Brown Tires

[The Critic]

First off, I fully recognize that “brown” tires are a normal condition that does not need to be resolved.

These tires were installed two months ago. This “browning issue” appeared immediately after I cleaned the tires and wheels using a non-acid wheel cleaner. Prior to this, the tires had a perfectly normal appearance. I have never experienced this “browning issue” with other Michelin tires, but also, this is the first Michelin light-truck tire I have owned.

What happened?

 

[SatinSilver]

Those aren't bad. Spray them with Stoner's Tarminator to clean. Then Meguiars Hot Shine or something better for shine/protection.

 

[The Critic]

Looks pretty similar to @AZjeff 's situation:

Ugly brown Michelin tires 🤬

This one is my go-to. It does say "Protectant."

bobistheoilguy.com

I wonder if this is a normal characteristic of their truck tires.

Those aren't bad. Spray them with Stoner's Tarminator to clean. Then Meguiars Hot Shine or something better for shine/protection.

I am not concerned about a resolution, I am more interested in learning why the browning suddenly appeared after a cleaning.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

What product did you use to clean them?

 

[The Critic]

What did you use to clean them?

Excuse the name, but Brown Royal - diluted 1:1.

Brown Royal Non-acid Wheel & Tire Cleaner - Flash Auto Detailing Products

Brown Royal non-acid wheel cleaner is an Easy-to-Use touchless cleaner. Brown Royal will remove heavy brake dust from clear coated alloy, aluminum, chrome and painted wheels. Brown Royal wheel cleaner will not streak or etch surfaces. Brown Royal contains a unique polymer agent that actually...

www.flashautodetailproducts.com

For the record, this has never turned any other tire brown. And I’ve used it to clean hundreds of other tires…many of which were Michelin.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

Odd. I might try another tire cleaner or degreaser with a stiff brush to see if that helps. Otherwise the only option probably is to go over it with a tire dressing that will cover it.

 

[Boomer]

You allowed waxes and other chemicals (oils, antioxidants, residual curing agents, etc) in the tire to come to the surface after wiping away a surface layer.

 

[SaberOne]

Perhaps I’d become colorblind because I don’t see much brown tinge on the tire from my M1 iPad. Are use S100 Total Cycle cleaner on my tires and wheels, and it does a good job of cleaning off crud. It’s biodegradable so I don’t have to worry about damaging the tire.

 

[Astro14]

I have the same tires. Never seen that.

But then, I only clean the wheels. I spend zero effort cleaning tires. Inspecting, checking inflation, rotating, sure, just not cleaning.

 

[KGMtech]

I once had Nokian snow tires do this 20+ years ago, nothing since.

 

[The Critic]

I have the same tires. Never seen that.

But then, I only clean the wheels. I spend zero effort cleaning tires. Inspecting, checking inflation, rotating, sure, just not cleaning.

I did not extend very much effort into cleaning the tires - I merely sprayed a small amount of the wheel cleaner onto the tire, then gave them a very quick pass with the soft wheel brush that I was using. So, I was quite surprised to find this outcome.

 

[racer12306]

I put these tires on in December.

They started getting brown 4-5 months after. I washed the truck in May, it went away for a couple days and then came back. I also did not spend a lot of time washing the tires, wheels yes, tires no. I don't even recall running a brush over them, just whatever drippage from the body and wheels.

I did get a tire protectant for the next time I wash it to try and keep it from happening. I'm not a fan of glossy tire sprays.

 

[The Critic]

Otherwise the only option probably is to go over it with a tire dressing that will cover it.

The gloss should die down (some) after it dries, but this CarPro DarkSide should hide it for a while:

 

[spasm3]

Curious what @CapriRacer has to say.

 

[MParr]

What’s the date of manufacture for the tires?

 

[The Critic]

What’s the date of manufacture for the tires?

3 are from the 11th week of 2023, 1 is from the end of 2022.

 

[MParr]

3 are from the 11th week of 2023, 1 is from the end of 2022.

That rules out old tires.

 

[CapriRacer]

The brown on the tires is likely an antioxidant that has migrated to the surface. I'll bet that cleaner caused rapid oxidation.

 

[Nukeman7]

Here is the answer to why tires turn brown and how to clean them.

 

[k1xv]

Its a feature for farm trucks that drive across a field after the manure spreader has done its job.