Question for Dr. G: Damaging Tires While Cleaning and Why OPC Does Not

Hi Dr. G,

Hopefully you will see this and be able to give us some insight into tire cleaning, antiozonants, and the like.

Some of us have noted that some caustic tire cleaners, seem to almost pull more browning out of the tire when cleaning. Conversely, OPC, while getting the tire clean, doesn`t seem to cause continuing brown residue while cleaning, and that tires seem to be more resistant to browning after cleaning with OPC (as compared to caustic tire cleaners).

We have wondered whether indeed those caustic cleaners are leaching (important?) additives out of the tire, why this is, what specific ingredients might do that, what is the effect on the tire, and what makes OPC such an effective tire cleaner while not causing "leaching".

The OPT description of Optimum Tire Shine indicates it contains "the same UV and ozone protectants that are used in the manufacturing of tires"; does that mean that Optimum Tire Shine can replenish additives leached out by harsh cleaners? Does Opti-Bond contain the same ingredients (the wording is slightly different for Opti-Bond).

Also, while we`re on the subject of tires, and since you are the father of paint coatings as we know them, is there an Optimum tire coating in our future?

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Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Hi Dr. G,

Hopefully you will see this and be able to give us some insight into tire cleaning, antiozonants, and the like.

Some of us have noted that some caustic tire cleaners, seem to almost pull more browning out of the tire when cleaning. Conversely, OPC, while getting the tire clean, doesn`t seem to cause continuing brown residue while cleaning, and that tires seem to be more resistant to browning after cleaning with OPC (as compared to caustic tire cleaners).

We have wondered whether indeed those caustic cleaners are leaching (important?) additives out of the tire, why this is, what specific ingredients might do that, what is the effect on the tire, and what makes OPC such an effective tire cleaner while not causing "leaching".

The OPT description of Optimum Tire Shine indicates it contains "the same UV and ozone protectants that are used in the manufacturing of tires"; does that mean that Optimum Tire Shine can replenish additives leached out by harsh cleaners? Does Opti-Bond contain the same ingredients (the wording is slightly different for Opti-Bond).

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This is a great technical subject you have brought up since tire can age prematurely and cause rubber to crack due to improper maintenance. Rubber used in tire is based on polymerizing isoprene which forms a polyunsaturated polymer. The unsaturation will react with ozone and breaks down causing cracking. As you said, tire manufacturers add ozone scavengers and UV blockers when they formulate tires to prevent UV and ozone degradation. As tire rotates, these protectants will come to surface continuously over the life of tire which is referred to as churning or blooming.

The browning of tire is due to the UV and ozone blockers on the surface. Solvent based tire dressings and aggressive cleaners will leach out ozone blockers and UV absorbers and bring them to the surface causing excessive browning as you mentioned, This will cause a reduction of these protectants in the tire which will cause premature aging and cracking of tire. This is why tire manufacturers recommend against solvent based dressings. Both Optimum Tire Shine and Opti-Bond Tire Gel are water based, contain ozone and UV blockers, and are free of any solvents. Power Clean also is a mild cleaner that does not cause leaching or premature aging of tires.

Hey, Doc,

Thanks for the answer. I hope you will stop by once and a while and join in on the fun around here.

There are a lot of Optimum fans on this board.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Dr. G

This is a great technical subject you have brought up since tire can age prematurely and cause rubber to crack due to improper maintenance. Rubber used in tire is based on polymerizing isoprene which forms a polyunsaturated polymer. The unsaturation will react with ozone and breaks down causing cracking. As you said, tire manufacturers add ozone scavengers and UV blockers when they formulate tires to prevent UV and ozone degradation. As tire rotates, these protectants will come to surface continuously over the life of tire which is referred to as churning or blooming.

The browning of tire is due to the UV and ozone blockers on the surface. Solvent based tire dressings and aggressive cleaners will leach out ozone blockers and UV absorbers and bring them to the surface causing excessive browning as you mentioned, This will cause a reduction of these protectants in the tire which will cause premature aging and cracking of tire. This is why tire manufacturers recommend against solvent based dressings. Both Optimum Tire Shine and Opti-Bond Tire Gel are water based, contain ozone and UV blockers, and are free of any solvents. Power Clean also is a mild cleaner that does not cause leaching or premature aging of tires.

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:autopia:

How does one determine if a tire cleaner is too aggressive?

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Originally Posted by JSFM35X

Hey, Doc,

Thanks for the answer. I hope you will stop by once and a while and join in on the fun around here.

There are a lot of Optimum fans on this board.

Thanks

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Jeff,

Thank you for informing me about this question and I appreciate all the positive comments everyone else had about sharing my $0.02. I am always available via email or phone but I usually do not post unless a question specifically has my name on it. Otherwise, I think it is best when you all share your personal experiences without us manufacturers getting into the product discussions. Thanks again.

David,

I used to clean the junked up areas of my (chain driven) motorcycle with strong APC (like full strength LA Awesome), and while I was at it, I`d try to get the brown "dirt" off the back tire at the same time. Never knowing, I was causing the browning all along.

Thanks Setec and Dr. G.

Bumping this for easier visibility for a member.

And much appreciated by other members. You have no idea how long this has been puzzling me and my friend (due to his 33" off road tires and browning).

THANK YOU VEGA!!!!!

I always enjoy coming across a Dr. G post. Huge fan of him and his products. Thanks for the bump.

And it was nice to be reminded of Setec Astronomy, who`s been MIA here at Autopia for a while now.

Well that just makes too much sense. Thanks for sharing. Is it fair to assume that if you dilute the concentration enough that an APC or "super degreaser" will not leach out the protectants? Obviously the weak dilutions won`t clean the tires as well, I`m thinking for light surface cleaning of tires and wheels. An example would be an APC at 20:1?

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Originally Posted by Accumulator

And it was nice to be reminded of Setec Astronomy, who`s been MIA here at Autopia for a while now.

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He`s over at AGO. I don`t think he`s coming back here.

Awesome information!! Thank you guys!! [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Bill D

..[Setec Astronomy is].. over at AGO. I don`t think he`s coming back here.

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Yeah, that`s what I heard (noting that I only frequent Autopia).