How to make silicone tire shine


How to Make Homemade Tire Shine

NASCAR may have been founded around moonshine, but those early days of running “white lightning” are long gone. Nowadays, auto enthusiasts prefer to run a different kind of shine, and unlike those hot-rodding bootleggers, this stuff won’t force you to run from the fuzz.

Homemade DIY alternatives are as numerous as crashes at Talladega, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of car detailing, with liquid car detailing solutions leading the pack. So is it possible to concoct homemade tire shine with a bunch of random ingredients you’ve got lying around the house? It’s not like you have to worry about a peeling clear coat or hard water spots when caring for tires. So why not get play “mad scientist,” and mix-up a potent shine of some sort?

Now before we get too “antsy in the pantsy” over talking tire shine, let’s get one thing straight: There’s a reason why the tire dressing business is so fucking profitable. For decades, the world’s wealthiest chemical companies have spent an asinine amount of cheddar on researching and testing tire shine products, just to guarantee that they work.

That being said, please don’t get all hot under the collar when your homemade tire shine solution isn’t lasting nearly as long, or bringing the thunder like a $1 billion dollar investment from 3M. You are here because your cheap ass is trying to make due with what you’ve got, and you’re curious to see if all those post-apocalyptic survival supplies you’ve been hording in your auntie’s garage will cut the kimchi.

Well fear not good citizen! The following three, relatively decent, super simple homemade tire shine recipes are here to make your quest for frugality a reality. While we’re at it, I guess we might as well address some of the common issues associated with homemade solutions of this caliber, and maybe even throw in a brief FAQ section, just for shits-and-giggles. Onwards!

 

3 of the Best Homemade DIY Tire Shine Solutions

While a lot of people have their own homemade tire shine recipe (tortoise saliva and turpentine anyone?), the following three oddball entries are generally accepted as the best, and safest solutions. However, just to err on the side of caution, we strongly suggest using protective gear such as nitrile gloves and eye protection when concocting an automotive “tincture” on one’s own. The last thing we want is for you to end up in the hospital because you just discovered that you are allergic to any combination of the following ingredients.

Tire Shine Option #1: Castor Oil & Alcohol

It may sound like a frilly Hipster highball, but when you combine castor oil and alcohol with a little auto shampoo and water, the natural shine of the rubber and synthetic materials contained within modern tire compounds really pops. Here is what you’ll need to make this oddball “cocktail.”

  • Castor Oil – 25 ml
  • Automotive Shampoo – 10 ml
  • Rubbing Alcohol – 75 ml
  • Water – 2 liters
  • Tire Brush for Scrubbing
  • Tire Applicator Pad or Microfiber Towel for Application

To whip-up this magical mixture, you’ll first blend the automotive shampoo and water to wash the tire. Use a tire brush to get into all of those little grooves and textured surfaces on the outer sidewall.

After scrubbing the rubber, use some rubbing alcohol to further clean the tire. The alcohol essentially acts as an extra step to further remove contaminants from the tire’s sidewall, and should be used sparingly, as it can dry out rubber rather quickly. A modest splash of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber towel or applicator pad will be all that is needed to wipe the entire tire clean.

Once the tire has dried, splash some castor oil on a different microfiber towel or applicator pad, and hit every square centimeter of the tire’s sidewall in a circular motion until a sheen can be seen from every angle.

Tire Shine Option #2: Baby Oil

Out of all of the products on today’s list of homemade tire shine formulas, baby oil has to be the cheapest and slipperiest. Not only does this slick mineral and aloe-based oil add insane amounts of shine to anything it touches, but the infusion of Vitamin E has caused it to become prized for its ability to nourish cracked and drying surfaces, and that includes automotive rubber.

Here is what you’ll need:

  • Baby Oil – 1 cup
  • Water – 1/2 cup
  • Automotive Shampoo – 3 drops
  • Tire Brush for Cleaning
  • Fresh Microfiber Towels

First, pour the 1/2 cup of water into a bucket, add the baby oil, and mix with three drops of automotive shampoo. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and shake it up. Spray the homemade tire shine directly onto the tire , as well as onto a clean microfiber towel. Once the tire is completely covered and slick-looking, allow the solution to sit for a minute or two before wiping it away with a separate microfiber cloth.

