Tire protection.

downtheroad wrote:
Just asking...since I hear/read it. Is Armor All actually bad for tires?...can cause them to crack prematurely...?

Yes it is bad for tires or dashes etc. It seals up the pores and the gases from the plastics and rubber compounds do somewhat like concrete. It cracks all over. Most MH tires have a lot of UV protection but...
The best protection is to use the tires and work the rubber compounds and allow the oils etc to circulate and vent.
Park with the tires on wood or plastic and cover to protect directly from the elements. Good idea to block as much UV and heating from the sun ,on the same side, of the same tires, day in and day out.
I saw a couple who put plywood cutouts on the Driver's side of of their pick up, in the driveway. It was parked there most, of the time and that side faced the hot evening sun from the west.

downtheroad wrote:
Just asking...since I hear/read it. Is Armor All actually bad for tires?...can cause them to crack prematurely...?

Yes it is bad for tires or dashes etc. It seals up the pores and the gases from the plastics and rubber compounds do somewhat like concrete. It cracks all over. Most MH tires have a lot of UV protection but...
The best protection is to use the tires and work the rubber compounds and allow the oils etc to circulate and vent.
Park with the tires on wood or plastic and cover to protect directly from the elements. Good idea to block as much UV and heating from the sun ,on the same side, of the same tires, day in and day out.
I saw a couple who put plywood cutouts on the Driver's side of of their pick up, in the driveway. It was parked there most, of the time and that side faced the hot evening sun from the west.

FWIU the protectants are to help shield the tire from degradation caused by UV light and ozone when they are not in use. I don't use anything but have considered it.

I'm wondering why one needs to apply anything to tires. Modern tires are made with chemicals inherent in the mix that work from the inside out when the material is flexed, one of the reasons that regular use of the tires is important. Have never seen any documented evidence that something sprayed on the outside accomplishes anything except make them very temporarily purtier and as has been noted, some of the stuff is downright harmful.

scarpi wrote:
I've read that anything that contains petroleum distillates should not be used on tires.

Good info.
Very perceptive writers (and reader)!

Before Michelin came out with their own tire care products, 303 was
the only acceptable (Michelin) tire treatment.

Admit to using Armor All and your warranty was history.

A friend had a shop dedicated to "exotics" in the 1970s.
The Armor All "no-no" to his customers was at the top of his care criteria.

Caveat:
The brand has changed owners at least twice in recent years.
The formula for Armor All may have been "cleaned-up" (revised) as it was common knowledge *not* to use Armor All on tires, upholstery, etc. - due to the petroleum products in the product.

Although the Armor All site FAQs would seem to indicate petro is still there..:(

303 and other choices are out there - users just have to do a bit of research on the contents..;)

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I've read that anything that contains petroleum distillates should not be used on tires.

I've used No Touch Tire Care spray on for the last 25 years on all tires on my trucks/cars and various trailers/ blue tractor tires/zero turn and Cub Cadet garden tractor tires/all boat trailer tires and the black plastic trim and air dams on my vehicles.

It usually last about 3-4 washing at the car wash. Great stuff.

http://303products.com/product-uses/tire-tech-facts
They seem to think it will work... Then again, there are plenty of companies that make "tire shine" stuff that actually harms the tire.

old guy wrote:
I might be wrong here but it seems to me that I had read an article that even 303 is bad for tires or any thing rubber for that matter. I am surprised they still sell that stuff.

You are - wrong here..:(

You're confusing 303 with Armor All which contains petroleum products.

Of course, you could re-locate the article and post a link.........:W

~

On edit, FAQs for each avail on the product's web sites -

Armor All:
"Armor All Extreme Tire Shine products contain silicone, petroleum solvent and a fragrance."

303 Aerospace Protectant:
"303 Aerospace Protectant is a water based proprietary formula that contains NO petroleum distillates, alcohol, mineral oil or harmful silicone oil."


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A vote against Armor all!