covers Fade So Fast (And How to Avoid It)

If you've ever bought a cheap spare tire cover online, you’ve probably seen it happen: the colors fade, the design turns gray, and the once-shiny cover looks worn out in just a few months. This is one of the most common problems with imported tire covers — and one of the biggest reasons drivers eventually switch to higher-quality, USA-made options.

Here’s the real reason cheap tire covers fade so quickly — and how to choose one that keeps its color for years.

UV Sun Exposure Destroys Low-Quality Inks

The biggest enemy of cheap tire covers is sunlight.

Low-cost covers from overseas use extremely cheap ink that is not designed for outdoor exposure. These inks begin breaking down almost immediately under UV rays.

This leads to:

• Rapid color fading

• Bleaching

• Washed-out graphics

• Cracking in printed areas

Cheap inks simply can’t withstand real-world sunlight — especially on vehicles with rear-mounted spares.

Thin PVC Vinyl Cannot Handle Heat or Sun

Most inexpensive tire covers are made from thin PVC, which has almost no UV protection.In hot weather, this material:

• Softens

• Warps

• Breaks down

• Loses color

• Becomes brittle

Once the vinyl starts degrading, the print on top of it fades even faster.

Quality marine-grade vinyl (used by SpareCover®) is made for:

• Boats

• Outdoor equipment

• Long-term sun exposure

That’s why it lasts.

Cheap Printing Methods Cannot Bond to the Vinyl

Many low-cost covers use extremely basic surface printing methods, such as:

• Inkjet transfers

• Low-heat sublimation

• Thin vinyl decals

• Dye prints designed for indoor use

These methods don’t chemically bond to the vinyl, so the print sits on top of the surface.

When exposed to sun or rain, the print begins to:

• Peel

• Flake

• Crack

• Rub off

This is why cheap designs often look good for the first few weeks — and terrible a few months later.

Weather Cycles Accelerate Fading

Outdoor tires experience constant environmental changes:

• Rain

• Heat

• Cold nights

• Morning dew

• Dust

• Humidity

These rapid cycles make cheap materials expand and contract, causing prints to separate from the surface.

USA-made covers are built with outdoor-grade materials designed for these cycles — cheap covers are not.

No UV Stabilizers in Imported Covers

The most important difference:

Cheap covers do not use UV stabilizers.

UV stabilizers are chemical additives that protect vinyl and ink from breaking down under sunlight.

They make a massive difference in:

• Color retention

• Material strength

• Long-term durability

Marine-grade vinyl (used by SpareCover®) is loaded with UV stabilizers specifically for outdoor use.

Why USA-Made SpareCover® Tire Covers Don’t Fade

SpareCover products avoid fading because they’re built the right way:

• Marine-grade American vinyl

• UV-resistant outdoor ink

• Professional printing processes

• Reinforced base materials

• Weather-tested durability

• Designed for full sun exposure

• Made in Orlando, FL — not mass-produced overseas

These covers keep their color and clarity even under harsh sunlight.

Most customers get years of life from a SpareCover print — not months.

Signs Your Tire Cover Is Starting to Fade

Look for:

• Gray, washed-out areas

• Patchy or uneven color

• Brittle printed sections

• Ink dusting off when touched

• Edges of the print curling or peeling

• Vinyl turning light brown or light gray

These are early warning signs of cheap material failure.

How to Prevent Your Tire Cover from Fading

Even high-quality covers last longer when properly cared for:

• Use a vinyl-safe cleaner (no petroleum)

• Wash the cover occasionally

• Avoid cheap tire shine sprays

• Park in shade when possible

• Choose a cover with UV protection

A USA-made cover naturally lasts much longer, even with minimal maintenance.

Final Thoughts: Buy It Once, Buy It Right

Cheap imported tire covers fade because they’re made with cheap inks, low-grade vinyl, and printing methods not designed for real weather.

A spare tire cover should last years — not weeks.

USA-made SpareCover® products stay vibrant and clean because they use:

• Superior materials

• Outdoor-grade inks

• UV-resistant processes

• Marine-grade vinyl

• Reinforced stitching

If you want a cover that will still look good years from now, choosing a high-quality SpareCover is the smartest long-term investment.