Extra gray tires

[Skuz]

After 2 endless weeks of rain, we finally had a sunny day in northeastern Canada, so it was car washing time.

I always start by cleaning the tires, but to my dismay I discovered I had run out of tire cleaner and forgot to take a note to buy some. Being sure I kept some bottle of another tire cleaner I once tried but didn't like, I looked through my stuff but couldn't find it.

I then found a bottle of Meguiar's Extra. It says on the bottle that it can clean rubber, so I thought why not use it this time as I have nothing else ?

Sprayed on the tire, scrubbed with a brush as I always do and rinsed. Tires looked good and clean so I proceeded to wash the rest of the car as usual.

During the time I was washing, the tires self dried. When I started drying the car I noticed my tires were getting various shades of gray.

I easily fixed that at the end with some Endurance, but what happened to the tires ? Was Extra too strong and somehow overdried a small layer of rubber ? Was it Extra residue that dried on the tire ?

I never experienced that with my usual tire cleaner (must buy some SOON).

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Extra gray tires

How old are the tires?

Sounds like from the appearance the Extra got them very clean and the rubber could be drying out?

[Skuz]

Re: Extra gray tires

I thought nobody had any idea. Tires were made in early 2008.

[christian6984]

Re: Extra gray tires

i had a problem with my tyres turning brown last year... did it look any thing like this


the best solution was APC (with a small amount of fairy washing up liquid to help it cling on) leave it for a min or two then re-spray and aggitate with a brush, it took 2-3 attempts but it worked.

No Tyre Dressing - Afters

[Black Bart]

Re: Extra gray tires

YEP some dawn mixed with APC and scrub with a stiff brush rinse good and when dry apply your favorite tire dressing..

[Blr123]

Re: Extra gray tires

I used to use the Endurance that was a milky colour but here in the UK that has been discontinued and replaced with the Endurance that is a thick purple gel which I do not like at all........I now use Megs Hot Tyre Shine and find that to be even better than the Endurance that I really liked.

As for cleaning I use APC cut at 4-1 through a foaming spray head which allows the product to dwell better and longer than the normal spray head, I then scub with a dedicated brush I use only for tyres.

Bryan

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Extra gray tires

I thought nobody had any idea. Tires were made in early 2008.

Normally tires are black, they turn brown due to blooming. If the blooming is cleaned off but no dressing is applied, then instead of being a rich black the rubber will tend to dull down and this is likely the gray you are seeing.

Could be too strong of a cleaner for how dirty your tires were.


"Find something you like and use it often"


Pick up some more of the tire cleaner you like...