So you just bought brand new tires, but wait, why aren't they all black and shiny? Why do they look old and dirty? Could it be that they've given you old tires? Before more negative thoughts enter your mind, let us share with you the explanation given by the experts regarding those dirty-looking tires.
Your new tires look dirty because of the antiozonant residue on their surfaces. This is used by manufacturers to protect the tires from harmful ozone and UV rays. When exposed to the air, the antiozonant turns to a brown color that makes your tires look old. But by cleaning them properly and using tire protectants or tire shine, you can make them all black and glossy again.
Continue reading because we'll talk more about why your new tires look old. We'll also share with you how to clean your tires properly, how to make them black and shiny or just black if you don't want the glossy look. Let's also talk about whether those tire shine products do work and how they'll benefit your tires.
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Take a look at the tires pictured above. The photo shows us tires that are all black and shiny. This is what we usually see on the ads, right?
But wait, this second photo below shows us tires that seem to have dirt on them. And guess what? Both pictures show us brand new tires. It may very well be a case of expectation vs reality.
There's an explanation behind this. Your new tires may look dirty and old because of the antiozonant used by manufacturers to give them added protection from different elements.
Antiozonant is a natural and organic compound that's usually added to rubber to prevent cracking caused by harmful ozone and UV rays.
In other words, manufacturers normally use antiozonant on their tires to make them last longer. This process is called tire blooming.
However, the antiozonant can eventually make its way to the sidewalls of your tires, and as it comes into contact with oxygen in the air, the color of its residue turns brown. This is due to oxidation which explains why your new tires look old and dirty.
Tire blooming may not look appealing, but it does wonders to your tires. It gives them defense from ozone cracking. They won't dry up and rupture when exposed to harsh elements which means they'll last longer.
If the dirty look of your tires bothers you, you can clean them to make them look better. Here's how to do it properly.
Make sure you cover all sides and remove the grime along the exterior and interior of the rim.That's it! Simple and easy, right? Do this at least once a month to remove dirt on your tires, keep them in tip-top shape, and make them look great all the time.
If you are not a fan of the shiny finish, you can make your tires look black by giving them a good cleaning. It's recommended that you use 50% cider vinegar and 50% water for your cleaning solution.
You can spray it on your tires then let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing and drying it with a clean towel.
The vinegar-water solution is natural, so there are no harmful ingredients that might adversely affect the surface of your tires.
Store-bought cleaning solutions may contain harmful substances or additives that can harm you or your tires. But going with mild liquid dish soap ensures you won't go wrong.
Follow the proper way of cleaning your tires mentioned earlier. Rinse thoroughly and make sure that there are no residues left on the surfaces. Allow them to dry completely, and you'll have clean black tires all the way!
If the brown residue of the antiozonant bothers you, there are ways for you to make your tires all black and shiny.
Here's what you can do:
Water-based protectants are considered more environment-friendly and won't cause any harm to the rubber over time.
Some even contain anti-UVR properties to protect your tires from harsh elements. Solvent-based tire dressings use silicone that's responsible for giving your tires that shiny look.
However, solvent-based protectants can make tires more prone to drying and cracking, especially those that contain petroleum distillate in their ingredients, so check the product information carefully before buying.
Tire protectants or dressing can come in bottle sprays or aerosols. You can spray or wipe it on your tire to enhance its protection against the elements.
They can revitalize or moisturize the rubber used on your tires, giving them a wet look and shiny finish which makes your tires look brand new.
But more than that, they will prevent color fading, cracking, and tire hardening. This means your tires will last longer, and that gives you more value for the money that you spent on your new tires.
Click here to see this water-based tire protectant on Amazon.
There are various tire protectants or tire shine products available in the market. Each one has a different claim on how long their luster will last. Some say that they'll make your tires glossy for a week while some promise long-lasting shine.
This is where it is especially useful to read customer reviews for their personal experiences regarding the product.
You might as well do your research so you'll get the best value for your money while giving the best protection to your tires.
Tire experts vouch for the usefulness of tire shine. They believe that it adds an additional layer of protection to our tires to help in maintaining the rubber quality. Since our tires are always subjected to abuse on the road, they need all the protection that they can get.
Tire shine doesn't only make your tires look cleaner and glossier, it also helps keep off dirt and other debris from accumulating on the surface. Some even come with anti-UVR properties that protect tires from harsh elements.
In the end, these products help prolong the service of your tires by ensuring they are in the best condition all the time.
Dry rotting or cracking of the rubber in your tires is caused by constant exposure to harsh UV rays. The rubber components start breaking down, the oils evaporate, and the sidewalls begin to harden and lose their flexibility, which leads to cracking.
Tire shine helps prevent dry rot by moisturizing the sidewalls. Choose one that offers UV protection to shield your tire from ultraviolet rays and ozone that are the real culprits in the breakdown of rubber.
Click here to see this UV protectant tire shine spray on Amazon.
Don't be too bothered when your new tires look brown and old. This is caused by the antiozonant used by manufacturers to protect your tires and make them last longer.
