What do you recommend for a tire protectant to help keep tires from drying/cracking/UV damage before the tread is worn out? Prefer something easily sourced (auto zone, target, amazon). Not interested in wiping it on, spray can or bottle preferred. IF it can be used/protect gray plastic bumpers, that's a bonus! Thanks!
Tire Protectant (UV?)
- Thread starter FL-400S
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You gott'a watch those products that you just spray on and walk away. It often gets where you don't want it! When I do use those spray on only, I still spray in on my applicator and wipe it on the tires/trim! Just my preference!
I haven't found one(spray on/walk away) that works better than the other in that case! So, buy by price where it's convienient for you
I don't know if this was of any value, Sorry!
I haven't found one(spray on/walk away) that works better than the other in that case! So, buy by price where it's convienient for you
I don't know if this was of any value, Sorry!
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You won't like this answer, but most of the tire "protectants" found in auto stores contain petroleum distillates and actually are harmful to the rubber.
If your goal is to protect the tire, find Aerospace 303 Protectant. This is truly a protectant that can be used on tires and lots of other things (even paint). It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.
If your goal is to protect the tire, find Aerospace 303 Protectant. This is truly a protectant that can be used on tires and lots of other things (even paint). It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.
I was told by a Tire guy that tires dry out over time (~4 yrs). So use any protectant just don't stop because doing so will accelerate the aging. Supposedly these products help draw the oils out of the rubber.
Originally Posted By: Danh
You won't like this answer, but most of the tire "protectants" found in auto stores contain petroleum distillates and actually are harmful to the rubber.
If your goal is to protect the tire, find Aerospace 303 Protectant. This is truly a protectant that can be used on tires and lots of other things (even paint). It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.
Second.
Been using 303 for close to a decade. I use it on a lot of things both outside and inside the car, and around the house. I like it for the true UV protection and nearly-flat finish it provides.
You won't like this answer, but most of the tire "protectants" found in auto stores contain petroleum distillates and actually are harmful to the rubber.
If your goal is to protect the tire, find Aerospace 303 Protectant. This is truly a protectant that can be used on tires and lots of other things (even paint). It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.
Second.
Been using 303 for close to a decade. I use it on a lot of things both outside and inside the car, and around the house. I like it for the true UV protection and nearly-flat finish it provides.
I don't use anything on my tires. Consumer "protectants" are often counter productive. If I used anything, I'd use 303.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I don't use anything on my tires. Consumer "protectants" are often counter productive. If I used anything, I'd use 303.
+1
I haven't noticed any issues with my tires cracking even if I did not use any of these so called protectants.
As for 303, while I'm sure it provides UV protection, I find that it also attracts dust, so I don't use it on the outside. It does give a nice flat finish on interiors, but it also causes off-gassing that hazes up the windshield. Still on the lookout for something better...
I don't use anything on my tires. Consumer "protectants" are often counter productive. If I used anything, I'd use 303.
+1
I haven't noticed any issues with my tires cracking even if I did not use any of these so called protectants.
As for 303, while I'm sure it provides UV protection, I find that it also attracts dust, so I don't use it on the outside. It does give a nice flat finish on interiors, but it also causes off-gassing that hazes up the windshield. Still on the lookout for something better...
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I don't use anything on my tires. Consumer "protectants" are often counter productive. If I used anything, I'd use 303.
+1
I haven't noticed any issues with my tires cracking even if I did not use any of these so called protectants.
As for 303, while I'm sure it provides UV protection, I find that it also attracts dust, so I don't use it on the outside. It does give a nice flat finish on interiors, but it also causes off-gassing that hazes up the windshield. Still on the lookout for something better...
I've never noticed that 303 hazes up my windshield. I clean it once a month anyway, so if it is doing something its way too slow for me to even notice.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I don't use anything on my tires. Consumer "protectants" are often counter productive. If I used anything, I'd use 303.
+1
I haven't noticed any issues with my tires cracking even if I did not use any of these so called protectants.
As for 303, while I'm sure it provides UV protection, I find that it also attracts dust, so I don't use it on the outside. It does give a nice flat finish on interiors, but it also causes off-gassing that hazes up the windshield. Still on the lookout for something better...
