tire dressings

[Grey Ghost]

I read in another thread that tire manufacturers believe that tire dressings are bad for rubber's longevity

What type of dressing is most popular in the DIY detailing forum?

My car looks smashing with nicely-dressed rubber...I use it elsewhere as well. I use a cherry-smelling clear spray called "Tire Wet." I've used Armor-All in the past, and I see "Forever Black" getting a plug in here as well.

[Tom Hanson]

I prefer the natural look of a clean tire.

[Saaz]

I also prefer plain old clean tires. I really don't like shiny stuff on my tires, just looks unnatural. :D

If I were going to put anything on them, I'd probably try whatever Zymol makes. I like their rubber/vinyl products - not sticky or shiny.

<pure speculation>When I built model airplanes as a kid, I remember putting a mixture of glycerin and "green soap" on rubber bands to keep them from drying out. I wonder if something similar would be good for tires, and would give the shiny "dressed" look. I've also noticed that Zymol rubber seal dressing contains glycerin... </pure speculation>

[Ferdman]

After washing our cars I apply Griot's Garage Vinyl & Rubber Dressing to the tires with one of their blue detail sponges ... gives the natural look of new tires.

[Ratcliff]

Has anyone used the Rubberblack product made by Leatherique? I know it's designed for rubber bumpers, but I assume that it will work for tires also.

[dolebludger]

For a natural look of a flat black tire, I would suggest 303 --- the same stuff that gives SP 40 UV protection to plastics.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[Tom Hanson]

I remember using Pledge one time, but my wife caught me and made me dust the entire house. The furniture looked worse than the tires.

[dolebludger]

For another product, here locally a wholesale auto detail company sells a tire dressing called "Lester" which is a blue liquid one brushes on, which gives a pretty good shine initially. After some use or washing, it becomes a nice semi flat black, but never has a tendency to "brown out" like some stuff Meguairs test marketed a few years back. It's easy to use and seems to do well. However, the label says it is flamable, probably meaning it's a petroleum base. I have a few worries about putting any petroleum on rubber, even though many of our local dealers use this stuff. Do any of you experts know of any problem with using a petroleum base tire dressing?

Thanks,
Richard:) :confused: :)

[mbzjag8090]

The only one that works for me is Turtle Wax Tire Dressing. It comes in an actual bottle and applys as though it were a wax, not a phony spray-on. The sprays just don't work. Maybe for a day or two. The turtle wax lasts many weeks. Interestingly, I found it at the grocery store of all places!

[Grey Ghost]

don't forget, the 123 chassis cars had 14" wheels, so there's ALOT of sidewall showing. I like all that area to look neat. When the stuff I use dries, it just has a slight shine. One of these days, I'll use a digital camera and submit a photo of the Grey Ghost when she's all dressed up (love that car!)

[dolebludger]

After reading Justin's post about Turtle Wax tire Wax, I recalled that I had an unused bottle of it in my garage, so I applied it. It gives an initial good look --- a soft shine that looks classy and not "mickey mouse" like some of the "super shine" silicone products look at first. I'll report back on this thread after a bit of use and a couple of washings to see how it holds up. Just so long as it does not turn brown like something Meguairs test marketed a few years ago!!! But, so far so good.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

I like to see my tires shine.
Presently I am using Meguirs Tires dressing.
I chose it because it doesn't turn brown, it was on sale and you can use it on all of your exterior vynal components.

Yes G.G the side walls are large so I squirt, fritz it on and then using a stff cheap paint brush, brush it ALL OVER HIS BODY.
That way you don't put it where you don't want it.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

[Grey Ghost]

Don/Chairman/Skip#1/Spiderman -

When are you going to post a picture of Donka II? We'd all love to see how handsome he is...

Tell you what, if you post his picture, I'll post Grey Ghost's

(if my wife will trust me with her digital camera)

Beep beep from autumn in Connecticut where traffic is slow and time moves fast

[D.L. SWINFORD]

G.G.;
Being Computer Dumb; I don't know how to send a photo on our forum.
If you would e-mail me instructions I would be happy to showoff Donka II.
Help
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don, :p :p :p

[bill streep]

Don,

First we assume you have a digital photo on your computer, and you know "where" it is. Hit the "Reply" button, key in your reply as usual, and then down underneath the reply section you'll see a heading that says "Attach file:". Click on the "Browse" button there, and browse your computer until you find the file. This should attach the photo.

[John Fair]

I use Meguirs tire dressing. My tires tend to turn dark brown if left alone. This is really a problem with the winter snows.

