Silicone or Water Based Tire Dressing: What's better and Why?

Dust2Glory

Dust2Glory

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Ok here's the deal. D & D questioned why I was using a silicone based dressing on tires. Because that's what was sold to me. Now I know silicone on paint can ruin clear... no agrument there. However I have been using silicone based dressing on my tires and they have yet to brown... on the other hand, they are cracking on the sides. Now if I were to use a water based dressing, would this still happen?

Now I'm no dummy, when I put the dressing on, I wipe the excess off so it won't sling. And I have seen it with my own eyes that silicone based dressing is a water-repellant. I have read a few thing on the internet, but who's to say what is true. I have ordered some PB dressing and I got a sample of DP tire gel. The DP TG was good stuff, very sticky. It didn't last as long as I thought it would. About as long as my RL exterior tire and trim, none the less good stuff. So if you have some good info and or good opinion let me know. As well to educate other people.
 
I think you may mean solvent based dressings vs water based. Most dressing use silicone although there are some speciality dressing for body shops that are silicone free. Water based is generally milky looking where solvents tend to be clear or blue but sometimes other colors are used. As I recall solvent dressing work by expanding the pores of the rubber and allowing the silicone to penetrate the surface. The tend to last longer and be more water resistant. Over time some may discolor the tire and or change the composition of the rubber. I've not experienced this very often. Water based dressing sit on the top surfaces more and tend to not last as long. They are however considered more safe. The level of shine comes from the quality and amount of silicone used.
Personally I use both from time to time. Some solvent dressing I think are too greasy and build a sludge on the tire. They may last a long time but they are messy. A few dealers use some horrible dressing around here. When a customer gets the free carwash and I have to remove that dressing it's a pain. It blackens my brush and is super hard to remove. It sure does last but looks like crap after dirt and dust has collected on it for a week. Other solvent dressing work just fine though. Quality water based dressing work great and clean up of the tire is much easier.
 
Personally, I like my tires with a satin look, or just a nice clean natural look
On my own car, I use Wesley's Wite-Bleache cleaner at least once a year, and dress with PB NL
Silicone based dressing may nourish the tires, and keep them from premature aging, but I believe cleaning thoroughly before dressing is just as important
 
Some solvent dressings can damage tires so wtch out! I like water based because i feel it attracts less dust, however most solvent based dressing last longer. Also most tire dressings containing silicone give a very shinny look. I dont like silicones in my dressing because of the dust thing, they seem to build up a layer of gunk after like a day. 303 protectant is a great water based dressing, along with pinnacle black onyx.
 
My tires browned with........................PB BnB which is why I stoped using. I loved the way it looked though. I now use WG tire gel and I'm very happy with the results it give. It holds up to rain a lot better as well. Very easy to remove as well, I use PB APC and it comes right off. PB BNB has worked well on my wifes car, no problems there. weird...
 
wytstang said:
My tires browned with........................PB BnB which is why I stoped using. I loved the way it looked though. I now use WG tire gel and I'm very happy with the results it give. It holds up to rain a lot better as well. Very easy to remove as well, I use PB APC and it comes right off. PB BNB has worked well on my wifes car, no problems there. weird...
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I think there's different reactions to the ingredients of the rubber on the tires...I read about it somewhere..
 
Yah, on our older green van I sprayed the tires once with AA foam, and poof, they have been brown ever since. Yes, really once!

But my son has used it on his Honda - both have tires less than 1 full year old - and his are fine. Explain that to me; neither has cheap tires.

I hate sling; I rarely use any of the stuff anymore. This time, I used a baster brush - like a paint brush- to put on the AA tire gel. Now that didn't sling...got that idea from someone here....but they really don't look shiney anymore, and it's only 2 days later....
 
klumzypinoy said:
I think there's different reactions to the ingredients of the rubber on the tires...I read about it somewhere..
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It could be that the solvents in that tire gel are leaching out the carbon black in the tires, some tire dressings can brown tires or worse.....lead to tire failure, companys check for the presence of ingredients in some tire shines which could have lead to the tire failure. . I dont know if that is whats going on but its a guess.
 
Sometimes, I think adding tire shine of any sort is just a waste of time and money....
 
After trying many tire dressings, I will tell you that I prefer water based tire gels. DP, Wolfgang, and Pinnacle work the best with an average 2 weeks durability.
 
I'm only gonna get water based dressings, I don't wanna mess up the tires.
 
supercharged said:
After trying many tire dressings, I will tell you that I prefer water based tire gels. DP, Wolfgang, and Pinnacle work the best with an average 2 weeks durability.
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I agree here. I use DP and Pinnacle and get about 2 weeks of durability. I don't want my tires super shiny because when I see vehicles with super shiny tires guess what I notice the tires and not the vehicle. Tires and wheels are suppose to enhance a car not take attention away from it.
 
wolfpacker92 said:
I agree here. I use DP and Pinnacle and get about 2 weeks of durability. I don't want my tires super shiny because when I see vehicles with super shiny tires guess what I notice the tires and not the vehicle. Tires and wheels are suppose to enhance a car not take attention away from it.
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Yeah, I want a more low profile shine on tires. The matte finish looks awesome. I used to like the super wet look, but then the matte look grew on me a lot.
 
You can use solvent based dressings if you want the tires to rot...

