Brown Tires Making You Frown?
This month we are talking about tire care. Part of basic auto upkeep includes giving your tires regular TLC. This is assuming you’ve already gotten your rim repair or wheel color coat done here at Phoenix Rim Repair. Once you have spiffy wheels, the next area of focus will have to be your tires.
Having old, ratty, brown, or dirty tires definitely takes away from the overall look of your vehicle. Not only that, but it is smart to keep tires free of debris and regularly examined so you can ensure an optimal tire life and safety on the road. Be sure your ride is equipped with the right tires and inspected often for wear throughout the year.
If your tires have an unsightly brown glow to them, that is likely due to the antiozonant in the rubber surfacing over time. This is called “tire bloom”. Antiozonant is a chemical added to tire rubber to help preserve the tire surface and integrity. Once this element meets the ozone in the air, the oxidation then turns it brown. Luckily, this process can be improved by regular cleaning, conditioning and tire protectant, as explained below.
Tire Cleaner
Tire cleaning doesn’t have to require any special products. A simple do it yourself “DIY” method will suffice. First spray down the tires with a strong garden hose. Next, add one teaspoon of dish soap per gallon of warm water. Apply the solution with a rag or spray bottle to saturate and let the soap do its job. Let set for a few minutes before rinsing and then dry with a towel or cloth.
Tire Conditioner
After a good cleaning, it is beneficial to use a tire conditioner you trust. A tire conditioner is a deep penetrating, and hydrating solution which is often formulated with UV inhibitors, it protects your tires from future sun damage as well.
Tire Protectant
A good tire protectant keeps tires looking newer, longer. There are all-in-one protectant products for any parts of your vehicle that include rubber, finished leather, plastic, vinyl, PVC, gel coat & fiberglass surfaces. A good tire protectant offers a decent defense against fading and cracks over time with regular use. And to give your tires a quick gleam between deep cleans, you can make an easy DIY tire-shine solution yourself.
Don’t Ignore Tread
Lastly, during all this tire lovin’, it is important to monitor your tire’s tread when you are in the process of cleaning. A tire tread study done by Consumer Reports found that common tires can last as many as 70k miles before needing to be replaced. This is not to say that there aren’t exceptions to this – if you race your vehicle or typically drive on rough terrain or off-road – tires will endure much more wear and tear. Keep in mind that tires can vary in lifespan depending on the quality and how or what you drive on, so be sure to check the tread regularly.
Check out our post on how to care for your wheels.
We recommend this tire TLC 1-2 times a month, or even once a week if possible, for best results. Just as not all drivers are the same, not all tires are the same, so results may vary. If you want healthy long-lasting tires with less “blooming”, a commitment to regular tire care will help a lot more than you might think.
PS. The current pandemic and less vehicle use means it is a great time to drop your car off for a wheel color coat, wheel repair or refinishing. What are you waiting for? Fill out our quick quote form and leave the rest to us. We are the best in Phoenix – click here to see why.
Having old, ratty, brown, or dirty tires definitely takes away from the overall look of your vehicle. Not only that, but it is smart to keep tires free of debris and regularly examined so you can ensure an optimal tire life and safety on the road. Be sure your ride is equipped with the right tires and inspected often for wear throughout the year.
If your tires have an unsightly brown glow to them, that is likely due to the antiozonant in the rubber surfacing over time. This is called “tire bloom”. Antiozonant is a chemical added to tire rubber to help preserve the tire surface and integrity. Once this element meets the ozone in the air, the oxidation then turns it brown. Luckily, this process can be improved by regular cleaning, conditioning and tire protectant, as explained below.
Tire Cleaner
Tire cleaning doesn’t have to require any special products. A simple do it yourself “DIY” method will suffice. First spray down the tires with a strong garden hose. Next, add one teaspoon of dish soap per gallon of warm water. Apply the solution with a rag or spray bottle to saturate and let the soap do its job. Let set for a few minutes before rinsing and then dry with a towel or cloth.
Tire Conditioner
After a good cleaning, it is beneficial to use a tire conditioner you trust. A tire conditioner is a deep penetrating, and hydrating solution which is often formulated with UV inhibitors, it protects your tires from future sun damage as well.
Tire Protectant
A good tire protectant keeps tires looking newer, longer. There are all-in-one protectant products for any parts of your vehicle that include rubber, finished leather, plastic, vinyl, PVC, gel coat & fiberglass surfaces. A good tire protectant offers a decent defense against fading and cracks over time with regular use. And to give your tires a quick gleam between deep cleans, you can make an easy DIY tire-shine solution yourself.
Don’t Ignore Tread
Lastly, during all this tire lovin’, it is important to monitor your tire’s tread when you are in the process of cleaning. A tire tread study done by Consumer Reports found that common tires can last as many as 70k miles before needing to be replaced. This is not to say that there aren’t exceptions to this – if you race your vehicle or typically drive on rough terrain or off-road – tires will endure much more wear and tear. Keep in mind that tires can vary in lifespan depending on the quality and how or what you drive on, so be sure to check the tread regularly.
Check out our post on how to care for your wheels.
We recommend this tire TLC 1-2 times a month, or even once a week if possible, for best results. Just as not all drivers are the same, not all tires are the same, so results may vary. If you want healthy long-lasting tires with less “blooming”, a commitment to regular tire care will help a lot more than you might think.
PS. The current pandemic and less vehicle use means it is a great time to drop your car off for a wheel color coat, wheel repair or refinishing. What are you waiting for? Fill out our quick quote form and leave the rest to us. We are the best in Phoenix – click here to see why.
Photo Credit: Tim Meyer
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