I also use the tire dressing on the black plastic bits on the Ford which tends to turn gray if left alone.:D

[dolebludger]

I don't know if it is the same stuff or not, but about three years ago Meguairs sent out an ad with a coupon for a free (small) bottle of a new tire wax they were bringing to market. I ordered some, and applied it according to directions. It was spring or summer. In about three weeks, my tires turned as brown as a worn out old boot! I had to scrub and scrub to get that stuff off! I've used over 20 kinds of "tire dressings" in my life, and usually my only problem is they wear off too quickly. I have never had any other one turn my tires brown. But this one did.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Bill;
I have a Nikon Cool Pix 900 Digital camera; Nikon's first high res digital so you know how old it is. I don't really care for Digital. I have an HP Scanner, Photo Deluxe 5 software and I thought I would scan a positive print and send it.
Maybe the digital would be easier.
I'll dig the Nikon out and give it a try.
Thanks and I'll give it a try.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast
, Don

[Flash Gordon]

Each time I go to my dealer for service, they put the black oily stuff on my tires. This stuff is really nasty:mad: It slings off on to the paint. When I clean it off, the shop towels turn black, real nasty stuff. I have to remind the dealer not to put it on. I have a bottle of tire dressing for a long time and I think only my son uses it once in a blue moon;)

[Ferdman]

I'm not sure what type tire dressing the MB dealers use, but I have seen their shop techs applying it with a paint brush. You're right it detracts from the car's appearance ... too shiny, attracts dust/dirt and slings off onto the bumpers and fenders. You'd assume that many customers would complain and the dealers would switch to a more suitable tire dressing.

[Grey Ghost]

I'm using a Turtle Wax product presently. It's a clear liquid that sprays out of a bottle onto a (clean) tire. I then spread the product on the tire using a sponge. The tire initially looks shiny, but after the product dries the rubber just looks black and healthy (with a slight shine).

[oldsouth]

I prefer a clean tire to one with dressing on it. I too have to remind the dealer not to put that stuff on my tires. A clean tire will stay cleaner longer than one with dressing. The dressing tends to attract and retain dirt and dust.

[dolebludger]

oldsouth:

Given your preferences, you might like use of "303" on your tires. This stuff is amazing on vinyl, and actually soaks into rubber and vinyl. When it is wiped off and dry, there's no shine. Just an even black look. As this stuff is rated at SP 40 UV protection, it also will prevent future "fade to grey" on your tires.

Hope this helps,
Richard:) :) :)

[Flash Gordon]

Originally posted by dolebludger
oldsouth:

Given your preferences, you might like use of "303" on your tires. This stuff is amazing on vinyl, and actually soaks into rubber and vinyl. When it is wiped off and dry, there's no shine. Just an even black look. As this stuff is rated at SP 40 UV protection, it also will prevent future "fade to grey" on your tires.

Hope this helps,
Richard:) :) :)
Richard, where do you get this stuff, Pep Boys?

[dolebludger]

Flash Gordon:

Strangely, auto parts stores don't sell 303 in my area. However, boat dealers do, so that might be an option. Also, Performance Products sells it (1-800-243-1220, www.performanceproducts.com). Other than giving tires a nice matte black look, 303 is a must for dashboard treatment. Not shiney. Helps prevent the dreaded cracking and splitting. Won't dry out the material like Armorall will. Good stuff!

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[oldsouth]

As many mile as I put on, my tires don't last very long anyway. With the product applied and absorbed by the tire, when you run your finger across the tire is it slick or dry feeling? I use Westly's Bleach White and a brass brush to clean my tires with nothing else.

[dolebludger]

With 303, you spray it on, wait just a little while, and wipe it. Just a few hours after that, your tires will feel pretty dry, and certainly not greasy.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[dolebludger]

Sorry to post after myself, but oldsouth's question was of interest to me. Today, I applied some "303" to some clean tires on another of my vehicles that had no "dressing" or "wax" on them. I sprayed the 303 on and waited a few minutes, and wiped it off. Almost immediately, the tires felt totally dry as I rubbed my fingers over them.

"303" is not a surface dressing, but is a product that is meant to soak in and protect from UV rays, and thereby keep the color natural. With tires, this means black. No shine, no grease, no goop, no unatural look. Just a nice, black tire. And, it stays that way for a good while, if that's the look you want.

By the way, there have been a number of posts on this board about how to fix cracks in dashboards and other vinyl surfaces. There really isn't a way. But if your car does not have these problems (yet) "303" application is the best way I know to prevent such problems. And again, with no unatural shine or greasiness.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[oldsouth]

I am going to order a bottle and try it. I have always used armor all on the interior leather, usually about once a quarter, but this stuff sounds like it would protect without the slickness of armor all. I might try it on the tires also. Thanks!

