Cleaning Tires - How To?

Mirror Finish

Mirror Finish

New member
Joined
Mar 21, 2012
Messages
133
Reaction score
1
I am looking for a product that cleans the rubber, not a product that makes tires look good for a while. That comes after they have been cleaned properly. Just as you clean your paint prior to doing anything else, same thing but for rubber.

Every time I get new tires and I wash them to get the tire lube off from mounting them, the rubber appears to have a waxy or mold release coating on them that turns grey or whitish.

What soap gets them a natural matt black clean?

Thanks!
 
Are you looking for something OTC? Or do you plan to order from AG? I have no experience with any of AG's tire cleaning products so i can't speak on them.

As far as OTC cleaners, My first choice for cleaning really dirty tires would be bleche wite.

Second choice would be purple power diluted accordingly. Although i believe purple power is definitely not safe for aluminum wheels.
 
I use either Meg's D143 @ 3:1 or Tuff Shine Tire Cleaner. Both WORK AMAZINGLY, but only one is economical for the frequent user. That's the Megs. The Tuff Shine seems to just disappear, however, I am not buying the concentrate.

I use the Tuf Shine tire brush with both cleaners. The nice part about the D143, it's your wheel cleaner too :) So you just spray the whole wheel/tire assembly and let sit for about a minute then agitate. Repeat for badly degraded sidewalls.

Like you, I like the clean tire look over a dressed tire any day.
 
Thanks for all the replies and recommendations so far.

I'll be putting in an order later today. Might as well take advantage of the SEMA15 discount.
 
I use Super Clean diluted 4:1 to clean my tires and u can pick that up at wally world. I believe a gallon cost around $10.
 
I ended up getting Simoniz Tire Cleaner since it had very good reviews on the retailer site, plus it was 20% off.

I can get started tomorrow and see how it performs.

I'll try the Mother's and Tuf Shine with my next AG order.
 
Mirror Finish said:
I ended up getting Simoniz Tire Cleaner since it had very good reviews on the retailer site, plus it was 20% off.

I can get started tomorrow and see how it performs.

I'll try the Mother's and Tuf Shine with my next AG order.
Click to expand...

McKee's Tire Cleaner and Rejuvinator.
 
PouncingPanzer said:
I use either Meg's D143 @ 3:1
Click to expand...

I use the Megs at the same dilution and I don't have to use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the tires, a soft bristled one works great, doesn't scratch the rubber and is safe on my rims. I use it once a week when I wash the car and it keeps them so clean, I never get browning (I don't have to scrub that much either).

However, I have just started using Meguiar's ENDURANCE Tire Gel (the grape smelling stuff) and it's working great and it's not an obnoxious shine, more of a 'brand new tire clean' once you buff off the excess.
 
Well the Simoniz Tire Cleaner was a total waste of time and effort. It didn't even get the "brown" off after three applications and I even used a scrub brush.

I can't see how a water based product can get a waxy film off rubber. I already wiped down the tires with solvent last week and that got most of it off.

My AutoGeek order will be in next week. The Mother's and Tuf Shine that I ordered better work a whole lot better.
 
Mirror Finish said:
Every time I get new tires and I wash them to get the tire lube off from mounting them, the rubber appears to have a waxy or mold release coating on them that turns grey or whitish.
Click to expand...

I would hazard a guess that your issue stems from the fact that your tires are brand new, vs. your cleaner of choice being inadequate. You're exactly right about new tires having a mold release coating plus they also have fresh anti-ozonant that will try to leach to the outside of the tire. This will diminish over time and just requires patience.

There's been several good rubber cleaners recommended in the thread so far, including Mother's Back-To-Black Tire Renew and McKee's 37 Tire & Rubber Rejuvenator. I'll throw another solvent-based cleaner into the mix for you to try - Griots Rubber Prep:

https://www.autogeek.net/griots-rubber-prep.html

Even after thoroughly cleaning my tires before applying a protective tire coating, Griots Rubber Prep always seems to remove more dirt and grime left behind by the other cleaners. Give it a shot, it may help to resolve or at least reduce your problem.
 
BadgerRivFan said:
Griots Rubber Prep always seems to remove more dirt and grime left behind by the other cleaners. Give it a shot, it may help to resolve or at least reduce your problem.
Click to expand...

Oh sure, now you tell me, after my AutoGeek order has been shipped.
 
Sometimes its best to clean them, driven on them, clean them some more and repeat for a bit. I say this because the tires are so new and they need to "breathe", especially brand new ones with that "stuff" on them.

That said, Optimum Power Clean aka Alien Kleen is an outstanding product, not a designated tire cleaner persay but an great all around cleaner, check it out!
 
Klasse Act said:
Sometimes its best to clean them, driven on them, clean them some more and repeat for a bit. I say this because the tires are so new and they need to "breathe", especially brand new ones with that "stuff" on them.
Click to expand...

I've noticed that. I bought my new daily driver in May and the rubber on those tires look natural. Its the new winter tires I just installed on new alloys that are causing me grief. They will go on the car before the end of the month, clean or not.
 
I start with Simple Green diluted 1:1 sprayed on the tires and wheel wells. Then I mix a solution of water and Dawn dish detergent. I soak a tire brush in the Dawn solution and scrub the tires. They rinse clean without harsh chemicals.
 
Meguiars Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner, works for me.
 
I've been going through a lot of McKee's TCAR and the trick for me is to rinse and repeat until the suds turn clean. That's several times in most cases. Then a tire coating at about 3 layers.

I also agree with clean, drive, clean, drive etc. to wear off new tires. And by "drive" I prefer the "spirited" method to turn them sidewalls for exercise!
 
SJP4379 said:
I use Super Clean diluted 4:1 to clean my tires and u can pick that up at wally world. I believe a gallon cost around $10.
Click to expand...

This stuff works well!

I watched Scott’s, Dallas Paint Corrections YouTube channel regarding Super Clean and was impressed with his results. Great wheel well cleaner and worked very well for extremely dirty Weathertech mats.
 
Mirror Finish said:
Well the Simoniz Tire Cleaner was a total waste of time and effort.
Click to expand...

Now that the spray bottle is empty, I got the labels off with Goo Gone and will be using it as that and filling it with Facto AT30, the best water-based degreaser out there. As in the past, the Facto AT30 did a far better job in cleaning the "brown" off the rubber tires. I'll see how the Mother's and Tuf Shine that I ordered works the next time I have to clean them.

Edited to add:
It seems I asked the topic question before some years ago which I just came across...old age I guess.
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/73993-lf-tire-cleaning-product.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top