"Paint Your Wagon," Maybe, But Leave the Tires Alone
It's the kind of thing that might appeal to the Imelda Marcos among the RV set: Those nice tires we keep under our trailers, tow vehicles, or motorhomes. Everybody likes those "shoes" to look good. But how do you best do it?A few days ago we heard about an RVer who was told one of the best ways to keep his rig's tires looking good was to give them a good "paint" of transmission fluid. Whoa! "Oh, yeah, shines 'em right up!" Maybe so, but it's an awful expensive exercise tire "makeup." Tires are pretty peculiar beasts, and like the man says, you've got an awful lot riding on them to be making mistakes. Painting your tires with transmission fluid is a definite way to wind up paying dearly. The oil in tranny fluid will cause them to rapidly deteriorate, with possible disastrous consequences.
OK, how about some of those nice silicon containing spray on potions? Years ago we were in the upholstery repair trade--fixing vinyl seats in restaurants and on car lots. A lot of folks got snookered into spraying "Armor All" on their seats. Made them shiny and slick, and it brought us a lot of business because the stuff dried the material out, and cracks are a result of drying out. Tires are somewhat the same: Tire makers put chemicals into their tires to keep them from drying out. Put oils or other chemicals on them to make 'em look nice, but counteract the internal chemicals, the tire dries out, cracks, and pretty soon they deteriorate.
We attended a training seminar at an Escapee's RV convention a couple of years back. The featured speaker was "retired from the tire industry." His advice? When you're sitting put in one place for a while, COVER the tires to keep the UV rays off them. Don't put ANYTHING on them to "treat them." If you don't like how they look, then wash them with soapy water and rinse them off. His years of insider experience taught the lesson, there's nothing on the market that you can spray on or paint on that will preserve them, and most will actually do harm.
Viking courtesy www.phillipmartin.info
Labels: tires, weather checking
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
1:01 PM
11 Comments:
I disagree with the observation about the silicon sprays drying out and cracking tires! Maybe it did the VINYL seats, but I used Armour All and Son of a Gun silicon sprays for 9 years on my RUBBER tires, and it worked fabulously!!! For 3 years, my Class A RV was in storage in Denver on pavement. The first thing I did was to put wood underneath the tires to prevent the heat from wicking up into the tires, which significantly ages and cracks them. I did NOT cover the tires, but I DID spray all of the tires HEAVILY once per month with the silicon sprays, even on the treads and insides of the tires. I did NOT wash them! The spray soaked deeply into the tires and kept them soft and pliable--for 9 years, even wile I was "on the road" for the remaining 6 years! They were still in GREAT shape when I sold the MH several years ago.
In fact, I have used the silicon sprays on the dashes of ALL my cars, and the insides of the doors, with NO cracking or other detrimental effects what-so-ever! All the surfaces I have used them on, even the rubber gaskets around the windows, have remained supple and beautiful! Perhaps the OTHER cleaners that were used on the inside VINYLS did the cracking, not the silicon sprays?
Comparing experiences with VINYL SEATS inside vehicles (magnified by the sun/heat) and buildings is NOT the same as using it on RUBBER tires out in the environment. MY personal experience for 9 YEARS says that the silicon sprays DO WORK and WORK WELL in preserving the integrity of the rubber in the tires. It was a wise investment on my part, as the tires were as SUPPLE and beautiful when I sold the MH as the day I bought them!
KW
PS. I have zero affiliation with silicon manufacturers! I simply wanted to add my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF 9 YEARS to the information.
By
Anonymous, at 8:50 AM
I agree with K.W.'s opinion, I have used Armour All and other similiar products since there entrance on the market.
I have used the products on all my vehicles tires, dashes, convertable top and never had any problems.
As I see it, the article will invite critisim good and bad..
By
Anonymous, at 12:56 PM
At all of the tire seminars at the numerous rallies, Goodyear reps state that the new Goodyear G670RV has built-in chemicals that reduce the adverse effects of the atmosphere. They don't need any additional sprays or tire conditioners - it's best to leave them alone or use soap and water to clean the tires!
By
Anonymous, at 7:40 PM
According to the people at Michelin you should not use Armour All or anything containing petroleum. I use 303 to protect from UV rays. It contains no petroleum. I had a dash crack from ArmourAll.
By
Phil, at 12:24 AM
Keep your tires clean, and periodically apply 303 protectant. I've used that product for many years, and never had sidewall cracking.
Armorall contains silicon, which many manufacturers advise avoiding on rubber and plastic.
By
Anonymous, at 4:36 PM
Why is it that when both manufacturers and independent testing entities say, "Don't use anything", that so many people resist change? Could it be, oh, I don't know, sheer vanity and stubborness?
By
Anonymous, at 8:03 PM
I had a set of Michelins on my 95 class A motor home. They were 7 years old. I never put anything on them nor did I cover them. The motor home was only driven 4000 miles a year. it sat for 11 months of the year in Nevada and Arizona. I had a Blow out on a trip to Texas. It was on the passenger side front. It took the part of the fender off. I wonder if putting some sort of protective spray or silicon would have prevented this? I now cover my tires but do nothing else to them when parked. I now change tires every 5 years regardless of mileage.
Learned the hard way.
By
Anonymous, at 9:00 AM
Silicon can't be all bad as Auto Manufactures recommend spraying the door & Trunk Gaskets with it as part of the Lubrication Maintenance Items.
By
Anonymous, at 5:58 PM
As long as you continously use the armour all, you will not have any probelms. It is when you stop using the product that all the cracking starts. It is kind of like hand lotion. Use lotion all the time and your hands will stay nice and soft. Stop using the lotion and cracking starts. No different with vinyl and rubber. I personnally don't use the products because I don't ewant to be stuck using them all the time.
By
TB, at 9:20 AM
I think a lot of people are arguing over a lost cause. Every geographic location has different weather, humidity & sunshine. We here in Arizona will mostly cover our tires because it is well known that UV rays often cause damage on the inside of the tire, faster than any cracks on the outside. The sun is at an angle most of the time, that directs harmful UV rays onto your tires, no matter which direction you park. Add the high heat and drying winds and you end up replacing your tires more often if you don't cover them, regardless of what you "paint" them with.
By
desertratdan, at 8:48 AM
The last comment is wise, different locations make a difference. Example: if you are in Phoenix, ground level Ozone is so high, stored tires will not last more than 3 years, the rubber will not appear rotted, but, it is. If your far out in the desert or woods, you have less ozone, but, still have sun rays. Also note, any petroleum product will weaken rubber products, if Armor All is all silicon, it should work nicely without harm, it is simple chemistry, but it is expensive, anyone know of a good cheeper version?
By
LARRYD, at 8:03 AM
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