Mine (and others) new tire cleaning process

[justin_murphy]

I've developed a new tire cleaning/dressing process (well new to me) and thought I'd share it with the rest of you here. Most of you have already seen the multiple users (whitethunder46 and surfer to name a few) test and try this out. I've tested this for over a month on over 15 vehicles including my own. I'm a big fan of Armor All's Extreme Shine Tire Gel and Foam. Both have great durability and the cost is perfect for my customers. The foam was being used totally as a wheel well finisher when I noticed something. I would clean the wells and then spray the foam onto them. I'd come back and wipe down with a white MF mitt. I could not believe the dirt that the foam was pulling out of the plastics and rubber. So I decided to use the foam on tires as prep for the gel.

Heres what I do....

1. I clean the tires along with car as usual. I just use degreaser if bad or my left over wash water.

2. I rinse the car and tires clean. While wet, I spray the AA foam onto the tires and wheel wells. I also spray onto a clean, wet engine too. The car remaining wet helps aid in the removal of any overspray as well. I let the tires and wells dwell as I dry the car. I then come back and use a MF mitt to remove any remaining residue. You will be amazed at what dirt and grime comes out of nowhere now.

3. The tire now will appear a matte, clean, black glow. To me, I just polished aka prepped the tire for a LSP aka the AA gel. The gel now goes on so smooth and takes even less product than with a non foam prepped tire. The gel's durabililty now goes from a week (which is awesome to me for an OTC product) to full month in most cases. I only do this process on my initial detail of an auto or when I feel it needs it......just like paint prep. I know this may seem like a lengthy process to some, but prep is 90% of the game in my business. All of this is achieved from under 10.00 worth of products (Foam is 2.55 and Gel is 5.47 at my Wal-Mart). Expect to get 2-3 uses out of a can of AA foam and 50+ uses out of the AA gel depending on tire size.

****I'm currently testing the AA foam/gel system on the trim of a '99 Jeep Cherokee with tons of rubber/plastic moldings.

Please post questions or comments.

Thanks guys. You all are great!

[supercharged]

WOW! This is new to me. I think I'm going to try it out.

[sparkie]

That's what I like about AGonline, you learn something every day! Thanks you Justin!

[Whitethunder46]

It is AMAZING how long the bottle of AA Gel really lasts.
And this is the buttery smooth look

[Surfer]

Yup, you can see my post from last night. Their Tire Foam is great, I have the base version (which I think Justin has as well), the dirt and crap that it pulls out is amazing. Think it works better then tire cleaners I have, or even something like a citrus degreaser. Then it leaves a nice, black matte finish. Perfect base for any gel to go on. And it worked great on my trim, I'm going to try Pooyboys Trim Restorer (and see if it works this time) and some Armor Extreme Gel and see what ends up being better on my trim. Haven't tried it in the engine bay, but I will.

[ml13]

uh...you guy never actually clean your tires? Ive always done this except with a tire cleaner or degreaser and a tire brush, usually while im washing the vehile. Cleans off dirt and old tire dressing buildup. I thought this process was a given for most....

[calhoun1]

I believe he is referring to using a tire shine foam as a base layer for the gel in addition to cleaning.

I actually have just recently started to do this process on my own before I saw this. And now I know I have hit something. My order is a bit different thought, I clean the tires, wheels and wheel wells, spray them, and then I wash the car. In order to prevent any overspray from remaining on the paint. Then when I dry the car I take an old t-shirt and dry the tires and wells and rims and apply the gel.

I have been amazed at how long the shine is lasting

[Showroom Shine]

Thanks Justin,
I have always like the way the AA Gel performed. Minimal sling and last a good while too. I will try the foam this spring. We have snow here in Ohio now. I'm having Detail Withdrawal!

[detailgod]

to be honest it is not the product itself. it is the foam. when i use to work for stouffers cleaning the meat grinders we foamed everything and barely had to scrub. just think about it. how many of us when we were young got into dads shaving cream? everywhere that shaving cream touched before mom was able to clean it up was very clean. when my hands are real greasy i use shaving cream to wash them cause nothing else will touch the grime. so if your able to get any of your degreasers/apc to foam you will increase their cleaning abilities. not to knock your process it iwas a great discovery. i also use AA gel for those customers that want a high shine

[D&D Auto Detailing]

I wouldnt use something like that. Chances are its filled with harmful silicones and will attract dirt. Its best to use water based dressings that dry to the touch and dont leave a sticky residue behind.