Tire conditioner/dressing

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What I DO NOT want:
Something shiny, glossy, and slippery that will promptly fling all over the side of my car and/or make my tires dry out or slip and slide.

What I DO want:
Something that protects and conditions rubber. Shine and gloss are not my primary concerns, but protection from UV damage and cracking are.

Suggestions? Everything I have used in the past falls into the Thing I Do Not Want category.
 
303 Aerospace Protectant gives a very low-shine look, basically makes it appear like a new tire. It is well-regarded for its UV protection capabilities. Works well on other exterior plastics, dashboards, etc.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
303 Aerospace Protectant gives a very low-shine look, basically makes it appear like a new tire. It is well-regarded for its UV protection capabilities. Works well on other exterior plastics, dashboards, etc.


I have to try this.
 
Be careful also about using something that will dry rot your tires and cause tiny cracks all over them.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Be careful also about using something that will dry rot your tires and cause tiny cracks all over them.


...did you read my post before commenting?
 
I must point out that 303 stands up rather poorly to exterior conditions, particularly on tires. I use it on my S2000 convertible top only because it almost never sees rain, I use the Adam's Super VRT on the tires and exterior plastic (sorry OP, no UV protection, but great otherwise). 303 is outstanding for interiors but kind of a waste outside IMO.
 
303 rocks...the best product for interior panels hard and soft, dashes, on tires it has the matte non shiny look I too want. I think it lasts good on tires, just less intense than that of the foams and others maybe. I like 303 a lot...on a black interior it is amazing stuff.
 
-NoTouch Original Satin (white can)
-Surf City Garage Beyond Black
-Black Magic Titanium Matte Tire Finish
-Stoner More Shine (1 coat)

In all cases, I spray on, let soak for a min or 2, and then wipe off (even if the directions say you don't have to wipe).

You can also use up your greasy, shiny products by applying them before your start washing/hosing off your car. Spray product on tires, and then hose off when you clean your car. They shouldn't be greasy/glossy.
 
+1 on 303. As for it's longevity. I primarily bought it for my soft top which works well but did not last as long as it did on my tires. As with most protective products, including wax you'll get best longevity if you clean out the old stuff gunked up on it before applying.

INO... Be liberal with the tire cleaner and let it dry the very 1st time you apply it. Don't use the wheel cleaner afterwards... just your car wash soap and you will need to reapply. However it's so easy to apply like every other wash that it's protection is worth it over time.
 
I use Meguiar's Hot Shine spray, I forget which. If I apply it and leave it alone, it's the typical glossy, messy tire shine that flings and slings.

I apply it with a sponge and then wipe off the excess with a shop towel. This mutes the shine somewhat and eliminates slinging. I've been using Hot Shine spray since ~2004 and my tires have not cracked. Keep it off the tread and you'll be fine.
 
Hate to burst the 303 bubble here but there's basically nothing that separates 303 Aerospace from Armor All, STP Protectant, Finish 2001 and all those other milky watery thin protectants.

They're all identical emulsions of silicones. Except for the reformulated Armor All which now contains added thickening agents but is still essentially just the same silicone emulsion.

303 Aerospace basically suffers from Chivas Regal Effect but there's no magic ingredient in it that differentiates it from the others.

I'm not making this up there's even a Meguiar's Rep on this thread saying essentially the same thing. The only thing that differentiates the different silicone emulsion protectants is the amount of shine they leave behind. But you can control that by wiping and buffing off Armor All for less shine. Essentially the same directions 303 uses to achieve its low shine results.

http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/detail-shop/25914-303-protectant-vs-armor-all.html
 
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I hate Armor All. It leaves everything feeling like it's covered in snot.

I don't have that problem with 303. *shrug*

That said, I find myself using less and less of such products. They tend to attract dust (especially AA) and can cause glare problems on dash boards and such. Most times, I just wipe off the dust from the surface or use some wash solution if the surface is dirty.
 
Buff the Armor All off with a microfiber and simply apply less, another benefit is you'll get more applications by applying less. You'll get low sheen and similar slickness to 303. If it feels like you're leaving a noticeable layer you're using too much, 303 is basically the same as Armor All but in reality it's actually more watered down hence why it's "less shine" and "less slick" it's because it's simply less protectant and more water.

Armor All is very high concentration silicones, 25-30%. 303 is about 5% you're essentially paying $16 a bottle for Armor All that's been watered down 5 to 1.
 
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Originally Posted By: strat81
I hate Armor All. It leaves everything feeling like it's covered in snot.

I don't have that problem with 303. *shrug*

That said, I find myself using less and less of such products. They tend to attract dust (especially AA) and can cause glare problems on dash boards and such. Most times, I just wipe off the dust from the surface or use some wash solution if the surface is dirty.


I don't like products that leave a shiny, greasy finish either. Most of the time in my cars I use Wool-Lite diluted in water just to leave a clean surface, but when I use chemicals I've used 1z Cockpit Premium (does not leave a shiny finish). In between cleanings I do whatyou do and just dust the interior with a Swiffer or microfiber towel The nice thing about Wool-Lite is that it's also good on leather, making it easy to get the oils and grime off of your steering wheel.
 
303 is a dust magnet and I wouldn't use it on tires...the best tire dressing I've ever used is Stoner's More Shine Less Time...
 
Since I purchased some 303 with an Amazon gift card, I've been using it. I honestly can't see any difference between it and Meguiar's Natural Shine; if I put 303 on a driver's side front tire and NS on the rear tire, once both have dried they look the same to me. And 303 doesn't seem to last any longer, or stand up to rain any better, than NS.
 
Originally Posted By: SF0059
This is the very best thing I have ever used on tires:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/vinyl+rubber+dressing+8+ounces.do?sortby=ourPicks

It is water based and leaves a natural satin sheen. As it wears it leaves the tire looking like pristine rubber and doesn't attract road dust. I've had that 8 oz bottle for about a year and I'm not even half way through it. A little bit goes a long way!


This looks like the only thing that is more of a conditioner than a shiny dressing that is easily available and inexpensive. I'll give it a try when I do my spring wax.
 
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