[dolebludger]

I guess I learned the truth about Armorall when I bought the truck and ordered the bed cover. When it arrived, the instructions said to use ONLY 303 on the vinyl cover. It further said that use of Armorall would VOID the two year warranty. It further said that Armorall initially produced a high shine, but over the long run it dried out the plastic. Since then, I have heard the same thing from a number of professional detailers. Please, do not use Armorall on vinyl interior parts, or leather, as it has a drying effect after a few months, and will cause splitting of dashboards, window sills, and seats. If you doubt me, talk to a professional detailer in your community.

I use 303 on my tires, vinyl, and leather on my MB. Oh, sometimes, I want a higher shine on my tires, so I use some product called "Lesters" that is sold only locally and used by many dealers. But it gives only a temporary shine to the tires. To keep them looking black and nice, a 303 base can't be beat. I put all the Armorall I had in my garage in the trash months ago, and I recommend the same action to all of you. The dashboard on my truck is six years old. It has been treated with 303, and it is still as supple as it was when new. As I re-treat it from time to time, I don't think it will ever crack or split. I do the same with our Honda S 2000 and our MB.

Our Section tech says you can't go wrong with using 303. He's right, you know.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[dolebludger]

oldsouth:

Our '04 C320 has a combination of MB tex and leather insert interior. About once a quarter, I spray and wipe the whole thing down with 303, dash and all, then supplement that on the leather inserts in the seats with some good leather creme. The whole process takes maybe 10 minutes. I've been doing the same 303 routine on our '98 truck since, well, '98! And ditto on our Honda S 2000 for the past three years. Everything looks brand new.

Again, most detailers I know say Armorall is a "no-no", as it leaves an initial greasy shine, then dries out the material underneath, causing it to fail sooner. Our Section tech agrees. He recommends we "trash" all of our Armorall, and use 303 (or, if we don't want to do that, using nothing would be better). On tires, however, I don't think Armorall causes any damage, if you like the greasy shine it gives (temporarily). It just does not do much good.

When you get your 303 and use it on your tires as decsribed above, then get some leather cleaner (such as Zymol) and clean the vinyl, leather, and MB tex (if any) parts of your interior. Then, spray and wipe the area down with the 303. Then use a good leather creme on leather surfaces, and you should have a good, clean, and attractive interior that is free from the "greasy shine" of Armorall! And your interior will have a UV rating of SP 40 agianst sun damage.

And , as far as tires are concerned, if one wants a nice natural looking matte black look on the tires, this is the best way I know to get it.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[560slntulsa]

Richard, I am sure Carol told you I bought the 99 E320 I had been looking at for over 2 months, I had it last weekend for a test and was sold on the car. What is this 303, is that the only name, all though the car is pretty clean, Bruce and I are currently working detailing it to our spcifications, claying the body and polish and waxing, I want to treat the leather and the vinyle interior. Can I get 303 at autozone or such stores. Thanks and looking forward to the next meeting in OKC.
Terry :) :) :)

[oldsouth]

Well, I received my bottle of 303 that I ordered and used it yesterday. It is much better than Armorall. Overall I am quite pleased. I tried it on one tire and still prefer a clean tire to a treated one. The treated tire seems to attract more dust but not nearly as much as the Armorall treated tires. I will be using it on the interior of my cars.
Thanks!

[dolebludger]

Terry:

The only name for this product is "303." For some strange reason, auto parts stores don't carry it, usually. You can get it at some boat stores, but call around first for availability. A sure bet is Perfornance Products ( 1-800-243-1220; www.perfromanceproducts.com) You can use 303 on your interior and exterior vinyl and rubber (including tires), and it works well on leather too. Unlike stuff like Armorall, it does not just sit on the surface and look greasy, but it soaks in --- even on vinyl, and gives a UV protection of SP 40. In this way, it prevents (but will not repair) cracks on dashboards and door sills, and (I believe) prevents creasing of leather. And unlike Armorall, it will not eventually dry such surfaces out!

While oldsouth would prefer a more matte finish on tires, 303 provides the most matte (least shiny) tire dressing finish I've found. Also, I've been told (but cannot prove) that it prevents those little hairline cracks in tire sidewalls.

And Terry, congrats on your new purchase. I think you may have the same V6 as our C 320. I just drove "Benzi" to Dallas and back and got over 28 mpg. And I don't want to discuss at what speed, in case this board is monitored by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol!

