Tire Browning and Alkaline Tire Cleaners

[ChronoJ1]

Originally Posted by gkcomp22

Well I hope my Michelin's don't turn brown like the BFG's. We'll see what happens.

I have BFG's and they are very brown as well.
So i guess no verdict to the cause of this?

[Alfisti]

Here's an excellent explanation from Megs website FAQs that makes total sense and is consistent with our obvservations:

"Most people don't give a lot of thought to their tires except for how they look. Truth be known, your tires are designed to perform under extreme conditions of heat via kinetic energy transfer, high speeds for long periods of time and incredible forces of torque and flexing. That's a lot to ask from a chunk of rubber, inflated with air like a cream filled donut.

The science behind the modern rubber formulas used by major tire manufactures today is both complex and interesting. The rubber itself contains and ingredient called Antiozonant. Antiozonant is an ingredient that helps to prevent the exterior rubber surface from cracking, checking, oxidizing, and deteriorating. The rubber is designed in such a way as to constantly work its way to the outside of the tire and as such, continually replenish the exterior surface with fresh antiozonant.



After the antiozonant works its way to the outside of the tire and is exposed to the ozone in the air, it turns brown. The technical term for this effect is blooming.

This is why you see a brown film on the surface your tires. You can wash your tires with soap or an all-purpose cleaner and remove this film, but in a few weeks, it's back. That's because the antiozonant continually works its way to the outside of the tires every time you drive your car.

To maintain your tires and keep them looking sharp with a deep, dark black color, Meguiar's offers six unique tire dressings that treat the rubber with Meguiar's own special conditioning agents as well as patented antiozonants that replenish your tires' original antiozonants and keep your tires looking blacker longer than generic tire dressings and protectants. Special polymers actually penetrate and cure to the surface to form a long lasting barrier-film that protects your tires from inclement weather and exposure to corrosive elements.

Source: meguiars.com: FAQ - Which Meguiar's products should I use on my tires?

[David Fermani]

Nice info Paul. I wonder if there's any correlation between Antiozonant & dry rotting?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Nice info Paul. I wonder if there's any correlation between Antiozonant & dry rotting?

Absolutely!

Antiozonants work there way to the surface only through tyre use. A static tyre (eg. a car that's stored on blocks) will dry rot because the antiozonants aren't replenished by tyre movement. As a result, the tyre begins to crack and rot.

Funny how tyres are one of very few products that are preserved, to a degree, by use.

[David Fermani]

Thanks again. So, what role does certain solvent based dressing play in causing dry rot?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by David Fermani

what role does certain solvent based dressing play in causing dry rot?

I don't think they all do.

I think solvents-based dressing can cause problems if they're the heavier cheaper PDs, rather than the better highly refined PDs that can 'flash' off without leaving anything behind. I believe that the heavy PDs remain 'wet' and dissolve the aniozonants, detroying the tyres protection, and over time cause dry rot.

Here's another great article: The Basics of Tire, Vinyl and Leather Protection - Automotive International

[bourmb]

Originally Posted by trhland

ive heard that also .

My dad used Black Magic on his new tires. Within two years, all 4 of his tires were had excessively cracked sidewalls.