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How to clean tires?

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:27 pm
by nvxwax
Ok, i just rebuilt my 10T Team, Anybody know how to clean tires without messing them up? I'm trying to remove the whitish colored stuff, I'm guessing its oxidization? I have used a mild cleaner, kinda like a heavy duty dish soap lol.

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Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:23 pm
by Coelacanth
I've had good success just using some liquid dish detergent (Dawn is popular) in some hot water, and a good scrub-down with a toothbrush.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:46 pm
by muck
i just used tire shine on some used Badlands we use on tires at the shop. Leaves a shiny coat to it, but also helps prevent the dry rot from sitting.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:39 am
by Brandon G
Wurth rubber care. Don't use silicone based products.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:36 am
by Coelacanth
Someone joked in another thread that it looked like I put Armor All on my tires; I didn't, they were just brand-new. But seriously, are any of those automotive tire dressings good for protecting the rubber?

I have tires from 25+ years ago that are still in perfect shape, because I kept them in Ziplock bags, but shelf queens look far less regal when they're showcased in bags. :mrgreen:

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:13 pm
by slotcarrod
If your tires are NEW with the white on them, I would keep it on! That is mold release agent and is original to NIP tires. I know it looks ugly, but it's original!

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:33 pm
by Eau Rouge
Simple Green & water + scrub brush, then wipe them down with WD40. That's what we did for tires at the track for off road and dirt oval. Simple Green alone is a great tire softener and cleaner, too.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:47 am
by Twin Detonator
Coelacanth wrote:Someone joked in another thread that it looked like I put Armor All on my tires
What is wrong with using Armor all on these tires?
Lynn

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:44 am
by nvxwax
Thanks for the info guy's, I think im going to go with the simple green scrub and see were that gets me, I have herd not to use armor all on tires.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:01 am
by Eau Rouge
Armor All is pretty much bad for everything. It contains silicones and tolulene and it will deteriorate all rubber and vinyl over time. Don't use it on anything.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:02 pm
by hairymuffin
Eau Rouge wrote:Simple Green & water + scrub brush, then wipe them down with WD40. That's what we did for tires at the track for off road and dirt oval. Simple Green alone is a great tire softener and cleaner, too.
+1 n the simple green, like he said, also a great softner rather than using a traction compound

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:17 pm
by aconsola
I've found that simple green and a lot of scrubbing makes it look like the white stuff on old tires is gone, but once it dries the white comes back on some of them. The best thing I have used to get the white residue off is goo gone. it gets all the junk off and leaves the tires with a nice shine.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:59 pm
by Twin Detonator
Eau Rouge wrote:Armor All is pretty much bad for everything. It contains silicones and tolulene and it will deteriorate all rubber and vinyl over time. Don't use it on anything.
Not to be a smart ass, but I thought that is what Armor All was made for.?. I have used it on my Mustang GT, and all our other cars for years on all the vinyl and rubber items and I never seen any ill affects.

What about using a tire wet spray product like I use on my Mustang tires all the time?

Lynn

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:04 pm
by Eau Rouge
That is what it is made for, however, it has been proven that long time usage of it will actually do the opposite of its intended use. Most pro car detailers swear at the stuff, not by it.

A protectant like 303 is better for rubber and vinyl, but for an RC tire, if you want the shinny look, personally, I'd still with WD40 and be done with it.

Re: How to clean tires?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:13 pm
by Twin Detonator
I also used Armor all in my TD, AE B4.1, and BFX. I'll stop using it then. I'll look into something else for the Mustang as well.
Thanks,
Lynn