Review: Michelin brake dust repellent and 3 n1 tire shine w/pics

ebpcivicsi · 03-20-05, 05:15

Last week while in Autozone, I noticed a few new items by Michelin. I have absolutely no need for another tire dressing and the only other brake dust repellant that has worked for be has been rainX. I can't find the rainX anymore(the dollar store ran out). So I did what any idiot what would do when they have no need for a product, I bought it.

I got the Michelin 3 n 1 tire dressing and the michelin brake dust repellent. You can read more about them here.
http://www.petroferm.com/michelin/tc.htm

First up the brake dust repellent:

The cost was around $6, sorry I didn't keep the receipt. The bottle claims that it will leave an invisible barrier on your wheels that will keep brake dust from adhering. This is supposed to make subsequent cleanings easier as soils and brake dust do not have the chance to attach themselves to the wheels.

The packaging is IMO very nice, the bottle sprays as it should and the directions are clear, concise, and to the point. What more could you ask for.

So I applied the product to my wheels last weekend after a normal wash with NXT. I have never had a need for wheel cleaners on my personal vehicles, so they were just washed as usual.

Here is a pic of the product:

The directions state to apply a fine mist of the cleaner on the wheel and wait 15 seconds for the product to begin breaking up. Here I have applied it to the wheel very lightly.

15 seconds later, hard to see, but the foam does begin to break up and you can hear it "fizzing" like a coke.

After the product is removed with a dedicated MF there is a little change in slickness and it leaves the wheel nice and glossy.

This week it rained off and on for two days. I drive 80+ miles a day and my car was fairly dirty. I only applied the product to my front wheels as I figured they would accumulate the most brake dust and "gunk."

This is the wheel without the product after one week of driving and two days of off and on rain:

Here is the wheel WITH the protectant:

Without:

WITH

A pretty noticable difference IMO. The two front wheels were also much easier to clean. IMO, the Michelin brake dust repellent does exactly what it claims to do.

I give it a

ebpcivicsi · 03-20-05, 05:17

Now for the dressing, again I didn't keep the reeipt, but it was around $6 for the bottle.

The packaging is again IMO very nice. The sprayers works well and the directions are very clear. The product is water based and claims to have no PD's.

I applied the dressing to a clean tire with an EO tire swipe cut in half. Do NOT apply the dresing too thickly, it will just sit on top of the tire. A little goes a long way, but it takes a few wipes to work the dressing in. I had no sling and it dries to a nice satin finish.

As far as durability, this shot shows what the dressing looked like after a week of driving in the same conditions as described above. IMO, not bad at all for a water based dressing. Sometimes when I use #40 on tires, after a rain the tires will look chalky and dull. With this dressing that stayed black.

Robb · 03-20-05, 05:20

Wow, thats quite a difference on the wheels, im going to try this product out.

BigAl3 · 03-20-05, 05:20

good write up!

may have to check it out!!

LouisanaJeeper · 03-20-05, 05:31

nice

you need wider tires, btw

ebpcivicsi · 03-20-05, 05:39

Quote:

Originally posted by LouisanaJeeper
nice

you need wider tires, btw

Thanks, with my drop anything wider rubs. Appreciate the advice though.

G35stilez · 03-20-05, 05:45

Very nice!

I never get tired of looking at your car/rims.

A very noticeable difference IMO as well. I may have to give this a shot in comparo to PB Wheel Sealant.

Qship · 03-20-05, 05:46

Very nice write up! Great pics!

You have convinvced me to try them.

Pats300zx · 03-20-05, 05:48

Nice writeup...Thanks for putting that together...

JustinTRW · 03-20-05, 06:09

You tested using front wheels correct? Looks like you did, but I just had to ask!

Looks like this product might help me save time in the future for the less detailed cars.

ebpcivicsi · 03-20-05, 06:14

Quote:

Originally posted by JustinTRW
You tested using front wheels correct? Looks like you did, but I just had to ask!

Looks like this product might help me save time in the future for the less detailed cars.

Correct, I applied it to both front wheels, but left the back alone. My thinking was that the front wheels on my car always attract more brake dust than the rear so it would be more of a test.

Bill D · 03-20-05, 06:17

Very nice

I picked up the wheel and tire cleaner because I was impressed by the fact it is has a neutral pH and is endorsed by Michelin itself.

It's going to be a while before I get around to using it. I have loads of other cleaners on top of this one now

. But I do plan to use it on my tires.

This product was also about $6 and I tested it with a pH strip and it confirmed the pH is 7,understanding these aren't the most highly accurate testers.