Anyone recommend a good tire sidewall product to dress up and maintain that nice black/wet look? I've used both Armor-All and Turtle Wax's 2001, and while they're fine for the interior finishes, neither seems to stay on the tires too long, especially when driving through rain.

 

Thanks for any opinions.

I love Stoner products they make a great tire product call more shine less time and a great window cleaner. I get mine at pep boys or advanced auto .Don't use armour all at all throw it away . I found out that it dries out the vinyl , plastic and rubber products . I use Vinylex protectant it is great I use it on all my interior and exterior plastics and all the rubber window seals . Hope this helps .

 

Mike

I'd be wary of any "wet look" product that lasts through rain... that would mean it's oil-based, which makes me nervous about its effect on your tires' grip.

Thanks for the info guys. Just so many products on the shelfs in the autoparts store I wasn't sure what I should be considering. Mike, I'll certainly look for the Stoner products - thanks again.

 

 

Paul

Don't use armour all at all throw it away.

Mike

I second that opinion about Armorall. I have found it to damage some of my vinyl and rubber items in the past.

 

I found something used heavily in the marine industry called Aerospace 303 Protectant. I've found that most things that can handle the marine environment of sun wind and salt are usually pretty good. In addition to being safely non-petroleum based, Aerospace 303 Protectant also includes a UV protector. It can be hard to find, but most marine supply stores carry it. I've also found it at Pool & Spa supply houses since many of them recommend it for the vinyl on and around spas. And, of course, you can always find it online.

Buy a better tyre. Don't polish, wax, or shine the tyre sidewall. If you must, stay FAR away from the tyre shoulder, you would be surprised how much of the tyre actually gets used during cornering - especially in an emergency.

Buy a better tyre. Don't polish, wax, or shine the tyre sidewall. If you must, stay FAR away from the tyre shoulder, you would be surprised how much of the tyre actually gets used during cornering - especially in an emergency.

The Bridgestone Potenza's that came on my 05 OBW XT look awful if left alone. Plain washing doesn't help. The tire's performance seems pretty good on both dry and wet roads however - better than the Michelins that were original on my 96 OBW. So, I'm not quite ready to replace them just yet.

 

Yes, I can understand getting some dressing on the shoulders of the tire could affect corning.

 

I'm still looking at product options.

Buy a better tyre. Don't polish, wax, or shine the tyre sidewall. If you must, stay FAR away from the tyre shoulder, you would be surprised how much of the tyre actually gets used during cornering - especially in an emergency.

I live on a dirt road, and it's amazing how far up the sidewall the dirt gets from the tire flexing during driving.

Odd, my RE720 Potenza's keep their colour well.

A lot of how much of the sidewall gets used depends on a couple things:

 

1. How low the profile of the tire is

2. How much running tire pressure is present.

 

I have 235/40-18s on my car, and at around 38psi the sidewalls don't flex enough to be used in cornering. . . even in autocross.

 

For the shine, I use Meguire's gel . . . it goes on clean with an applicator (none on treads) and stays on through a few washings or a couple weeks of intermittent showers. From what I've gathered, it's one of the safer ones to use, too.

 

Hell, I go through tires fast enough as it is, though. . . worrying about sidewall welfare isn't something I trouble myself with. . . .more like treadwear from the mileage I rack-up and the abuse I dish-out at the track every few weeks.

Hmm, my 195/60R15 on 6.5 inch wide rims, with 35psi still rubbed the shoulder Tuesday at a track driving course. So, yes the profile make a BIG difference.

Well, I got the Stoner More Shine Less Time, so far so good.

Made a big difference in the appearance of the tires. We'll see how it holds up over time. I couldn't find the McGuire's Gel mentioned in a previous post but the sales people at Checker Auto also recommend another product, which now I can't remember the name - will post it later. It had a small spray bottle and the packaging included 2 sponge like applicators, curved to match the tire. It was only $2.99 and I bought it primarily for the applicators which I used with the Stoner's product. But I may try it on the next application to compare it with the Stoner Product.

I use the purple meguires, it smells like grapes and rocks. So long as you stay away from your tread, and hit your tires with a degreaser(dish soap, car wash, or windex) before a track day, you should be fine.

 

I actually like autocrossing with tire gel on, keeps me on my toes.

Yeah I use the purple meguires stuff too, mostly because it came in a Kit that I got for christmas.

 

I like it because it doesnt make the tire uber-shiny, unless you put on a second coat.

I use 303 Protectorant on my sidewall as well as the dash, door gaskets and other vinyl & rubber trim. It's more like sunscreen it prevent fading and brittleness, and on the tires it has a sheen but not that slick look of armor all.

 

Take look at their website: http://www.303products.com/main.php they'll send you a free sample package of their products.

Thanks for the link p3pppx. I look forward to receiving and trying the free sample. For the tires, l'm quite happy with how the More Shine Less Time went on and is holding up.

 

BTW, the other product that I mentioned earlier but couldn't remember the name just then, the one with the neat litte curved sponge applicators was a product called Eagle One.