Does Tyre Dressing Mess Tyres Up?

Baron_Samedi · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:19

Hi,

I really like the look of a clean car and lush black tyre walls after a valeting session.

But.... does the tyre wall solution degrade the rubber side wall of the tyre?

Jimmi · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:24

Baron_Samedi said:
Hi,

I really like the look of a clean car and lush black tyre walls after a valeting session.

But.... does the tyre wall solution degrade the rubber side wall of the tyre?

is not just a gloss of some sort? a bit like polishing something almost

Liverpool-Lad · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:30

On the contrary, the correct dressing protects the sidewalls from turning brown, cracking and protects from UV light. Id recommend Meguiars Endurance Gel.

MarkST · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:45

Liverpool-Lad said:
On the contrary, the correct dressing protects the sidewalls from turning brown, cracking and protects from UV light. Id recommend Meguiars Endurance Gel.

I use the same stuff, couldnt recommend it enough. You can have a 'mat' finish or 'shiney' depending on how many coats.

sloth · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:51

I'm not a big fan of it, and most of it ends up the side of your car. I use Optimum Tyre Shine and once applied it looks just as good, but it doesn't fling greasy crap all over your car.

eidolon · 30 Dec 2006 at 15:54

If you happen to drive a powerful, mid engine'd RWD car, say like an MR2 turbo then be very careful with that stuff.

(guess who slithered up a sliproad once)

ScoobyDoo69 · 30 Dec 2006 at 16:00

eidolon said:
If you happen to drive a powerful, mid engine'd RWD car, say like an MR2 turbo then be very careful with that stuff.

(guess who slithered up a sliproad once)

what did you do? Put it on the middle of the tyre and not the sidewall?

eidolon · 30 Dec 2006 at 16:07

Nope, just put it on the sidewall but it gets everywhere (mine was from a spray can)

Who says MR2s can't drift?

Liverpool-Lad · 30 Dec 2006 at 17:23

The spray ones are terrible as they 'fling' off unless buffed to a finish. The thick gel ones are fine IMO.

MrSix · 30 Dec 2006 at 17:25

I used turtlewax stuff, comes in a green bottle. Smells like crap but does a lovely job, especially on brand new tyres. Lasts for a couple of weeks too.

Liverpool-Lad · 30 Dec 2006 at 17:40

Is that the nano tech stuff?

agw_01 · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:00

Liverpool-Lad said:
On the contrary, the correct dressing protects the sidewalls from turning brown, cracking and protects from UV light. Id recommend Meguiars Endurance Gel.

Interesting.

Why exactly do tyres turn brown? Just from stress?

teaboy5 · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:33

Is it not caused by going over the speed rating for a tyre? Are when they get far to hot.

cdcopyman · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:37

i heard some cheap silicone spray on's can damage/ eat into the sidewalls ...but i tend to use meg's high gloss tyre shine , its gel , i apply with a sponge

Liverpool-Lad · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:38

Im not sure, Ive seen an explanation somewhere but cant find it.

Kamerad · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:44

agw_01 said:
Interesting.

Why exactly do tyres turn brown? Just from stress?

Dog muck

Firestar_3x · 30 Dec 2006 at 18:48

The UV light taking the goodness out of the rubber......

Rotty · 30 Dec 2006 at 19:10

doubt it causes any damage, just make it look like you just bought your car from a dodgy back street dealer though

blueboy2001 · 30 Dec 2006 at 23:08

Most of the cheap spray tyre dressings use silicones which can cause damage. My Mum put silicone based tyre dressing on her car every week and the sidewalls had fine cracks all over them inside 2 years. Silicone molecules act like little mirrors and when the tyres are in strong sunlight its a bit like when you use a shine a mirror in the sun to start a fire - it focuses the intensity of the radiation onto the tyre and speeds up the damage.

Baron_Samedi · 31 Dec 2006 at 11:33

Damn, thats just where my car came from!

Think I got lucky this time tho :-)

Thanks for the input guys - looks like Meguiars are getting even more of my money!

Happy New Year to All