Tire Shine Option #3: Lemon Oil Have you sniffed your tire sidewalls lately? Yeah, neither have we. Perhaps we should try applying some lemon oil to our vehicle’s tires to both freshen-up their appearance and aroma.

While the smell of burning rubber may excite fans of drag racing, most people abhor this pungent automotive aroma. Try laying a citrusy smackdown on UV damage and cruddy contaminants with the dry-rot-reducing power of a lemon oil tire dressing solution. When blended properly, this concoction acts as both cleaner and conditioner.

  • Automotive Shampoo – 30 ml
  • Lemon Oil – 15 ml
  • Borax – 50 ml
  • Warm Water – 2 gallons
  • Tire Brush for Cleaning
  • Fresh Microfiber Towels

First, pour the automotive shampoo into a bucket and then add the water along with the Borax. Stir the concoction until fully mixed, adding the lemon oil last. Once fully blended, dip the brush in the solution and clean the tire, reapplying fresh amounts of solution as necessary. Rubber thoroughly scrubbed, break out a clean microfiber towel and conduct a final, dry wipe down.

A Few Other “Unique” Homemade Tire Shine Options

Naturally, there are a ton of other homemade tire shine options out there, most of which rely upon common household products. The issue, is that from a shiny tire’s viewpoint, most of these ingredients really aren’t all that great when it comes to durability and visual appeal. So take the attached video with a glob of grease, because the aforementioned DIY tire shine solutions are about as good as it gets.

Why It’s So Important to Protect Your TiresA shiny sidewall is way more than just a glossy appearance. It’s a protected rubber surface. A rubber surface that can spell the difference between arriving home safely, or losing complete control of the vehicle. Photo Credit: Discount Tire Direct/Facebook

In order to help you remember the core components of routine tire care, we suggest following the classic T.I.R.E. acronym, for it still rings true today. This will not only help keep those sidewalls looking spiffy, but potentially prolong the life of the tire compounds themselves, and therefore make your windshield time all the more safe.

“T” is for TIDY

The easiest way for someone to keep their tires in good shape, is to clean them regularly. Washing away tire contaminants like grime, brake dust, pollution, and road salt helps remove the risk of this crud embedding into the rubber.

By keeping your tires tidy, and routinely applying a protectant, contaminants and UV rays alike become far less of an issue, as both are the core cause behind premature cracking and blowouts.

“I” is for INSPECT The old “penny test” may be a proven method for testing tread depth, but on many tire compounds this means you have reached a dangerously low level of grip. The top of Lincoln’s head on the US penny measures about 2/32nd’s of an inch, which traditionally means it’s time to replace a tire. Don’t wait until your tires reach this level, because your traction at this point will likely border on being dangerous.

Automotive tires should undergo monthly maintenance checks, especially when routinely driven. This includes checking tire pressure levels, which should be done every other week, especially since these numbers fluctuate when there are dramatic changes in ambient air temperature.

Inspecting tires for cracks, bubbles, or odd wear patterns should also be a routine, with a monthly, or bi-monthly basis being the norm. This will not only help you keep an eye on the condition of the tire compounds themselves, but by detecting uneven or unusual treadwear patterns, you will shine a spotlight on any suspension alignment issues. There is also the issue of improper tire inflation, which can lead to premature wear and potential blowouts.

“R” is for REPLACE

Many car owners assume that if there is more than 2/32nd tread depth left on a tire, they’ll be totally fine. This is one of those outdated, shade-tree mechanic recommendations. By the time a tire’s tread pattern has worn this low, traction will have been reduced to a dangerously low point. Play it safe, and replace your tires when the rubber reaches Lincoln’s forehead on the US penny.

“E” is for EASY For those of you who are unfamiliar with tire lingo, this guide will help explain what all the numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tire means.

Having the right tires on your vehicle is just as crucial as routinely inspecting and maintaining them with a tire dressing cleaner. Keeping an adequate load weight, and not exceeding the tire’s maximum capacity is a core way to maintain tire integrity, as is ordering the appropriate tire size.