I've never noticed that 303 hazes up my windshield. I clean it once a month anyway, so if it is doing something its way too slow for me to even notice.
I suppose I should clean my windshield more often than I do.
It just seems that the windshield is harder to clean (smears that are hard to get rid of) if I had applied 303 to the dashboard in recent past.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I suppose I should clean my windshield more often than I do.
It just seems that the windshield is harder to clean (smears that are hard to get rid of) if I had applied 303 to the dashboard in recent past.
How often are you applying the 303? It lasts a pretty long time. I wonder if you are using too much.
Also, I rarely park in direct sunlight that might cause it to evaporate/gas-up.
I suppose I should clean my windshield more often than I do.
How often are you applying the 303? It lasts a pretty long time. I wonder if you are using too much.
Also, I rarely park in direct sunlight that might cause it to evaporate/gas-up.
#303
Thanks for all the replies.
303 Aerospace protectant is the stuff? $17 for 32oz or so I see.
I don't like cleaning windows so I don't mess with stuff on the dash. Just clean dust with damp cloth or overspray from invisible glass.
Sounds like 303 or nothing is the way to go. I wouldn't mind a little shine but mostly I think I'm looking for "sunscreen" for the tires. Usually just grab meguiars products if I'm unsure what may be best.
Two of the cars have Michelin defenders, so I'm interested in making them last 5+ years and they may not see nearly 90k miles. Think I saw in another thread that there is a Michelin tire product...maybe ill investigate that.
303 Aerospace protectant is the stuff? $17 for 32oz or so I see.
I don't like cleaning windows so I don't mess with stuff on the dash. Just clean dust with damp cloth or overspray from invisible glass.
Sounds like 303 or nothing is the way to go. I wouldn't mind a little shine but mostly I think I'm looking for "sunscreen" for the tires. Usually just grab meguiars products if I'm unsure what may be best.
Two of the cars have Michelin defenders, so I'm interested in making them last 5+ years and they may not see nearly 90k miles. Think I saw in another thread that there is a Michelin tire product...maybe ill investigate that.
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Originally Posted By: dparm
How often are you applying the 303? It lasts a pretty long time. I wonder if you are using too much.
Once a year maybe.
Quote:
Also, I rarely park in direct sunlight that might cause it to evaporate/gas-up.
Car spends very little time in direct sunlight. Most of the time it just sits in the garage.
How often are you applying the 303? It lasts a pretty long time. I wonder if you are using too much.
Once a year maybe.
Quote:
Also, I rarely park in direct sunlight that might cause it to evaporate/gas-up.
Car spends very little time in direct sunlight. Most of the time it just sits in the garage.
Originally Posted By: FL-400S
Two of the cars have Michelin defenders, so I'm interested in making them last 5+ years and they may not see nearly 90k miles. Think I saw in another thread that there is a Michelin tire product...maybe ill investigate that.
I have used the Michelin product before, and I still have a few bottles of it. Every once in a blue moon, I get an "itch" to shine the tires, and I do it with that. I don't feel that it protects them any better than not having it on there. And I'm usually sorry after I do it, because that stuff tends to cling on there after the rain and it looks worse than just nekkid rubber.
I never learn.
Two of the cars have Michelin defenders, so I'm interested in making them last 5+ years and they may not see nearly 90k miles. Think I saw in another thread that there is a Michelin tire product...maybe ill investigate that.
I have used the Michelin product before, and I still have a few bottles of it. Every once in a blue moon, I get an "itch" to shine the tires, and I do it with that. I don't feel that it protects them any better than not having it on there. And I'm usually sorry after I do it, because that stuff tends to cling on there after the rain and it looks worse than just nekkid rubber.
I never learn.
Use a higher end product or nothing at all. As mentioned most of the house brands at Autozone/AA contain petroleum distillates which will probably brown the tires in a few weeks. Some cheap but good protectans are Duragloss Tire Shines(they have several)and even silicone free, Stoners More Shine which is widely available and of course the 303 but many don't use it on tires because of the high cost.
I used to apply tire shine every time I washed my car until hearing about many containing petroleum distillates. The only shine I use now is Surf City Garage's Beyond Black every few months. It leaves an elegant sheen and is petroleum-free. Walmart stocks it which is nice.
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