Just clean them properly using the right cleaning solution and some tire shine products to bring out their rich black and shiny appearance.
For more articles on proper tire care, take a look at these posts:
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You’ve scrubbed your car inside and out and gotten rid of those lingering crumbs and annoying smudges on the windshield — but how are your tires doing? There’s a good chance all that wear and tear on your tires has left them in need of some extra love! Luckily, cleaning your vehicle's tires is easy and can be done in four easy steps.
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle coming in contact with the road. That means they are usually the first thing to get dirty! And while a little dirt won't hurt, what could be hiding underneath the dirt and grime just might — think nails, cracks in the sidewall, and low or uneven treadwear. Follow these four easy steps to get your tires squeaky clean to help you determine if it's time for new tires from Firestone Complete Auto Care.
To start your tire-washing process, you'll need a bucket, microfiber towels, a hose and spray nozzle, and a soft-bristled brush. For a deeper clean, use a light-duty pressure washer, a waxing mitt, and a wheel brush.
Use non-abrasive cleaning agents like dish soap, warm water, and wheel wax. If you’re curious about how to clean car tires naturally, try using a 70/30 mix of white vinegar and baking soda.
After you’ve collected your tools and materials, rinse off all the loose dirt using your spray nozzle or the lowest setting pressure washer (if you have one). Try to work the water from multiple angles — above, below, and both sides — to knock out the most grime from the interior of the rim.
After you've rinsed the tire, scrub the surface thoroughly. Begin with the tires, and move on to the wheels to avoid having tire grime drip onto a clean wheel face. With your bristled brush, scrub the tire with warm water and dish soap (about a tablespoon of soap per gallon of water). For stuck-on grime, let the soap mixture sit on the tire for a few minutes to help soften things up. Then, repeat scrubbing and rinsing as much as you need.
Once your tires are glistening, you can start washing the surface of the wheel. Wet the wheel face, and use your brush with warm, soapy water to scrub everything down. If you want to apply a natural cleaning solution on your chrome wheels, pour equal parts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spritz onto the wheels to melt away stains.
Use a smaller brush to tackle tougher spots on the wheels, then fully dry both the tire and the wheel with a clean, microfiber towel.
While a wax application isn’t totally necessary, it’s the perfect final step to get your tires looking their best. For maximum results, apply a cream or paste wax with a waxing mitt, and make sure to follow the instructions provided on the container. After applying the wax, give it a final polish with a microfiber cloth, and marvel at that amazing shine!
Cleaning your tires is important if you want your car to look its best! Since tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road while you’re driving, they can require a bit more TLC than the rest of your ride when it comes to keeping them clean.
Aside from dirty wheels not being aesthetically-pleasing, cleaning your tires is also a great way to limit corrosion or similar damage. Letting dirt and grime hang out too long can cause your wheel finishes to peel and can even make the rims more porous (which could create tire pressure leaks).
Cleaning your tires on a routine, bi-monthly basis can help remove the salt, dust, and oil buildup that are a natural part of driving and keep your vehicle in top shape for years to come.
Paying attention to your tires’ health is essential in helping extend their lifecycle and keeping things running smoothly out on the road. If you’re cleaning your tires and notice that any one of your tires is balding, wearing unevenly, cracking on the sidewall, or has an obstruction, it's time to make an appointment at Firestone Complete Auto Care.
We provide expert tire repair, alignment services and can even help you pick out a whole new set of tires for your vehicle! Whatever your vehicle needs may be, our team is here to get your car back on course.
(
Updated:
27/07/2020
)
Contents of article
The right technology and the right detergents can help get rid of brake dust and gravel stuck in the tread, improving the safety of the car, driver and passengers.
How to wash tires we will tell in this article.
To clean the wheels from dirt, dust and oil residues, you will have to act according to the following plan:
The wheel should not be treated with the same napkin as the car body. Traces of solvent or oil will stain the cleaned rubber. In the final, the wheel is applied with a protector that protects the tires from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
To clean dried-on dirt from rims and wheels, you will need a machine that generates high-pressure water. Such installations are produced by American and European companies, so they are quite expensive, but they can be replaced with an ordinary hose and a special nozzle that accelerates the water jet to a pressure sufficient to clean the car.
To remove residual dirt, you will need a medium-hard bristle brush and a cleaning solution that is used to treat wheels and rims. This solution can be prepared from household chemicals found in the kitchen or bathroom, or bought at an automotive store. Moreover, store products are divided into universal foam cleaners and solutions based on weak acids, which can only process car rims.
By the way, if you don’t know how to wipe rubber off a car, try this solution.
To wash the wheels of cleaning products, you need the same high-pressure apparatus or a hose with a nozzle. But as a napkin that will wipe off the remaining water, you need to use only clean microfiber from the package.
