BrianS
03-04-2001, 02:43 PM
Here's some information for anyone with a Classic Car or "Toy" that only gets taken out at weekends or less. I have neither, I'm afraid....but maybe one day soon.
When cars are left standing for extended periods of time, the tyres can dry out, split, discolour - you might even get dry rot. There are two main culprits at work here - Ozone and Ultra-Violet light. When these two combine together, they attack the tyre polymer (- the building blocks that keep it together) When the tyre polymer is being manufactured, a stabilizer molecule is added to it called a "competitive absorber". The science at work here is that the UV radiation is captured, absorbed and converted into heat, which dissipates harmlessly. All tyre manufacturers use the same absorber - Carbon Black. This why tyres don't come in Designer colours. (Could you picture those Man Utd Red Tyres!! - Just joking, of course)
These absorbers are "sacrificial". As they do their job turning UV to heat, they expend themselves. As Carbon Black loses its ability to perform, it turns grey. This is one reason why tyres discolour as they age.
Tyre manufacturers also add a wax compound, to their formulae to protect from ozone. Tires flex when they are in motion, causing the wax molecules to migrate to the surface. This forms a protective barrier between the air (ozone and oxygen) and the tire polymer. In the tire trade this is called "blooming".
When tires are parked for extended periods, blooming does not occur and ozone starts attacking the polymer. With UV light and ozone working in concert, the degradation is accelerated, resulting in drying, discoloration and cracking.
This information is from some research I did a while back. My source of information was neutral on what to use as a protectant, and I'm not sure who the best one is. What I do recommend is the following:
Dedicate a sponge or a wash pad to your tyres alone.
After washing, dry them with a towel completely before applying any dressings.
Let the dressing soak and penetrate it well before wiping off any excess liquid.
Always wipe overspray off the wheels or body panels immediately. Like other applications to your car - wax, window cleaner, etc - its better to put the protector on the applicator and use it to wipe the tyre.
If you have any recommendations for tyre care, do let us all know.
Take care out there,
Brian
When cars are left standing for extended periods of time, the tyres can dry out, split, discolour - you might even get dry rot. There are two main culprits at work here - Ozone and Ultra-Violet light. When these two combine together, they attack the tyre polymer (- the building blocks that keep it together) When the tyre polymer is being manufactured, a stabilizer molecule is added to it called a "competitive absorber". The science at work here is that the UV radiation is captured, absorbed and converted into heat, which dissipates harmlessly. All tyre manufacturers use the same absorber - Carbon Black. This why tyres don't come in Designer colours. (Could you picture those Man Utd Red Tyres!! - Just joking, of course)
These absorbers are "sacrificial". As they do their job turning UV to heat, they expend themselves. As Carbon Black loses its ability to perform, it turns grey. This is one reason why tyres discolour as they age.
Tyre manufacturers also add a wax compound, to their formulae to protect from ozone. Tires flex when they are in motion, causing the wax molecules to migrate to the surface. This forms a protective barrier between the air (ozone and oxygen) and the tire polymer. In the tire trade this is called "blooming".
When tires are parked for extended periods, blooming does not occur and ozone starts attacking the polymer. With UV light and ozone working in concert, the degradation is accelerated, resulting in drying, discoloration and cracking.
This information is from some research I did a while back. My source of information was neutral on what to use as a protectant, and I'm not sure who the best one is. What I do recommend is the following:
Dedicate a sponge or a wash pad to your tyres alone.
After washing, dry them with a towel completely before applying any dressings.
Let the dressing soak and penetrate it well before wiping off any excess liquid.
Always wipe overspray off the wheels or body panels immediately. Like other applications to your car - wax, window cleaner, etc - its better to put the protector on the applicator and use it to wipe the tyre.
If you have any recommendations for tyre care, do let us all know.
Take care out there,
Brian