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What's that tire stuff?

Joined
19 November 2001
Messages
46
Location
Tampa, Florida USA
Every time I go to a new car dealership I see the detail guys with this bucket that looks like the paint brush bucket in elementary school after we're all done painting some tree. Looks nasty, blue and dirty. Yet, the detail guys I see dip a paint brush in it and glaze it over the tires and it makes the tires look incredible - not too shiny like "tire wet" stuff, not too flat - but just kind of perfect. I asked one guy what it was and his answer was you can do the same thing with baby oil. What is that stuff - I want some.
 
I know its nothing close to the stuff on the market, I use to work at a gas station and the local dealer would always fill the car with the tire stuff on..looks super...I think Armor All Flash Black is pretty good, and wipe it with your fingers, not a towel..
 
Years ago auto dealers would use old brake fluid to make tires look new. Who knows what they're using today - find a reputable product like Black Again or Meguiar's and stick with it. Your tires will benefit (from the sunscreen protection and lack of cheap formaldehyde based products) from it.
 
That stuff makes a real mess. After getting home it's all over the paint, even sometimes on my doors and top of the front fenders. There's no telling what it does to the paint...For this reason, I request that the dealership NOT wash my car or dess the tires.

BTW...I've stopped using tire cleaners and I no longer get the brown dingy look...I've been using a rag dipped in the soapy water left over from washing my car. It doesn't give it a wet look, but they're definitely black and clean (very little rubs off on the rag)
 
ub2slw wrote:
>>I've stopped using tire cleaners and I no longer get the brown dingy look

That crappy brown look is due to ingredients like formaldehyde in cheap products like Armor All. Use a quality product for better results. I've had good results from Black Again and Meguiar's #40. I also use a cheap spray tire foam on the inner fender wells - these black vinyl pieces respond very well to a protectant. They don't turn brown because they see very little sunlight.

[This message has been edited by Soichiro (edited 17 May 2002).]
 
While I understand that Armor-All is not good for tires in the long run, and that other products with UV protection, etc. are better, my question is:

Aren't you driving an NSX?

Unless the car is a garage queen, you could spray Armor All on my tires every day and the tread is still going to wear out before the sun or Armor All even begin to hurt anything.

Granted, for a garage queen it may make more sense to use special tire products.

This is all hypothetical... I never use any tire gunk on my NSX.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 17 May 2002).]
 
I was just thinking about this yesterday, trying to figure out why I have black splashes all over my fenders and doors after getting a hand wash at work. I guessed that it was the dressing they used on the tires, but was unsure. This thread answers my question. It's annoying having to wipe the car down after my first drive after the wash and will ask them to not do the tires again.
It's especially visible on a white car.

BTW- Do not leave those black splashes on your wheels. If they remain too long they may stain them.
 
I use the Meguiar tire gel and I always have spots on the side of the car after putting it on.

I went to PV Concourse d'elegance last year and I was horrified to see these spots when I got there. I had to wipe down the entire car immediately. I had the gel on the night before and it still did that.

I'll bet people following me must think that I'm spraying oil from my exhaust. I stopped using the gel since then.
 
I use Zaino Z-16 Tire Gloss.
http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm#anchor44322

Here's what they say about it on the Zaino site...

Z-16 PERFECT TIRE GLOSS

For many years I have been dissatisfied with the tire dressings on the market. They are loaded with silicone oil. They are very greasy, oily and messy. They attract dirt and dust like a magnet, have no UV protection, can cause tire deterioration, give an unrealistic gloss and wash off as soon as the tire gets wet. The tire dressing, always slings and gets onto the wheels and surrounding paint surface and causes discoloration and staining. I have yet to find one benefit to using this type of product. Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss is a non-oily, non-greasy, rubber protectant and finishing treatment. Its unique formula with Ultra-Gard™ UV(40) and antistatic properties prevent drying, cracking, browning and repels dust and dirt. Z-16 leaves an incredibly durable, water repellent, perfect looking satin finish, that's only slightly glossy and dry to the touch. Use on all exterior rubber, tires, moldings, plastic trim, weatherstripping, underhood hoses and more. Just wet a sponge with Z-16 and apply to the surface to be treated and let dry. It will last thru rain and multiple washings. Z-16 is very durable and will last an average of 3 to 4 weeks on an outdoor car. Z-16 is not recommended for interior seats or vinyl tops.

********

Disclaimer: I do not work for Zaino, nor do I profit from the sale of any Zaino product.

Regards,
Jim

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1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords
 
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