Tire care: How clean is clean?

**kakeuter** · 04-14-2011, 09:01 AM

For some reason I have been really concerned with making sure my clients tires are as clean as possible, especially the ones that are caked with shiny dressing that slings all over the car.

Depending on the wheels, I tend to spray down the tires with diluted Megs Super Degreaser, let dwell for a little bit and then hit them with the pressure washer. Then I repeat that same process with the addition of a tire scrubbing brush before hitting the tires with the pressure washer.

My question/situation: I spray the tires with 303 or other tire dressing, let sit for a little bit and then spread with a dedicated MF applicator. The applicator tends to get pretty dirty and I`m afraid that this is affecting the results of the tire dressing. Usually I hit the applicator with Megs Super Degreaser, rinse and dry and hit the tires again to ensure the dressing is spread evenly.

Should I be cleaning the tires differently to avoid getting the applicator so dirty, or is that just the way it goes with tires?

Thanks for your help here.

-Kody-

**David Fermani** · 04-15-2011, 10:20 PM

That`s a tough call. No matter how clean you get your tires, they still trash applicators. I`d stock up on the cheap ones and toss em when they`re filled with heavy dirt.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 04-16-2011, 03:31 PM

I agree... I get my applicators (Eagle One Tire Swipe knock-offs) at Harbor Freight -- 3 for $1. Usually I end up tossing the applicator after a single use (one set of 4 tires).

**jb1** · 04-16-2011, 04:50 PM

I clean my tires & wheels with a home-brew recipe of several cleaners and it removes everything. When I apply the dressing, my foam sponge still gets black. I get a 10 pack of rectangle foam pads from a store called Dollar Tree and at .10 a piece, they`re a one time use pad. Can`t get much cheaper than that.

**Bunky** · 04-17-2011, 06:47 AM

I think using mf is a problem. I use Carrand foam applicators and I do not really have issue with them getting dirty. I reuse them multiple times and keep them in a plastic baggy. They are black so it would be less noticeable. The only area I have an issue with is when using applicator to spread undercarriage spray since the wells are never spotless for me.

**Surly** · 04-17-2011, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Bunky

I think using mf is a problem. I use Carrand foam applicators and I do not really have issue with them getting dirty. I reuse them multiple times and keep them in a plastic baggy. They are black so it would be less noticeable. The only area I have an issue with is when using applicator to spread undercarriage spray since the wells are never spotless for me.

All I`ve been able to get lately is those. I think each one lasts me a season (as in 6 months or so). I used to be able to get others I liked better at retails stores but not any longer... Most of my tire detailing is on my summers (Michelin PS2s 235/45/17) and not big knobby truck tires. My snows - Hakkapeliitta RSis in 225/55/16 - have edge blocks that really tear at any sponge applicator on the other hand.

**kakeuter** · 04-17-2011, 07:02 PM

Thank you all for the responses. I have the tire applicators from harbor freight, as well the MF applicators from there. I like the way the MF applicator spreads the product out on the tires, I have achieved great results with them. I can go back and forth between applicators since I have plenty and see what works better.

-Kody-

**jmsc** · 08-21-2011, 10:16 AM

Went to Harbor Freight last nite but they don`t sell them anymore. At least not in my store in CT. Are these tire swipes 3/$1 at other HF stores still available?

**Dan** · 08-21-2011, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by David Fermani

That`s a tough call. No matter how clean you get your tires, they still trash applicators. I`d stock up on the cheap ones and toss em when they`re filled with heavy dirt.

Agree. If you are hitting them with a good brush and superdegreaser its unlikely you`ll get them any cleaner. My go-to on really trashed tires is bleach-white but that stuff is bad news on wheels. Tires ooze out oils and waxes, there is no way you`ll get one completely clean.

**David Fermani** · 08-21-2011, 11:48 AM

You`re tires aren`t clean until you can do this:

**C. Charles Hahn** · 08-21-2011, 01:16 PM

I know Z16 smells like bubble-gum, but that`s a whole new extreme right there!

**wascallyrabbit** · 08-21-2011, 04:20 PM

high temp has one that smells like grapes.

**Ch96067** · 08-21-2011, 04:29 PM

My experience on my tires (initially Bridgestones, now Pirellis) is that when you think they are clean they are not.

I use a dedicated sponge for my tires and a scrubber. I hit with the PW first, then with the scrubber and suds, then with my sponge and suds and PW again. Despite this effort when I use an MF to dry them (to avoid water spots) it gets dirty every time. I wouldn`t want to use something more drastic than suds on the tyre wall, so I guess I will have to live with that.

Regarding applicators I use the Carrand too. Very happy about the control over the application and the even spreading. My dressing is Surf City Garage beyond black. I have used 303 in the past and also 1Z tyre foam.

Kody, perhaps you could try (if you haven`t already) the 1Z tire foam, prior to the 303 or any other dressing, as one more step in the cleaning/conditioning of the tyres you detail. I think it gets the tyre looking somewhat cleaner/more rubbery prior to the dressing.

**dschribs** · 08-22-2011, 06:50 AM

JMSC

I go to the Harbor Freight in Berlin (by the movie theaters). Is that the one you went to?? Last time I was there they did have them. That was over a month ago...

Got some Meg`s clay there too. It was on sale and I used one of their 20% off coupons.

**pingable** · 08-22-2011, 07:29 AM

How balls to wallz are ya`ll cleaning. While I agree a clean tire helps dressing last longer, I only tend to do it 1X a year - in spring.

After that it`s just maintenance dressing for me. I`ve never really looked into it or not, but I suppose the extra chemicals in using them to clean them could leech out more UV inhibitors in them than not....