Tire dressing recommendation

[Alan D.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

My understanding (feedback from a detail shop) is that the dressings like armorall, muguiers, are not great for the tire rubber maybe that's why they brown up.
The 303 is formulated to protect the rubber from UV and is what I have been using for a decade.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

The "brown" is residual mold release compound. It's not that visible on new tires, but it holds dirt and eventually turns brown. Mineral spirits will remove it, and I thoroughly clean new tires with mineral spirits before mounting them. Scrubbing with soap and water will not remove mold release compound, nor will tire cleaning chemicals like Bleach-White. Once the mold release is removed it's easy to keep the tires clean with soap and water.

I've been using Armor-All for at least 30 years and have tires that have been in service for 15-20 and never found any evidence that Armor-All is harmful (though I use it spareingly). I think that's just another myth.

Duke

[Dave F.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

My understanding (feedback from a detail shop) is that the dressings like armorall, muguiers, are not great for the tire rubber maybe that's why they brown up.
The 303 is formulated to protect the rubber from UV and is what I have been using for a decade.

That has not been my experience with Meguiars' rubber bumper treatment #42. Use it sparingly and the tires stay black for months w/o the gloss.

[Jim W.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Another vote for 303 Aerospace.

[David D.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Another vote for 303 Aerospace.

I have to agree.....as well

[Kurt G.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Meguiars vinyl and rubber conditioner is great. There is no formaldihyde in it to dry out and rot your rubber like Armorall, STP and most of the others, it doesn't have too much shine, and it protects not only the rubber on your tires, but it is also good on protecting the vinyl on the dash, etc from UV damage. I've used it for many years and have had no problems.

[Alan D.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Thanks for tip on the mineral spirits cleaning, picked up another unknown detail. Guess we all have a certain brand.

[Jeff S.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Duke

Do you know if the use of mineral spirits to remove mold release agent from new tires would likely stain a colored sidewall (white, red or gold) stripe?

[Jaime G.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

As mentioned above, Its your choice.
I prefer a matte natural finish and no silicone.
Griots Garage vinyl and rubber dressing is
my choice.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

Duke

Do you know if the use of mineral spirits to remove mold release agent from new tires would likely stain a colored sidewall (white, red or gold) stripe?

Good question. Removing the mold release compound with mineral spirits/paint thinner is very messy job, and figure the rags are throwaway because they cannot be cleaned.

I've never had anything but blackwall tires, so I never had to worry about colored sidewall treatments.

Go slowly and try to avoid getting anything on the white letters, but with sufficient wiping with mineral spirts wetted clean rags any dirty residue should eventually come off.

You'll need lots of old rags. I use a spray bottle of mineral spirits and old toothbrushes to get into the molded in lettering like the UTQG and size data, and I'd say I have to go over each tire about three times before it's really sufficiently clean and free of the mold release compound, which is really nasty stuff!

Duke

[Anthony G.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

I have found that the Stoner's tire product seems to work OK, as long as you rub a tad to get in all the cracks and eliminate any "over" shine.

[Steven B.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

The mineral spirits works good! I have used Armor All for decades and also Meuiar's---I now use the satin look, not the wet look. There are alot of good products out there.

I do not recommend you do what we did in the 60's----shine 'em with brake fluid!

[Gary S.]

Re: Tire dressing recommendation

I use a 50/50 blend of Armor-All and distilled water - gives a nice black satin finish. I think shiny tires look horrible.

Duke

This was the comment I heard from a judge during my first ever judging on my 72 years ago. The judge mentioned "see the tires on the car over there?" and then proceeded to tell me that he thought they were too shiny. They were. Almost plastic looking, they were so shiny. I have been using a 50/50 blend ever since then, just as Duke says. Not too shiny, but enoughi to show that you like a well dressed tire.