Overloading a vehicle, or specific areas of a vehicle (like the trunk or truck bed), puts a ton of strain on tires, as every tire compound on the planet comes pre-engineered to withstand a certain amount of pressure. So shop wisely, and know that any tires with the letters “XL” on their sidewall won’t be “extra large,” but strong enough to hold extra air, thus allowing them to carry “extra loads.”

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to check your spare tire every month. Nothing is worse than having a flat tire, and realizing that the doughnut is also low on air or damaged in some way.

Parting ShotsDry rotting tires or tire sidewall cracks are a commonplace, and often avoidable tire malady. If your tires look like this it is time to replace them ASAP.

While these homemade tire shine solutions are rather good at improving appearances and protecting sidewalls, extending longevity really boils down to protection, not enhancement. That is why the lemon oil shine option remains the preferred homemade method for accomplishing this vital step.

Just remember, automotive tire care is more than just applying a product or some homemade solution to a piece of rubber. In order to safely enjoy the joys of the open road, one must first inspect and then protect their tires. This rubberized consumable product is the only part of the vehicle that comes into contact with the ground. So take good care of these rolling pieces of rubber, and they will take care of you…

How to Make Homemade Tire Shine

Priscilla February 23, 2020 Tips Leave a comment 2,918 Views

No one likes a dull tire, but do you know that shine tire doesn’t cost if you use the right formulation? You can prepare a homemade tire solution without spending a penny.

You have finally been able to lay your hands on that gleaming car you’ve always wanted. It’s yours now. But it’s just a few miles that give your tires a very shabby look. It’s such an eyesore! Suddenly your new car seems to have lost much of its appeal. Those admiring glances from your neighbors and passersby are gone too.

Our instructions will help you shine your tires like a true professional. You can use stuff easily available in your house that’ll help you save a lot of money. We are here to get your tires shining again using only a few ingredients readily available in your house to prepare a perfect homemade tire shine. What’s more, you can have them in no time at all. Before you get started, here’s a word of caution. Make sure that you protect yourself with nitrile gloves and do use protection for your eyes before you blend the ingredients.

So, today, we are going to show you how to prepare a homemade tire shine at your home only with these simple tips.

How to prepare Homemade Car Tire Shine

1) Use Baby Oil

This is an effective yet cheap homemade tire shine ingredient. Your car tire is pampered like a baby when you wash it with baby oil. We say pamper as baby oil has no harmful chemicals and is made from natural ingredients. It’s really great for shining your tires, just perfect for your gleaming new car.

You Shall Need

  • One cup of baby oil
  • Half a cup water
  • 2 to 3 drops of dish soap
  • Towels that are clean

The Method

  • Add a cup of oil and three drops of dish soap in a jar. Pour half a cup of water into it
  • Mix them well by stirring hard
  • Shake up the mixture after you’ve poured it into a spray bottle
  • Clean the tire with a clean towel after you’ve sprayed some of the mixture on it and the tire

This mixture is just great if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to clean your tires. It’s the perfect homemade tire shine for you! What’s more, it lasts for a few months too! That gives you the chance to clean your tires every week making them look brand new for years.

2) Castor Oil and Alcohol Homemade Tire Shine

Disgusting as it may taste, Castor oil makes for a really good homemade tire shine when mixed with alcohol. It’s really effective when it comes to shining your tires.

You Shall Need

  • 100 milliliters of Castor oil
  • 30 milliliters of dish soap
  • 300 milliliters of rubbing alcohol
  • 2 gallons of water

The Method

  • Wash the tire with water first
  • Follow that up by washing the tire with the alcohol. So, you wash the tire with alcohol after you’ve already washed it with water
  • Mix warm water and dish soap. Clean the tire again
  • Apply alcohol on the tire with a clean towel
  • Clean the tire in circular motions with Castor oil using a new towel

3) Homemade Tire Shine Made of Lemon Oil

We advise you to use a homemade tire shine more like a rubber conditioner. This will protect it from the wear and tear and dry rotting caused by the sun’s UV rays and other contaminants. Lemon Oil is the right ingredient for this kind of tire shine, a rubber conditioner. It also acts as a tire wax and protects the sidewall of the tires.

