How I shine my tires

4708 Views 31 Replies 25 Participants Last post by ccvair, Mar 28, 2012

bandag

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2012

I don't use armorall or any of the tire products on the market, I run a tire shop and have seen what that stuff does to the tires on cars whose owner washes his car every weekend and piles the tire shine on. In time the tire will have fine cracks on the sidewall and a greenish (mold) color to it from so much build up of the product.

Back in the day there was no armorall, I was told by an old timer to just soak a clean rag with brake fluid and rub it on, it looks great and lasts and it is meant for rubber products. Look how long your rubber brake parts last and they are immersed in brake fluid 24/7. Try it sometimes, just don't glob it on, be reasonable and rub it in well. :thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

onecarnut

· #2 · Feb 27, 2012

Wouldn't brake fluid cause a lot of dust to stick on the tires?

I am going to send you a PM about a Nova that I bought in PA. Hope you can help me out.

Lou in Arkansas

shinyside

· #3 · Feb 27, 2012

I'm down for anything to avoid armorall

uke:

But I have 2 concerns..

1.) I know brake fluis is horrible for certain surfaces...I assume it doesn't affect rubber

2.) Wouldn't constant coats of brake fluid build up eventually like armorall?

I'm interested...but if I never asked...I'd never know

-Matt

KDee

· #4 · Feb 27, 2012

Grease Lightning, scrub with car wash sponge, rinse, let dry. No shine, just clean, black and look'n new again.

bandag

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 27, 2012

Tire Shine

I only do a full detail on my cars once a month, don't have the time to do them every week like some guys, and some weeks they are not even dirty, so I only applied the brake fluid once a month with no problems. Like I said, don't glob it on, be reasonable and spread it out and work it in. Remember, your wheel cylinders and master cylinder have rubber parts in them and they last for years soaked in brake fluid 24/7. This is just how I do it, I didn't say it was for everybody, try it once or twice, if you don't like it go back to the armorall goop.

onecarnut

· #6 · Feb 27, 2012

I know brake fluid will really tear up paint.

65novaken

· #7 · Feb 27, 2012

onecarnut said:
i know brake fluid will really tear up paint.

^^^yes^^^^

Tommy

· #8 · Feb 27, 2012

Brake fluid near my cracked and weathered paint and 40 year old worn out chrome wheels sounds a little dangerous

:turn:.

Tommy

David&Melissa_h

· #9 · Feb 27, 2012

NO NO NO NO NO NO WAY will brake fluid get anywhere near my cars paint.:no::no::no::no::no: I wont even have fluid soaked rags in the garage.

I don't mean to sound bad but this has to be one of the worst ever tips I ever heard of.

:yes:

ProNova

· #10 · Feb 27, 2012

David_H said:
NO NO NO NO NO NO WAY will brake fluid get anywhere near my cars paint.:no::no::no::no::no: I wont even have fluid soaked rags in the garage.

I don't mean to sound bad but this has to be one of the worst ever tips I ever heard of.:yes:

Yea looks like you did use it before and it ate the POST right off your car, Scarey

ProNova

· #11 · Feb 27, 2012

Look if you want that shiney look just wipe Joy dish washing liquid on the tires

67rsss6spd

· #12 · Feb 27, 2012

Bt time I have any on this (fine cracks on the sidewall and a greenish (mold) color) I need new tires.
The brake fluid sounds like a bad idea.

sudden_impulse

· #13 · Feb 27, 2012

Tire shine is fine to use as long as you use a cleaner and get rid of the old stuff before putting new stuff on. At work (I work at a detailing shop part time and college full time) we use Car Brite non-acid wheel cleaner and a stiff bristle brush, then just pressure wash it off.

1969L78Nova

· #14 · Feb 27, 2012

I use Zaino Z-16 or 303 Aerospace...Neither has silicone and both have a semi gloss finish. The 303 is especially good on vinyl roofs.:yes:

sYcNova

· #15 · Feb 27, 2012

David_H said:
NO NO NO NO NO NO WAY will brake fluid get anywhere near my cars paint.:no::no::no::no::no: I wont even have fluid soaked rags in the garage.

I don't mean to sound bad but this has to be one of the worst ever tips I ever heard of.:yes:

I totally agree. PASS.

Just using a scrub brush that isn't too stiff when washing will clean your tires like new. Tires weren't meant to be shiny, just clean.

bandag

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 27, 2012

You guys are funny! You sound like brake fluid is the same as battery acid! lol! I'm old school and I am careful with it, you have to respect it. never had any problem, on the other hand it is good at removing paint if I have a need to do that on a small area. This is just a column for opinions and ideas, we all can express our own. next subject........

mrtimstik

· #17 · Feb 28, 2012

Griots Garage tire shine and undercarriage spray on my DD makes my 17 year old DD look showroom perfect.

novaBRO

· #18 · Feb 28, 2012

I prefer no shine at all:no: just nice clean black tires:yes: i use Westley's Bleach White

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63ssvert

· #19 · Feb 28, 2012

Indian Head Rubber Preservative

jambb

· #20 · Feb 28, 2012

Have you seen what brake fluid does to paint no thanks

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

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