to tire shine or not?

[gotittoday]

First off.. i've done a little searching here, and nothing so far is relevent to what problem i've recently had been brought attention to.

Im not sure how true this is, but i have a tire maintenence pamphlet from Dunlop that states you should not apply sidewall treatments or shine. although I do not have Dunlops on anymore, and these tires i have now (I think) don't have a chemical resistant to ozone cracking, which the tires previously did.

is this true or in any case, the reason for tires to start cracking over time?
I honestly fear this affect from tire shine treatments (whatever name brands)
over time. im not really looking forward to seeing the first little crack in my sidewalls because of using a shine treatment.. call me stupid, but i havnt yet spent the time to actually read from one of these products

overall this little rant, are any "tire wet" or "shine" treatment an all that, really that benificial to my tires (or anyones) in the long run beside making them shiny?


im also on the lookout for really good leather treatment and cleaners, also my top is in need of some care and is screaming at me to do something.. any product suggestions out there?
i would gladly love to learn some hints, tricks and detailing tips
I did not make the intention of this to ryme in any way

thanks to any suggestions and the tire appearance dellema ive gotten into

[Java Junky]

Aaay Got, how'z it goin'?
You're spendin' too much time worryin' n' not enough time drivin'.
Tire treatments? Eons before your tires start showing any kind'a cracks you should'a worn 'em out n' moved on to new rubber to also lay waste to.
You've godda get oud'a the old high-mileage mindset. When we used to ride on the same ol' set'a boringly (except when it came time to need to seriously grab a chunk'a pavement, that was anythin' but borin') reliable 50 thou hoops we used to see some age cracks.
We're ridin' on tires that, when properly abused, might give you 15 thou.
By all means pay attention to the condition of your tires, but only to make sure that they haven't overstayed their welcome.
There are alodda good leather cleaners n' conditioners out there. McGuiers, Mothers, n' most of the manufacturers of exterior polish n' wax have their own. I jus' happen to have a bit of Griot's Garage left n' that suits me fine, but the others ain't no slouches either.
For the top I've run through ArmorAll, 303 n' have settled in with RaggTopp (spellin's probably wrong). Like anything else, the top's gonna age. If you don't treat it with somethin' made for it, it's gonna age faster than if you treat it.
Disclaimer time:The preceedin's been life accordin' to Java.
Also check the past posts Got. There's some really good stuff on the topic of top stuff n' I'd be surprised if we ain't got into the shiny tire thing too.
Be well.
Java

[S2000dude]

I'll just add to what the Javaman said and recommend Gliptone Leather Treatment, (they make a cleaner as well).

It's hard to get a hold of but well worth the search. In my area Straus Auto carries it.

AND . . . don't worry about the tire stuff. Check out Michelin tire treatment products. Blue cans, yellow lettering. Read the print. It might ease your mind.

AND. . . go and have some fun with your S2k!!!

[gomarlins3]

I have never heard of a tire company saying not to use any type treatment on their tires. Like Java said, I usually don't have the tires on the car long enough to worry about cracking. I go through rear tires about ever 10,000 if I am lucky. My front have lasted about 15,000. I have always used Armor All with no side effects.

As for the leather, Hide Food was recommeneded to me once and I have had good success with it. It's hard to find, but worth it in my opinion.

[bjurasz]

Tires last long enough for their sidewalls to crack???

[Java Junky]

Thanks bj. I needed that.
Java

[Scooterboy]

Originally Posted by bjurasz

Tires last long enough for their sidewalls to crack???

I was going to bring up that same point.

Be careful what you use. Some of the runny types will sling off on to the side of your car. Those with a silicone base car damage your paint.

I use Black Magic Tinanium. It is a thick liquid (almost like STP) that does not sling off and last pretty good. Just make sure that you do not get any on the tread surface. It is very slippery.

David...

[Genesis]

My brother owned a tire store and he told me not to use those products on the sidewalls...Never botherd to find out why, because I don't see what the attraction is to having shiny tires...Have you ever looked at a car and commented how great their shiny tires were...No....Me either

I would second the suggestion for Connolly Hide Food for the leather...You can pick it up online...It's recommended by Ferrari,Rolls,Jag and others for their leather so you know it's good stuff...The next best choice would probably be the Lexol line of cleaner and conditioner...

[gotittoday]

well, ive got the black magic tire shine... and as for making them shiny .. i guess its all in appearance type thing, kinda like when some one get 12" subs installed in their car, or add euro's n stuff (lol and altezza's)

anyway, i picked up "A" convertable top clearner.. bastards all around me either have nothing or just this one lonely top conditioner cleaner made by "BlueMagic"
im not sure how well it works, seing its got a 99' mustang on one bottle and a 00' camero on the one behind it, i guess it means its fast and wont last very long, DAMN IM SOLD!! GIMME 10!! (lol again) just kidding about that remark

i was really on the look out for "raggtopp" but i have been left to reach for dusty shelfs and no hope.

plus i got to wash my S today !!
was warm and sunny, did a quick detail before i had to go to my next job (for lunch i haaaaaaaad.... cleaned my car !)

get home from work and its cold and coudy and now we are looking at 3-9" of dumb ass snow
honestly, how am i to live in this hell weather with an S2000?
sonava bihatch man

anyway ive used a leather detergent when i detailed for a limousine business
it smalled rank as hell but did the job very nicely, kept the seats in show like condition.. didnt do squat for stains though.. came in a brownish spray bottle..

and also.. when cleaning my seats.. what kind of cloth is suggested/mostly used?

[Java Junky]

Off-topic Got, but infinitely more important:
Your comment about impendin' white stuff makes me ask if you drive your Stewie in the winter n' what you use for tires durin' that period (hopefully not the stock offerin's). I'm runnin' Dunlop Wintersports for the winter. 'Can't recommend 'em more highly.
As for the RaggTopp, I know it's available on-line (aaay, you're sittin' here anyway, right?)
If the BlueMagic that you're referrin' to is the one I'm familiar with, they've been around a long time n' put out a quality product.
N' to be on top'a your top-maintenance game, check out a site that Jetbert turned us on to: Imported Convertibles
Be well.
Java

[HELL_ON_WHEELS]

For my tires I like to use DuPont’s Teflon tire shine I can go up to three weeks without another treatment (mine is a daily driver)

My top I use Ragg topp cleaner and protectant makes it look brand new and for my leather I use Maguire’s leather treatment that stuff is great and its not greasy

[bjurasz]

As per the question to what rags/cloths people are using I prefer cloth diapers. You can even buy them in the Automotive section of Target now.

[Java Junky]

These r' like . . brandy new diapers, right bj?
(Aaaay! I thought it was hilarious! . . but I ain't slept in a while either)
Be well.
Java