You Shall Need

  • 30 milliliters of dish soap
  • 15 milliliters of Lemon oil
  • 50 milliliters of Borax
  • 2 gallons of water
  • Brush

The Method

  • Add the borax and water into some dish soap in a bucket. After a bit of stirring, add some lemon oil and stir further
  • Clean the tire with the mixture using a brush
  • Dry the tire after dipping it in the mixture and then wringing it

Read also: Safety driving tips for truck driver

4) Homemade Tire Shine with Dawn Dish Detergent

This is yet another great recipe for squeaky clean tires. Not only does it make the tires shine, it extends their life too. It also helps protect them from UV rays.

Things you will need

  • Dawn Dish Detergent
  • Rubbing Alcohol in a Spray Bottle
  • A Strong Hand Brush
  • Warm Water
  • Lint-free cloth

The Method

  • Add a few drops of Dawn Dish Detergent powder to a bucket of warm water
  • Scrub the solution on the tires with a tough scrub and soap the tires well
  • Allow it to sit for around 3-5 minutes
  • Rinse the tires well
  • To remove any residual dust or dirt, spray the tires with rubbing alcohol
  • Spray each section of the tire separately and wipe them with the lint-free cloth as you proceed
  • Let the tires dry completely
  • Finally, apply castor oil to the tire lightly with a clean lint-free cloth

While these are the best tire shine formulation being inexpensive and efficient at the same time, we have some other ingredients too that are good for shining your tire.

  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Cooking spray
  • Lemon juice
  • Motor oil
  • Vegetable oil

You are sure to have a great shine on your tire, just right for your new car when you apply these on your car tires and leave them for a little while.

Things to Remember While using Tire Shine Solution

  • Make sure that you clean the tires with our homemade tire shines formula after you’ve given them a good wash.
  • While all the recipes include oil, we should still remind you that oil degrades rubber.
  • That’s why you’ve got to wipe off the oil with a microfiber towel as soon as possible. Make sure that you’ve removed the threads if any.
  • You should always read the tiring manual thoroughly that may contain details of ingredients that may harm the tires if they are washed with them.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your car tires gives them a longer life. The tires are more dependable too and have a better grip. The tire shines not only clean your tires, but they also don’t let them degrade. That helps keep your car tires in good shape much longer. Remember, the intention is not just to make the tires look great; they should also be protected for longer life. It’s Lemon Oil that best helps protect your car tires. We hope you find our article on how to make homemade tire shine useful. We feel they are just right for the clean tires that your gleaming new car will look great with. Do share your feedback with us. Goodbye for now!

