Tire - "WeatherChecking"

[JAMAS]

There have been ALOT of tire threads recently, so I figured I would add yet another one.

My Wife's Galant has some mild "weatherchecking" around the outside of the tire. According to the tire place that looked at them, I should have no reason to be concerned. So I am probably going to keep them on until I get winter tires in December. So my question for all you tire experts out there is....

Should I be concerned about the mild weatherchecking going on right now? That car is the one that carries my Wife and Son so I want to be safe.

Second, is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening on the next set of tires that I buy for her? I was reading something about SunBlock for Tires, anyone heard of that?

[tom4bren]

Here's some reading for ya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking

It doesn't provide anything in terms of any aftermarket treatments to prevent it but I would think that you could check the labels of tire products at your local car shop to see if anything is listed for protection against ozone.

BTW, click on the external links at the bottom for more reading (something from General tire on the subject).

Here's one product that specifically mentions prevention of cracking by adding a anti-ozone polymer agent. I'm not endorsing this product, just giving a lead on searching for a product that will meet your requirements.

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_list.cfm?sectionname=Consumer%20(Meguiar's %20Brand)%3ETire%20Care&sectionID=18101

[Ldub]

http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=16540

Then check the date(s) to see how old they are.

That's some pretty precious cargo...take no chances.

[VX KAT]

Learned about a product from the travel trailer forum we belong to....it's called "303 Aerospace protectant" and has a SPF of 40. Can be used on rubber, tires, matte plastic, plastic windows. I put it on the VX tires and our trailer tires 2 weeks ago, doesn't have ANY stickiness at all so no dirt sticking to tire. These folks have used it for years, so I figure it can't hurt.....
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/65/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm

[JAMAS]

I love this forum!

[tom4bren]

KAT,

Maybe we need to start using that stuff on our headlights.

I always thought that tire cracking was caused by UV (we always called it 'dry rot'). The wikipedia reference indicates that it is caused by ozone attacking the rubber. The product you gave the URL for doesn't list any anti-ozonant additive.

Tom

[VX KAT]

KAT,

Maybe we need to start using that stuff on our headlights.

I always thought that tire cracking was caused by UV (we always called it 'dry rot'). The wikipedia reference indicates that it is caused by ozone attacking the rubber. The product you gave the URL for doesn't list any anti-ozonant additive.

Tom

Yeah, I noticed that too, maybe I'll shoot them an email and see if they can give me any more info. Probably doesn't do anything to protect against ozone, but figured the SPF is better then nothing. Isn't SPF protecting against UV rays? If wiki is correct, then this doesn't really do anything to protect our tires. It does give them a rich black look, not shiny at all, makes them look like "new", fresh rubber, with zero stickiness and nothing rubs off on your cloths.

Good idea, I think I will put it on the headlights! :thumbup: I put PLEXUS on them before, but just read that can and it doesn't say anything about UV or SPF protection, so I'm going to switch over to 303 on the headlights.

[tom4bren]

Yeah, I noticed that too, maybe I'll shoot them an email and see if they can give me any more info. Probably doesn't do anything to protect against ozone, but figured the SPF is better then nothing. Isn't SPF protecting against UV rays? If wiki is correct, then this doesn't really do anything to protect our tires. It does give them a rich black look, not shiny at all, makes them look like "new", fresh rubber, with zero stickiness and nothing rubs off on your cloths.

Good idea, I think I will put it on the headlights! :thumbup: I put PLEXUS on them before, but just read that can and it doesn't say anything about UV or SPF protection, so I'm going to switch over to 303 on the headlights.

Let us know how it works on the headlights & maybe put it in the 'tech tips' section.

I think that UV does in fact cause 'surface' or 'cosmetic' degradation to tires (makes em look brownish rather than black). Maybe the best bet would be to alternate between the 2 products or use 303 first then spray with the meguires. Just thinkin outside the box.

[etlsport]

jamas, do you have any photos of the cracking? generally if i only see cracking around the shoulder of the tire, i dont recommend new tires unless the cracks are large enough to fit the edge of a coin into

when you see cracking in between the treads of the tires or right around the rim, thats when i start to get concerned

i think UV must have at least a small part of it, ive never seen a spare tire mounted under a vehicle with dry rot on it:_confused

[JAMAS]

jamas, do you have any photos of the cracking? generally if i only see cracking around the shoulder of the tire, i dont recommend new tires unless the cracks are large enough to fit the edge of a coin into

when you see cracking in between the treads of the tires or right around the rim, thats when i start to get concerned

i think UV must have at least a small part of it, ive never seen a spare tire mounted under a vehicle with dry rot on it:_confused

I will take some pictures this evening. The tread looks great, just the shoulder has the cracks. I will take a picture of the worst of it and if you say I am good, I will trust your judgment and hang onto these tires a bit longer.

