Tire Cleaning Process

[AustrianOak82]

So, I am looking for some input on tire cleaning. For the most part, I have been successful spraying some 4:1 APC on the tires, letting it soak for about a minute, then hitting it with an aqua carpet brush on my GG polisher. After this, I follow-up with some APC on a towel and wipe, then I spray it down with water and wipe again with a different towel. I usually end up with a flat black tire.

I had a car the other day that I did the above steps on, and also added my Turtle Wax Tire Cleaner (comes with sealant kit). After doing the above steps 4-5 times, I was still left with a brown tire. Nothing I did could seem to get the brown out. I also power washed the tires. I was left with brown tires and several soiled terry cloth towels. Guessing they just had some heavily embedded dirt or they were cheap tires?

I am looking for some input/tips on general tire cleaning and what possibly went wrong above. I have used APC, Brown Royal, and the Turtle Wax product but can't seem to find a tire specific cleaner that I like. I have always been a huge fan of Meguiar's Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner, but I wouldn't want to use that since I do tire sealant pretty regularly. Any product or workflow recommendations? Thanks.

[Mike Phillips]

I'd say you've done the most a person can do.

While I've never come across a tire that had brown staining or tire blooming that couldn't be removed with enough cleaning I have read on this forum from people that have a story that's similar to your story.

Machine scrubbing with a green Cyclo brush on a Griot's polisher is about a good as it gets when it comes to getting a tire sidewall surgically clean.


For those that will read this into the future that don't know what we're talking about, here's my article on this topic. This is the short version, click the link to see all the pictures and read the entire article.



Best darn tire cleaning brush I've ever used! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/62454-best-darn-tire-cleaning-brush-i-ve-ever-used.html)



Machine Scrubbing Tires

Yep, the Porter Cable with a Cyclo brush mounted to it instead of the backing plate! Takes ALL the elbow grease out of getting old, slimy tire dressings off, blooming, (the brown residue that builds-up when antiozonants meet ozone in the air), and deteriorated dead rubber.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1808/Best_Tire_Brush_005.jpg



There are 4 different brushes available so you can choose the aggressiveness of the brush bristles for your scrubbing job...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1808/Best_Tire_Brush_008.jpg



On Autogeek.net

Cyclo Polisher Brushes (http://www.autogeek.net/cyclo-brushes.html)






At this point you can either try cleaning more and more or stick a fork in and and call the cleaning step done and apply your dressing or coating of choice.



:)

[AustrianOak82]

Thanks Mike! I actually read this the other day. After I did this last one, it did leave me wondering. Every time I've used the machine to do the work, the product has dried up by the time I make my circle back around the tire. I wondered if I was actually hindering my progress by just massaging the loose dirt back into the tire. What do you think?

Good post, although I was a little sad that there were not a bunch of after photos of the Monte Carlo SS. I had one in high school and it's one of my favorite cars of all time!

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks Mike! I actually read this the other day. After I did this last one, it did leave me wondering. Every time I've used the machine to do the work, the product has dried up by the time I make my circle back around the tire. I wondered if I was actually hindering my progress by just massaging the loose dirt back into the tire. What do you think?

Good post, although I was a little sad that there were not a bunch of after photos of the Monte Carlo SS. I had one in high school and it's one of my favorite cars of all time!


Two things....

I don't try to machine scrub the tire all at once but do sections at a time for the reason you pointed out and that's the tire cleaner will dry up on you.

I don't see it as a problem though, just wash the tire really well afterwards with water and either your car wash soap or a light misting of your tire cleaner.

I find that after all the scrubbing is done that simply washing with normal car wash soap as a follow-up step loosens all the gunk that the previous rinsing didn't remove and washes it off.


As for the Monte Carlo.... you just have to know where to look. This was and extreme makeover car using RUPES and BLACKFIRE. And don't take my word for it... click the link to see just how WIPED OUT this car really was.


1987 Monte Carlo Extreme Makeover with Rupes and Blackfire BlackICE (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/62491-1987-monte-carlo-extreme-makeover-rupes-blackfire-blackice.html)


After shot....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1804/1987_Monte_Carlo_039.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Here's another article I was able to get out of this car....


How to clean fender wells the lazy way! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/62725-how-clean-fender-wells-lazy-way.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[CDot]

Here's another article I was able to get out of this car....


How to clean fender wells the lazy way! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/62725-how-clean-fender-wells-lazy-way.html)



:xyxthumbs:

My preferred method :-)