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Plex Blackit

in Articles 07/11/2018

Blackening rubber in itself will not be cheap for the car owner. The device itself is also expensive. But this Plex® Blackit Rubber Blackener will help you save most of the money you set aside specifically for this purchase.
Plex® Blackit keeps the color of your tires vibrant. After treating them with this agent, your tires will look like a jet black agent. It's like they were just made. The fact is that with long-term use, trips in snow and rain, especially in winter, when roads are sprinkled with anti-icing additives, rubber tends to lose its original appearance. It remains the same strong, does not lose its operational properties, but the appearance suffers greatly. Rough roads, salts and various chemicals gradually do their ignoble deed, turning it into a gray-haired tire worn over the years.
Car owners often buy new tires when the old ones are ready to serve them for a long time, but their appearance is worn out. In order not to waste money, today it is possible to blacken rubber at home. Plex® Blackit will help you do this without spending a lot of work and extra money.
In addition to the original appearance, this tool will improve the protective properties of rubber. It forms a silicone film that will prevent dust from entering hard-to-reach places and prevent cracking of the rubber.
Tires can be blackened every day. But basically, this type of car tire improvement is used before some kind of celebration or wedding. It is recommended not to do this once a year or every day. Best of all, when you see that your tires are becoming dull in color, becoming worn, but their qualities and properties have not yet been used up, apply blackening.
It is also recommended to blacken the tires before you store them. That's what they do with seasonal tires. Since modern rubber is prone to cracking under normal conditions.
Blackening of tires can be carried out by the car owner himself after washing the car. This is done both at self-service car washes and at home. The main thing is not to damage the tires. The black gloss of this tool will improve the color of the tires. It will prevent them from drying out, cracking, discoloration. Thanks to Plex® Blackit, rubber acquires a lasting color, dirt and dust are removed, and a protective film is formed. Now you will no longer have to worry about the tires looking like old ones. The product prevents dust and dirt from settling on the rubber.
And water and dirt now run off the surface due to the hydrophobic properties of the drug. The product is applied to the tires quite easily and simply. It is necessary to take a spray can and spray them on the surface. Then you need to wait until the drug dries. There is no need to wipe the rubber after applying the blackening agent.
In addition to rubber on wheels, this product can also rub the plastic inside the cabin. It is not recommended to use shoe polish as a means for blackening. Because it causes the rubber to dry out. Only Plex® Blackit will help you deal with this problem.
Before blackening it is necessary to clean the rubber. Tires are cleaned with a brush. First you need to blow out the tires from dust and dirt. Then, together with the car, if necessary, wash them with car shampoo. After washing is completed, it will be necessary to dry the tires. When the tires are dried and prepared for blackening, you need to take a can and spray the product on the surface. It is not necessary to wipe them immediately, and it is also not recommended to wipe them afterwards. Allow the product to dry.
After an hour has passed after the blackening procedure, the tires are ready for use again. Here are some simple recommendations for blackening tires, which can be done at home.
It is recommended to blacken tires not only at home, but also at self-service car washes. This method does not require any special skills from you. All of the above will need to be repeated at a self-service car wash. The only difference is that at the car wash your car will be on a special bridgehead out of sand and dust. And this means that you can better clean the wheels of your vehicle from dirt and dust and the dust will not get on your rubber again.
At self-service car washes, you will be protected from wind and other conditions that can cause things to go wrong and force you to redo everything. Moreover, here you will pay a much lower price than if you give your car into the hands of those who specialize in this business. At such a sink, you will do everything yourself and, accordingly, you will also manage the process. It all depends on you - how well you cover the rubber with the product.
Plex® Blackit is available in two varieties. There is a matte finish and a gloss finish. Shiny ones use more silicone. After you apply this product to the rubber, it will shine. In addition, the silicone coating will protect your tires from cracking and sticking to dust and dirt.
Matte products are used to cover not only tires, but also those parts of the car where plastic is used. After coating with this agent, plastic and rubber acquire a dark black color. The only drawback of the matte finish is contact with water. If it happens, then the appearance will again acquire the same color as it was before - before blackening. Not recommended for use in cities with high rainfall.
It is recommended to blacken rubber at temperatures from fifteen degrees Celsius plus to twenty-five. Under other conditions, all your labors will be in vain. Yes, you can achieve black and the tires will look like new, but you will not last long.
Do not spray the wheels as soon as you arrive at the car wash or in your garage at home. Since the tires will still be hot, the agent may simply evaporate. Especially during the hot season. Therefore, it is recommended to first cool the car and wash it together with the wheels. After washing and drying the car, you can start blackening.
Be sure to read the instructions for use before applying the product. Only in this way you will avoid many controversial points. Do not rely on "maybe", it is better to do everything slowly, but correctly. Than to redo it again. Remember that this tool can not only give your wheels beauty, but also protect them from dirt and destruction. That is, it automatically extends the life of the tires.
Using Plex® Blackit tire blackening agent, you save your budget from unnecessary costs. One bottle of spray is enough for several treatments. And that means you saved money for the whole year. This blackening agent will never let you down, as it has been tested and manufactured in accordance with GOST.
Blackening rubber is easy with Plex® Blackit. At the sink, you will have to pay a pretty amount, and it is still not known how correctly they will blacken the rubber. Therefore, it is best to use this tool with your own hands at self-service car washes, or at home.
Plex® Blackit will help you update your look if you are going to sell your vehicle or are going to a celebration or wedding.

07/11/2018

Tire blackening - 6 ways to polish your tires. Inexpensive! -Journal of

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We checked common folk remedies for tire blackening and found out that not all can be recommended for use.

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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.

Gutalin

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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.

To be honest, 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.

Glycerin

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 compound.

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.

Silicone oil

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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.

The effect after treatment with silicone oil is long-lasting and the tires look blacker than new. Silicone oil is also treated with door seals and trunk lids so that they do not freeze.

Laundry soap

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.

Other methods

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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.


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