Tire Cleaning Questions

[akimel]

A couple of questions for the brethren:

1) I typically use water-based tire dressings. I prefer the low-gloss look on the tires of my S2000. If I plan on dressing the tires, I always wash and brush them with APC. But what should I do if I am not planning to dress my tires?

Here's the scenario: I washed my car and dressed the tires last week and now plan to wash it again tomorrow. The tires are still holding up okay, so I think I'll skip the tire dressing. I will, however, wash the wheels, probably with ordinary car wash solution--no point in letting the brake dust build up. So should I brush down the tires with car wash solution, or perhaps plain water, or just not touch them at all? Of course, there's no way to avoid getting water on the tires, so that in itself will impact the water-based dressing on the tires. Would your recommendation be different if my tires were dressed in ASD?

2) I have read on one forum the claim that the use of APC and other tire cleaners will "dry" out the tires by the removal of essential oils. Is this true?

Thanks.

Al

[Murr1525]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I APC my tires every time. Granted I dont wash every week. No problems so far.

[Tuck91]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I would just brush the tire down with soap and water then re apply your choice of dressing, the tire has to be at least a little dirty and could probably use a cleaning.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I wash about twice a week and clean the tires with an APC once every other week. I always dress the tires afterwards though and I have not seen any problems. Otherwise, I just use the car wash soap.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I just use a boars hair brush and the car wash shampoo at the end of my wash if the wheels/rims aren't bad.

[fzr confused]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

i dont know what kind of rims you have, but i wash my mustang 2-3 times a week and i normally only dress the tires weekly (really not a fan of really glossy tires). if i dont wash the rims/tires i will just wipe the rims down with UQD and that seems to work for me.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I would follow Nick's advice. I also can't say I dress tires every time. But I do give them a quick bath.

[ziggo99]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

I just don't touch my tires if I feel the dressing is still holding up fine. Then I got about 3-4 applications before I get out the tire brush.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

You are going to notice that if you are using ASD as opposed to HD, it will definitely be more resilient to water. Since you like using HD, I would suggest to stick using HD.

My suggestion is to go ahead and wash the wheel with your soap and water (or whatever else you use to clean the wheel) Yes you will get some water and overspray on the tire from washing the wheel, but that is fine. Just have a dirty towel that you spray a few spritzes of HD on and wipe the tire down afterward. This will not only dry the tire, but it will take off any surface dirt, and keep the tire looking dressed.

It seems like I am suggesting to re-dress the tire, and I kinda am in a way, but it is more of just a very quick wipe of the tire with your rag/HD. I think that may be a good method that will save some time in these washes.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Tire Cleaning Questions

^ great tip Andrew.