DIY - Car Care & Detailing thread

What about Shoe polish. Going to test it in my Punto.

 

Has anyone tried DURAGLOSS products ?
here are few pics with reviewhttp://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/45555-review-duragloss-rinseless-wash-w-aquawax-tlc-auto-detail.html

 

i have been using turtle Car wax it is extremely good and keep the shine for long one good about this when tires get dirtied due rain or slush a jet of water clears and tires look black and new.

 

Dear Dr. Amit Shah...

Would you mind sharing the contact details of this agency? I am from ahmedabad too and it will be helpful to me as well..

Regards,

Neel

 

How is waxpol dashboard polish/shine ?
VINYL & DASHBOARD POLISH
any other brands for dashboard shine ?

 

No the tire polish doesnt reduce the durability but depends on the chemical composition of the brand used. Read the stuff below for better understanding of the "why" aspect!

Thats good as far as the wash/cleaning aspect go, but you need to follow it with conditioning to prevent tire rubber (sidewall) from cracking. (because the detergents also wash away the very wax molecules or any such synthetic composition(might vary from manufacturer to manufacturer) from the rubber surface which protect them against ozone! (reasons mentioned below)



Left alone, tires and other exterior rubber will fade, crack and eventually lose their mechanical properties through Mother Nature.Early damage may be seen as a general fading of the black color and eventual cracking of the tire sidewall. Manufacturers protect the rubber against UV * with the addition of a stabilizer molecule called a "competitive absorber"* to the tire polymer called carbon black(specially structured particles of carbon) and that's...black. Carbon black is a reinforcing filler that is highly resistant to abrasion. It is made from oil and is the reason tires are black. It works by capturing and absorbing UV radiation and converting it into heat to be dissipated. In time, as the carbon black wears off, the rubber will turn gray. (just look at some tires roasting in the sun in some junkyard) .These competitive absorbers are sacrificial, meaning eventually they get used up. As carbon black loses its ability to perform, the rubber turns gray. This is one reason that black tires discolor as they age. Actually, rubber in its natural states is light grey in color.
*UV attacks rubber through a process called photo-degradation (similar to the way UV light oxidizes paint).

The second enemy degrading tires and other synthetic rubber parts is ozone, a colorless gas that is part of the air we breathe. When ozone combines with UV light, a reaction occurs that attacks the rubber polymers resulting in drying, discoloration and cracking.The second protective layer manufacturers use in tires are special waxes,polymers toward off the ozone. Tires flex when in motion, causing these wax molecules to migrate toward the surface. This forms a protective barrier between the air and the tire polymer. A white powder-like coating forms on the rubber surface. This is called "blooming". When tires are parked for extended periods, blooming does not occur and ozone starts attacking the tire polymer. The wax protection becomes a major concern only if the car is stationary for long periods of time. The protective wax wears off with time as it is continually deployed against the ever-present ozone.

CLEANING OF TIRES-

Now let's look at how we can maintain our tires and trim. The first step to stabilize the compound and reclaim the original tire luster is a thorough tire cleaning. Select a non-acid ("basic" pH >7.0) wheel cleaner or a natural citrus-based degreaser. Also, use a soft, flexible wheel brush to get the full effectiveness of these cleaners. Incase you've just mounted new tires on your car, you must first remove the mold release agent or else your dressing won't absorb (this leads to short durability and splotchiness of the dressing). The mold release agent is similar to the wax on wax paper and must be dissolved with a solvent based cleaner followed by a "basic" wheel cleaner or degreaser. Repeat the procedure until the tires are squeaky clean.

CONDITIONING- PROTECTION

The second step to restore the natural luster is the application of a high quality rubber dressing containing UV stabilizers which supplement the UV-protection action in the carbon black. Although exterior rubber requires a very durable dressing, it must not jeopardize the integrity of the compound.

BE VARY : Many of today's dressings do nothing more than provide a short term greasy shine (they are usually clear and greasy similar to baby oil). They are usually a mix of kerosene/mineral spirits and dimethal silicone oil. These petroleum distillates act to strip away the protective waxes from the tires and not only do nothing to protect the surface, but actually degrade it.

You can help the tire live longer, so to speak, by treating it with rubber dressing containing an UV-protection agent, but make sure it doesn't have any raw silicone oil. Paradoxically, if the dressing that is supposed to protect the rubber contains that oil it will actually destroy the wax layer. Raw silicone oil might make the tires shine, but they actually decrease the lifespan. Also if choosing a dressing with silicone content,make sure that the dressing contains "good" silicone (of the amino or siloxane functional family). These are "non-migratory" or "dry". And finally,make sure the dressing you choose does not contain formaldehyde. Tire dressings are designed to protect the tire, restore essential moisture,and condition the rubber.Make sure to spray the tire wall only and not the tread, which would put you at risk for skidding on the road. If you get the protective Chemical on the rims, wipe it off immediately. Use a cloth to spread the conditioner evenly over the tire walls. Wipe the shine in the same direction around the tire to keep a uniform appearance. Use a clean cloth to touch up the rims if you overspray.

 

Thanks Herbie for a eyeopening post. It was very informative.