Thanks!

[tom4bren]

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/generaltire/transport/themes/generaluniversity/tire_talk/sidewall_ozone_en.html

mentions that a company called Bandage Inc has a card that 'grades' the cracking. I'll see if they have a downloadable version.

EDIT:

Sorry, I struck out. I can't find anything on that company & can't find anything on any gauges to determine severity of 'dry rot'.

On the funny side: I was helping a buddy of mine fix a tire on his (severely neglected) trailer. The dry rot was so bad that he had Fix-A-Flat coming out of the cracks. I was literally ROFL.

[Ldub]

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/generaltire/transport/themes/generaluniversity/tire_talk/sidewall_ozone_en.html

mentions that a company called Bandag Inc has a card that 'grades' the cracking. I'll see if they have a downloadable version.

EDIT:

Sorry, I struck out. I can't find anything on that company & can't find anything on any gauges to determine severity of 'dry rot'.

On the funny side: I was helping a buddy of mine fix a tire on his (severely neglected) trailer. The dry rot was so bad that he had Fix-A-Flat coming out of the cracks. I was literally ROFL.

Here's a vid of the Bandag retread process...:smack:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3963466316154427181

I had almost forgot the time during my mis-spent yoot that I worked in a Bandag facility. They never let me do any of the cool stuff, like running the buffer, but I did work the tread cutting table for a while...ahhhh memories.

Thanks Tom...:thanx:

[Cobrajet]

Here's a vid of the Bandag retread process...:smack:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3963466316154427181That video makes me feel much more comfortable on the highway around truckers that may be running Bandag "Application Specific" re-tread tires -- NOT!!

Makes me wonder if those big chuncks of tire tread I have to dodge are from retreads or new tires. Also, whether tread failure is from normal use or low pressure/puncture. I'm sure there are studies on this, but I'm saving what little eyesight I have left for reading this forum. :)

[Ldub]

That video makes me feel much more comfortable on the highway around truckers that may be running Bandag "Application Specific" re-tread tires -- NOT!!

Makes me wonder if those big chuncks of tire tread I have to dodge are from retreads or new tires. Also, whether tread failure is from normal use or low pressure/puncture. I'm sure there are studies on this, but I'm saving what little eyesight I have left for reading this forum. :)

Having worked there, I'd say 90%+ of the "gators" you see along the roadside are from re-treads.

But that's just opinion on my part, I don't have any studies to back that up...:smilewink

[Ldub]

Learned about a product from the travel trailer forum we belong to....it's called "303 Aerospace protectant" and has a SPF of 40. Can be used on rubber, tires, matte plastic, plastic windows. I put it on the VX tires and our trailer tires 2 weeks ago, doesn't have ANY stickiness at all so no dirt sticking to tire.
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/65/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm
http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant
I've had a spray bottle of 303 in the Dubvault for almost a year.
I can't even remember where I got it...:mbrasd:
But after seeing Kat's post, & since TLMP & I were spiffin' up the wheels, (yes, she helps me polish the centerlines...did I mention: What A Woman!:heart:) I dug the 303 out & gave it a try...SWEET!

Leaves the tires looking like tires...BLACK! Not slimy & shiny looking, like most of todays tire dressings, just flat black...ME LIKEY!..:thumbup:...:thumbup:

Thanks for jogging my memory Sue...:thanx:

Edit...looks like VX'rs been using it for a while...http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2847&highlight=303+protectant

[rowhard]

it's called "303 Aerospace protectant" Good stuff, started using it long time ago as a sun blocker on my carbon fiber skulls (oars) I used with my rowing shell.

[VX KAT]

http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant
I've had a spray bottle of 303 in the Dubvault for almost a year.

"Dubvault".....E-gads...wonder what else is in there? :eek::eek::eek:

I started spraying it on a bunch of stuff yesterday....the list of things you can use it on is extensive....did the metal patio furniture, plastic hose reel holder, all the cars lens covers front & rear, fog light, side markers, basically I went nuts on anything plastic on the exterior of the cars...keep re-reading the instructions and keep finding more things to put it on for the sun protection factor.

Went thru a car wash and the tires (that were treated 2 weeks ago) came out like Dub said, flat black, like brand new rubber....AND the best part, absolutely NO dirt/dust stuck to them from the dirt road...they're still perfectly flat black and rich looking....actually repels dirt and grim just like it says on the bottle! I love it!

It's pretty much odor-free, it's non-toxic and seems almost too good to be true....