IPA Tires

**DogRescuer** · 06-17-2013, 08:27 PM

Does anyone IPA their tires before dressing them, and if so why or why not? Thanks.

**Boudin** · 06-17-2013, 08:43 PM

I do, after cleaning them, as a final wipe before applying Tuff Shine. Figure it needs as clean a surface as possible to bond. Has worked great.

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**Anthony@zerboautoworks** · 06-17-2013, 08:44 PM

Isopropyl alcohol dries out rubber.

**DogRescuer** · 06-17-2013, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Anthony@zerboautoworks

Isopropyl alcohol dries out rubber.

Thats where my head was, but I wasnt sure.

**Shtexas** · 06-17-2013, 08:59 PM

The majority of tires are made from some ratio of SBR. SBR is considered resistant to alcohol. Long term exposure would reduce the elasticity though and eventually cause make them dry out. A quick wipedown though before dressing them wouldn't hurt.

**PiPUK** · 06-18-2013, 03:22 AM

Mostly IPA is used for the removal of light residual oils. In practice, a great many tyre dressings contain such oils so they will do very little harm. The key is making sure that the wheels are cleaned.

**rwisejr** · 06-18-2013, 05:51 AM

I use Stoners Tarminator for this purpose it cleans the tires extremely well. Amazing Roll off is also a great tire cleaner.

**PiPUK** · 06-18-2013, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by rwisejr

I use Stoners Tarminator for this purpose it cleans the tires extremely well. Amazing Roll off is also a great tire cleaner.

I would urge caution here, strong solvent degreasers will clean but can often stain and damage rubbers. Anyone trying this needs to do a spot test to check that it doesn't leave the rubber a nasty brown colour.