Summer Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV
Summer Drive protection
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4.5
Tires Goodyear Eagle Sport TZ
Summer Drive protection
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5
Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Winter Drive protection
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV
Winter Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
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Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Winter Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
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5
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Ice SUV
Winter Drive protection
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
All season Drive protection
Rating:
5
Tires Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
4
Tires Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather
All season Drive protection
Rating:
4.
5
Tires Goodyear Vector 4Seasons
Summer
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
Summer Drive protection
Rating:
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Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
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Tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric SUV
To prepare a solution that can clean dirt from tires, dilute in a small amount of water to half a standard bottle of dishwashing detergent.
Pour the resulting concentrate into a container into which it is convenient to dip a car brush. Thanks to the abundance of surfactants found in dish detergent, a homemade solution will clean tires as well as a factory cleaner.
Rules for the use of home remedies that can clean wheels are similar to the recommendations of manufacturers of commercial drugs. Before treating tires and rims with home remedies, make sure you wash the tires. Otherwise, brake dust and gravel residues will turn into abrasive particles that can scratch the tread when you scrub it off dirt with a brush or sponge. Do not try to clean the wheel with an old cloth that has been used to clean the engine compartment or bodywork - it will stain the wheel with oil or gasoline.
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You don't have to go to a car wash or a spare parts store to get your tires back to a deep black color.
You can get by with improvised means, and some of them are sure to be found in almost every home.
There are several ways to blacken tires that are safe and do not affect traction. In the absence of special means for restoring color, for example, shoe polish, glycerin, silicone oil, and even laundry soap and household chemicals are used. Each substance has its pros and cons, but it should be remembered that none of them fully possesses the qualities inherent in special solutions: neither long-term effect, nor protective properties, nor ease of use.
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Blackening tires with shoe polish or other shoe care product is the first thing that comes to mind. At the same time, the processing process itself is no different, only instead of a brush it is better to use a sponge so that splashes of shoe polish do not stain the body. We simply rub the sidewall of the washed and dried tire with shoe polish and let it dry.
Admittedly, the result does not look very good, even when using the product with wax: there is neither shine nor color depth. The application process itself is also inconvenient - imagine what it would be like to process four wheels. The downside is that you have to wait for the shoe polish to dry completely before driving. Otherwise, road dust will quickly stick to the treated surface, reducing all the efforts made to nothing. Of course, there are also quick-drying paint creams, but their cost is such that it will still be cheaper to buy a special product for blackening tires.
Due to its consistency, glycerin creates a stunning jet-black shiny tire effect, and the degree of "greatness" can be adjusted by diluting the product with plain water. For one procedure, only one hundred grams of glycerin and the same amount of water are enough. We mix them, taking into account the fact that the less water in the composition, the more "fat" the effect will be.
But it’s better not to spare water, otherwise dust will stick to the tires, as in the case of wet shoe polish. The composition is applied with a simple sponge without rubbing. By the way, unpainted black plastic body parts can also be processed with this composition.
The advantage of this method is its low cost and the availability of glycerin in any pharmacy. The disadvantages overlap all the advantages: glycerin quickly ages rubber, causing it to crack. In addition, the composition is very well washed off with water - the very first rain or driving through a puddle will not leave a trace of glycerin. In dry weather, tires will only stay black for a couple of days.
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Blackening tires with silicone oil is not the cheapest way because it is not sold in small containers and you will have to buy an annual supply of funds right away. This method is the simplest, most efficient and less labor-intensive than the others.
It is better to use medium viscosity oil, which will also come in handy for treating tires before winter or summer storage - this is the only substance described that somehow protects rubber from cracking, drying out, ultraviolet radiation and moisture.
Tires treated with silicone oil last longer and tires look blacker than new. Silicone oil is also treated with door seals and trunk lids so that they do not freeze.
Laundry soap is perhaps the cheapest product suitable for blackening tires. It can be applied with a pre-soaped brush, or by dissolving a crumb of soap in water, apply the composition with a sponge. There is no need to rinse off the soap: when it dries, the rubber will acquire a beautiful and deep black tint. Like most artisanal methods, blackening tires with laundry soap has its drawbacks. Rubber because of it, as in the case of glycerin, ages faster and may begin to crack, so we do not recommend this method of blackening.
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Household chemicals are often used in car washes.
This is a cheap, effective and harmless method for rubber and its adhesion to an expensive method, which can be offered as a bonus or "gift". It is mainly used for washing glasses, as well as dishes. The first is sprayed onto the sidewall of the tire and rubbed quickly, while the second is applied with a damp sponge. It is not necessary to wash off the compositions.
Also on the forums it is advised to blacken tires with drinks. More often than others, Coca-Cola is mentioned. But because of the sugar in the composition of the cola, it creates a sticky layer, on which dust quickly settles, and is easily washed off in the first puddle.
***
All of the listed products, of course, are inferior to the special compounds sold in auto chemical departments. Their blackening effect is short-lived and does not look so beautiful. In addition, most of them can harm rubber by affecting its chemical composition and reducing its service life. Nevertheless, the described methods are in demand due to their availability and spontaneity, because most motorists do not need to blacken tires every day.
