What's the best tyre/tire treatment?

[BMK]

My wife Anne just had her car serviced and detailed.



When we were picking it up, the detailer was applying/brushing the tyres/tire of another car with a thin black solution that looked like dirty oil.

What is this? The tyres/tires looked great and the shine was like new.

Now I have spent a few dollars on spray cans and brush on tyre dressings but none looked as good as this.



Is this a trade secret? Any suggestions. I asked what it was and he said it was a trade product.

Has anyone found a suitable tyre/tire dressing that does not fly off when wet and cover the body with black?

Cheers

Bernie

[Cameron Parsons]

Bernie,

I have used Armour All for years with great success. First time you use it it's a little greasy, just buff up the tyres (I will avoid the alternate spelling), they shine like new, and just need a wipe over with no additional application for months.

But I must say, If you're up to the 'what can I do to make the tyres look better' stage, that car must be amazing

Best

Cameron

[BMK]

Cameron

Thanks for the 'Amour All' suggestion. Are you using a spray on tyre product or just a basic spray bottle of 'Amour All'?

Sorry used the tire spelling for our US friends in case any were scanning.



You know, when the car goes into the paint shop boredom sets in and you find yourself detailing all types of things. Anne's car, the work van etc etc



Have started re making brakets from the engine bay in aluminium (Aussie spelling) and will get them polished.

The seats have gone in for a re - trim also.

I think I 'Posted' that I have travelled over 16,000k
(10,000 miles) in the Cobra since last November. So it was time to paint and finish it off.

This car is the first I have ever built that has hit the road prior to being 100% finished.



My gallery pictures don't do justice to how rough it is..

Anyway back to detailing.

Thanks again

Bernie

[HowardV]

A fireman once told me they use transmission oil to shine up the tires on their fire trucks! He swore by it. I've never tried it myself. I just use the Meguires "Endurance". It does the job.

Howard

[Cameron Parsons]

Bernie,

I just use the everyday vanilla Armour All. As for the spelling, I lived there for nearly 5 years, half the time time I can't remember which spelling I should be using

The car looks great, nice job on the Aluminium. Where did you get the vintage stickers? Are they statics, or permanent?

Regards

Cameron

[BMK]

Cameron

Thanks, I may just use the 'Amour All' or other brand product as it sounds easier and cleaner to apply and store.

Howard V - Yes it may have been a similiar mix. They did brush it out of a bucket.



The site www.finishline.com have the stickers. I think they were about $62 US dollars plus post. They also do the white gumballs.

I had no problem with sending the card details and getting them in. Enzio or Paula look after you there.

All are static cling. You just apply using "Windex" or similiar and roll out the bubbles. They really hang on. Have had the Cobra up to 190 and they stayed put.

Take them off and store them on the glass window in the garage until you need them.

Thanks again for the input.

HowardV - if you are still checking this site out?

Did you get the SPF from Costa Mesa? I met Dennis and Lance there last year and they took me over to show me the Daytona Coupe nearby. About 3 miles from the Fischer St. factory.

I think there were about 12 Cobras in the shop when I visited.

Have since heard that the Cal. Governement smog 100 legislation maybe giving a few SPF owners anxiety there.



Is this a worry to you and the guys there at Hillbank Costa Mesa.

Talk soon. Thanks again

Bernie

Cheers

Bernie

[boxhead]

Hey there Bernie, I know some detailers who use a mix of 1/3 new engine oil and 2/3 metholated spirits, squirt it on and rub it in.
I havent tried it so maybe a good idea to try on some old tyres first.

[BMK]

Boxhead

Thanks will try it on the little MCVAN tyres first.

I did pick up some Amour All today and have tried it on Anne's car and it looks good. It will be interesting to see if it sprays up the body if it gets wet.



The engine oil and transmission oil suggestions make sense as they would have a softening effect.

Thanks

Cheers

Bernie

[Cameron Parsons]

After applying the Armour All, buff it off....

Should not spray or spread.

As for the other formulae... I might get a bit nervous if I were to put serious speed on a tyre with a softener... Just call me chicken

Cameron

[Tony Cram]

Bernie,

Been through this with lots of companies (eg Holden and B Jane T marts) they use a silicon based product in various base liquids.

Try "Eagle One Tyre Shine" in either the pump spray or the gel bottle. This is a viscous silicone based product. When using the gel bottle buy the curved foam applicators they are great for application to the tyres (less mess). You do need remove excess but the applicator is great for this.

Other products to try - "Silicon 808 lubricant" and "CRC - So Easy". With the "So Easy" you do need to let this dry but is a very good product. I would say the "Eagle One" product is the best I have used.

Good luck.

TC

[SnakeBitt]

Personally, I've never been a fan of real "shiney" tyres/tires. I was glad when ArmorAll came out with the "low gloss", but it definately doesn't seem to last as long as the higher gloss product. I tried a product called Black Magic the other day. Comes in a neat little container that distributes individual wipes that you pull out of the top of the container. Worked great, easy to use, no mess from "overspray"........but it does leave a little "fuzz" (white naps from the wipes falling apart during use) that I had to wipe off after applying. The best stuff I've used is either Griot's Garage tire shine, or Meguiars Gold Class Vinyl / Rubber protectant. Both products clean / protect, and look great, without being too shiney.
I can tell you what NOT to use on cleaning your rims though!!!!! I bought some stuff called Orange BLAST from Greased Lightning. It left streaks / stains on my Trigo's that I'm still trying to get off 3 months later! (and no, I didn't let it dry). Lucky for me I only did 2 rims and noticed the problem. I'm still fighting with the company about what their product did to my rims. BEWARE.........this stuff will ruin your chrome, alum, or SS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BMK]

TC

Will give it a try. Does not matter if I have a few bottles of different stuff around.

I will just take it down to work and the guys there can shine the rubber wheels on the kitchen equipment.

I'm just in the process of pulling brackets etc. off the engine and the alternator for polishing. Will try and get the brackets aluminium anodised.

You can see I am bored. Anne is looking for things for me to do.



Cheers and thanks again

Bernie

The one with the killer shine on the tyres!!