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[560slntulsa]

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, I did go on line and 2 stores in Tulsa had it, I bought it yesterday afternoon and used it on dash only, last night, will do rest of interior when I finish detaililng outside of car. Am anxious to get 320 on road to see how it does on milegag, anything over 16 in town is going to be an improvent over the Jeep.
Looking forward to 16th, see you in Edmond.
Terry

[carol]

I use Meguiar's High Gloss Hot Shine Tire Spray. It's very easy to use and I especially like the adjustable spray nozzle - there's virtually no waste and overspray. I set it on narrow for my C320 and on wide for the tires on my Chevy 4x4 pickup. We also use it on the Ferrari and I use it on my Jerald cart wheels (competition driving with my miniature horses).

Great product that works for us!

Carol

[dolebludger]

CLARIFICATION AND AMPLIFICATION.

I spoke with Terry, who posted above, at our Section meeting, and learned that some Ace Hardware stores also carry 303.

I also learned that there may be some confusion about appropriate uses for 303. It is good on the tire sidewalls, but is not recommended for wheels for the "brake dust" problem. 303 is meant to soak into the material to which it is applied. But it can't soak into metal wheels so, on them, it will leave a residue that will actually help brake dust stick to the wheels! The best thing I've found that helps the wheels shed brake dust is Rain X Wheel Protectant. And it only helps a little.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[artpb]

For shows I attempt to achieve a very low luster. Several of the products mentioned start you off in the right direction. After applying products that leave a matte type finish, I wait about a half hour and then use a rag to remove anything that did sot yet absorb. Follow that with light buffing.

To set these great looking tires off I spray cleaned wheel well's with one of the single stage tire cleaners. It's sort of like framing a picture isn't it?

art

[artpb]

For shows I attempt to achieve a very low luster. Several of the products mentioned start you off in the right direction. After applying products that leave a matte type finish, I wait about a half hour and then use a rag to remove anything that did sot yet absorb. Follow that with light buffing.

To set these great looking tires off I spray cleaned wheel well's with one of the single stage tire cleaners. It's sort of like framing a picture isn't it?

art

[dolebludger]

By way of follow-up, the Turtle Wax Tire Wax was starting to turn brownish on my tires. During my last car washing, I used Dawn hand dishwashing detergent to strip it off (Dawn is good for wax stripping). Then, I decided to go back to "Lesters" (used by all car dealers here) for a higher gloss on my dark burgandy car. In future washings, I'll use 303 to maintain the gloss level I want, without increasing it. I like the initial look of tire waxes like this, and the one Meguiars had a few years ago. Wish somebody could direct me to one that wouldn't turn brown.

Personally, I feel that some tire manuracturers are trying to cover their rear-sides in scaring us away from tire dressings. Always used them. Never had the sidewall fail or crack before the tread was gone, except once when a road hazzard was involved. On the other hand, my son-in-law has cracking sidewalls on his Continentals on his '03 Ford Expedition, and has never used tire dressing. Tire Rack's user reports state that this is a common problem with his low rated tire. Corporations, it seems, never cease in trying to find others to blame for their errors. I mean, if a tire's sidewalls cant stand some dressing, how can they stand up to the goop they pick up from our Okla. City streets?

So I will continue to use tire dressings of various types, because I want my car to look as I want it to look. And the tire manufacturers can just go to ------ well, you know where.

Thanks,
Richard

[dolebludger]

By way of follow-up, the Turtle Wax Tire Wax was starting to turn brownish on my tires. During my last car washing, I used Dawn hand dishwashing detergent to strip it off (Dawn is good for wax stripping). Then, I decided to go back to "Lesters" (used by all car dealers here) for a higher gloss on my dark burgandy car. In future washings, I'll use 303 to maintain the gloss level I want, without increasing it. I like the initial look of tire waxes like this, and the one Meguiars had a few years ago. Wish somebody could direct me to one that wouldn't turn brown.

Personally, I feel that some tire manuracturers are trying to cover their rear-sides in scaring us away from tire dressings. Always used them. Never had the sidewall fail or crack before the tread was gone, except once when a road hazzard was involved. On the other hand, my son-in-law has cracking sidewalls on his Continentals on his '03 Ford Expedition, and has never used tire dressing. Tire Rack's user reports state that this is a common problem with his low rated tire. Corporations, it seems, never cease in trying to find others to blame for their errors. I mean, if a tire's sidewalls cant stand some dressing, how can they stand up to the goop they pick up from our Okla. City streets?

So I will continue to use tire dressings of various types, because I want my car to look as I want it to look. And the tire manufacturers can just go to ------ well, you know where.

Thanks,
Richard