Tire/Rubber preserver???

[eric1ono]

Checking to see if anyone out there knows of a good tire/rubber preserver that I could apply to my TRX tires to help minimize/slow down dry rotting. I'm running 17" tires for daily driving, but I have the original TRX rims that came with the M with very nice 415 TRX tires and would like to preserve them as best I can in case I want to put them on for a show.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Eric

[volac]

I've heard great things about a German product called Gummi Pflege. However, I think it's used for door seals and the like, not big objects like tires, but if you bought enough it would probably work.

http://www.z3bimmer.com/OffTopic/E24Bimmer/Gummi/

[e24pilot]

303 Aerospace Protector - Google for the 5-gallon jug. Use it on ALL rubber/plastic/etc. There is simply NOTHING that comes close to the magic that 303 will do.

You can buy smaller quart and gallon jugs, but I bought a 5 gallon a few years ago and have given/sold enough to friends to pay for it. :) Plus I've still got a couple gallons left for myself.

For those of you who haven't experienced the 303 difference, you are in for a real treat. It is basically incredibly effective sunscreen for anything petroleum-based (wood too).

[CW6er]

+1 on the 303, it is water based as recommended. Stay away from ArmorAll or anything with petrochemicals or silicone. Keep the tires at proper inflation. Heat and lack of use also accelerate dry rot. More info:
http://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-prevent-tire-dry-rot.htm

[TJC1]

You may also store them in large black plastic trash bags and keep them away from electric motors or anything else that produces ozone. It also helps to keep them in a cool area.

We suggested this to our customers who we sold race tires to and it seemed to help.

[maxg765]

303 Aerospace Protector - Google for the 5-gallon jug. Use it on ALL rubber/plastic/etc. There is simply NOTHING that comes close to the magic that 303 will do.

You can buy smaller quart and gallon jugs, but I bought a 5 gallon a few years ago and have given/sold enough to friends to pay for it. :) Plus I've still got a couple gallons left for myself.

For those of you who haven't experienced the 303 difference, you are in for a real treat. It is basically incredibly effective sunscreen for anything petroleum-based (wood too).

Thats the product I had heard about not too long ago and could not remember the name... I had read and heard it was one of the best. Recently bought Mothers Back to black but did not want anything with a coloring agent in it. I will be ordering some of this. Thanks for the post.

Max

[e24pilot]

Thats the product I had heard about not too long ago and could not remember the name... I had read and heard it was one of the best. Recently bought Mothers Back to black but did not want anything with a coloring agent in it. I will be ordering some of this. Thanks for the post.

Max

Yes, it is truly magic. For amazing results, apply liberally on a clean tire and let it soak in. Once dry, the tire will look like new, not shiny, but new rubber. And it repels dust a bit as well. For all the trim, apply with a brush or sponge. It doesn't hurt the paint.

And a tip on sourcing it, check out RV suppliers since this is used extensively to protect awnings, all their large plastic/rubber pieces, and more.

I coated a plastic sandbox 8+ years ago, and it has been outside in the Arizona sun the whole time with pretty much zero fading or degrading.

[eric1ono]

Thanks all for the feedback. That is exactly what I was looking for. Anyone in the Spartanburg/Greenville, SC area interested in some? I've found where we can order a case of 4 - 1 gallon jugs of this stuff. So it would be easy to divide 4 ways...just checking.

Eric

[maxg765]

Thanks all for the feedback. That is exactly what I was looking for. Anyone in the Spartanburg/Greenville, SC area interested in some? I've found where we can order a case of 4 - 1 gallon jugs of this stuff. So it would be easy to divide 4 ways...just checking.

Eric

I'm in Miami. It if it works out cheaper this way including shipping I'll take one. how much would each be and what do you figure shipping to 33179 area.

Thanks

Max

[eric1ono]

Hey Max,

I'm not sure it would be cost effective for you. I wish you were closer (I just want to see your cars). The best price I've seen so far is $180 for 4 - 1 gallon jugs on Autogeek.com. So that works out to be $45/gallon(+ shipping costs to SC). Not sure the shipping costs to you, but I am assuming $10~15. It may be close I just don't know yet. I'll see if i can get a real quote for shipping to you.