Or use water based dressings and be safe...

Personally, I don't use dressings all that much. But my top 2 dressings are Meg's Hot Shine (solvent) and PB BnB (water). However, water based dressings do not last that well in the rain for obvious reasons. As stated above, every tire reacts differently with tire dressings. The browning of tires can be from dirt getting on the tire from the dressing but most of the time it is from an ingredient in the tires to prevent dry rot.
 
TOWGT just posted all the chemical properties of both types. Search his posts----very interesting.
 
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/7231-truth-about-sillicone-petrolium-distilates.html


there, did the homework for you:D

TOWGT said:
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Silicone: Not to be confused with the element silicon

The degree of polymerisation [process of bonding monomers, or single units together through a variety of reaction mechanisms to form longer chains named polymers] determines the physical form of the silicone, which can vary from thin oils to relatively hard rubbers or resins.


The myth of grouping all silicones into one category and label them harmful; environmentally unsound or dangerous is just that, a myth, and like most myths there is some, albeit little truth to it Making an all encompassing statement that products that contain silicone are harmful shows a lack of any real knowledge of the petroleum refining processes; these irresponsible statements are purely misinformation at best, and are meant to mislead or to be used as negative marketing.

Silicones are primarily used to modify or improve certain characteristics; they are sometimes added as a lubricant to provide spread ability thereby making a product easier to apply. The automotive industry uses silicones as component parts (see polymerisation) in its plastic, vinyl, rubber, paints, and fibreglass as well as in polishes and waxes.

Silicone (Siloxane)oils provide an excellent lubricant that when used as a carrier system in polishes that makes them easier to apply and remove When used in paints and other coatings it ensures an even flow through a spray nozzle ensuring an even product distribution.

The low surface tension of some silicones improves automotive cleaning products by increasing the ‘wetting’ ability by providing a much better surface contact for abrasive or solvent type cleaners and polishes. The newer amino functional silicones when added to products create a physical bond with the surface; this boding provides better product durability than products that rely only on surface tension for bonding.

Petroleum distillate silicone oils and solvents are often used in a water-in oil emulsion (water-based silicones) as a delivery method (carrier system) for the protective components of a product. The oils also help the product to spread and then the solvents vaporize (outgas) to enable product residue removal. Solvents evaporate more efficiently, especially at low temperatures than water-based products, which require heat to vaporize. Silicone oils are inherently water repellent so they won’t allow water to compromise the paint surface providing better durability and protection. Because of silicones ability to refract light it also provides a ‘brighter’ shine.



Information resource:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, Department of the Environment (DOE), EPA/Purdue University Study 2001 -79 The American Association of Industrial Hygiene (AAIH) American Petroleum Institute (API) publications The Basics of Silicon Chemistry - Dow Corning. http://www.eng.buffalo.eduChemical definitions by Main Page - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reference source- Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist – by Jon Miller aka TOGWT™ © 2004 – 2007 all rights reserved


As a chemical Engineer (ChemE) I would like to help detailers reach an intelligent and logical understanding of the many chemicals used in detailing. Improperly used chemicals can cause damage to the surface they are applied to (sometimes irreparably) because the detailer was not educated regarding the chemical make-up of the products they used.

Conversely I also want to show you that it's a waste of time to dedicate too much time and attention to them. All that is required is that you learn some basic chemistry i.e. what pH values mean, and what detailing chemicals too avoid or the precaution to take if you do choose to use them.

Good Silicone / Not so good Silicone:
a) Water - based silicone dressings, usually a milky-white liquid, (Polydimethylsiloxane (PDS)that doesn’t contain petroleum distillate; silicone oils, waxes, or solvents that can harm rubber and/or vinyl over time. Water-based dressings use a combination of natural oils and polymers to offer a non-greasy, satin finish. Some of these products also contain ultra violet radiation (UVR) blocking agents to help keep tires from cracking, fading and hardening. Most, if not all water-based dressings are biodegradable (i.e. Zaino Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss™) whereas silicone is not.

b) Solvent-based silicone dressings, usually a clear greasy liquid, (Dimethal (DMS) that contain petroleum solvents as a cleaning agent, they remove the elasticity from vinyl, rubber and paint; causing them to evaporate out of the substrate, leaving behind a dry inflexible surface. The difference between water and solvent based is in the carrier system used. Solvent based products use a hydrocarbon silicone to suspend the product. When you apply it, the solvent evaporates leaving the dressing's active ingredients (Silicone oil) behind; this type of silicone is also not biodegradable. Most high gloss products are based upon DMS silicone oil.
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budman3 said:
You can use solvent based dressings if you want the tires to rot...

Or use water based dressings and be safe...

Personally, I don't use dressings all that much. But my top 2 dressings are Meg's Hot Shine (solvent) and PB BnB (water). However, water based dressings do not last that well in the rain for obvious reasons. As stated above, every tire reacts differently with tire dressings. The browning of tires can be from dirt getting on the tire from the dressing but most of the time it is from an ingredient in the tires to prevent dry rot.
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water based tire gels is what you really need to try.
 
I still like Poorboys BnB .... it looks better than most store bought silicones in a can type dressings, yet doesnt seem to harm tires and washes off rather easily with brush. DP is nice also, and might wet, but I still get a little sling.
 
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