Does anyone know of a better deal on this stuff?

Thanks again,

Eric

[CW6er]

Here is a link with more info about 303 and it contains a link to the 303 website where you will find a store locator page to see if there is a local supplier where you can buy it:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=90528#90528

I bought a 16oz. (pint) spray bottle for about $10/$12 locally, IIRC.

[e24pilot]

Hey Max,

I'm not sure it would be cost effective for you. I wish you were closer (I just want to see your cars). The best price I've seen so far is $180 for 4 - 1 gallon jugs on Autogeek.com. So that works out to be $45/gallon(+ shipping costs to SC). Not sure the shipping costs to you, but I am assuming $10~15. It may be close I just don't know yet. I'll see if i can get a real quote for shipping to you.

Does anyone know of a better deal on this stuff?

Thanks again,

Eric

Check this out, 5 gallons, shipped for $206!

http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-TOT030375-Aerospace-Protectant/dp/B004KGAP3C

[PTFunk]

Yes, it is truly magic. For amazing results, apply liberally on a clean tire and let it soak in. Once dry, the tire will look like new, not shiny, but new rubber. And it repels dust a bit as well. For all the trim, apply with a brush or sponge. It doesn't hurt the paint.

Will 303 'darken' faded/oxidized trim by itself, or is it O.K. to first apply something like Back to Black first, and then overcoat with 303? Assuming of course that the BtB-type colorant doesn't contain silicone.

[eric1ono]

PTFunk,

Here is a review that I came across that shows it does darken plastic trim somewhat. Not sure if it is as much as you are looking for.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/303-aerospace-protectant-review-and-guide/

I must say, this thread has gotten more activity than I originally expected. Thanks.

e24pilot,

I didn't catch the free shipping on that when I was looking, thanks. That gets the price down a little bit more per gallon.

Eric

[e24pilot]

Will 303 'darken' faded/oxidized trim by itself, or is it O.K. to first apply something like Back to Black first, and then overcoat with 303? Assuming of course that the BtB-type colorant doesn't contain silicone.

Yes, 303 will pretty much restore a lot/most of the darkness. It absorbs very well deep into the plastic/rubber, almost like it replaces the lost plasticizers (not exactly of course). And then, it has such a strong UV sunscreen factor that it won't get damaged much further.

No idea on doing it over BtB, but, 303 will absorb into most adhesives. I've never used BtB (maybe I should), but unless it truly bonds to the material and isn't just a surface paint, 303 might not work.

But 303 alone is truly amazing to behold You won't believe how it makes a tire look like new. And from that review's comments, you have to really clean the tires before applying as it can seal in dirt and other coatings. I use Oil Eater, scrub them and let them dry fully, then apply the 303.


PTFunk,

Here is a review that I came across that shows it does darken plastic trim somewhat. Not sure if it is as much as you are looking for.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/303-aerospace-protectant-review-and-guide/

I must say, this thread has gotten more activity than I originally expected. Thanks.

e24pilot,

I didn't catch the free shipping on that when I was looking, thanks. That gets the price down a little bit more per gallon.

Eric

Excellent review! Yes, 303 lasts a LONG time as well once applied. The free shipping there on a 50 lb item is AWESOME!

Kai and SF people... need to have this stuff on hand at all sharkfests! :)

[PTFunk]

Yes, 303 will pretty much restore a lot/most of the darkness. It absorbs very well deep into the plastic/rubber, almost like it replaces the lost plasticizers (not exactly of course). And then, it has such a strong UV sunscreen factor that it won't get damaged much further.

Thanks for the info. I bought some Vinylex recently, and based on comments here and elsewhere it'll be returned promptly for a bottle of 303. I'd like to also try it out on my 2002 GTI, since it's gotten to that 'certain age' where most rubber trim has started to suffer.