Does tire shine cause dry rot? Many people wonder whether tire shine causes dry rot, but the answer to this question cannot be straightforward because many factors need to be put into perspective.
Tire shine is the final touch given to tires after washing. The tire shine is usually in the form of gel or sprays intended to provide the tire with its original shiny black look.
Ingredients commonly found in most tire shine products
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Silicone oil | Adds shine and water repellency |
| Petroleum distillates | Acts as a solvent for the silicone oil |
| Emulsifiers | Helps to evenly distribute the silicone oil and water |
| UV inhibitors | Protects against sun damage |
| Preservatives | Prevents microbial growth and prolongs shelf life |
| Fragrances and dyes | Adds scent and color to the product |
| Surfactants | Reduces surface tension and helps to spread the product evenly |
Most people think that tire shine is supposed to fix cracks, but it does not; it’s just supposed to give your tire a wet and shiny look. Today’s biggest question in this content is, does tire shine cause dry rot? First of all, let’s look at what dry rot is.
Dry rot is the cracking on the tire’s sidewalls due to the brittleness and stiffness of the tire that has degraded. Tires are made of rubber, and rubber tends to wear out as time goes by due to friction. This is one of the most common reasons that lead to tire dry rot.
But does tire shine cause dry rot? The answer to this question needs to be more direct. First, the drawback of the tire shine is that it can damage breaks if the excessive spray is applied on the tire.
Secondly, some tire shine products that mostly contain silicone or petrochemicals, if applied on the tire, dissolve the protective waxes on the tire, thus causing tire dry rot.
But when a good tire shine product that does not contain harmful chemicals is applied, the tire will not cause dry rot. Here we will talk about tire shine and whether it’s bad for tires.
Tire Dry Rot Symptoms
Large cracks on the sidewalls are the surest way of noticing the tire dry rot. A tire with dry rot tends to have large cracks on the sidewalls that expose steel cords and other inner components.
Decolorization of the black color is mainly common when the tire has been used for a long time and has undergone a lot of friction. The black color tends to fade, thus making the tires look old and dull. This decolorization of the black tire tends to lead to dry rot of the tire.
This can mostly be fixed by the use of tire shine to give the tires the original shiny black color.
Brittleness and rigidity– a dry rot of the tire can mostly be identified through the brittleness and rigidity of the tire. Brittleness is when you touch the tire, and some tire pieces pull out. This brittleness is very likely to cause dry rot of the tire.
Causes of Tire Dry Rot
Many people don’t know UV lights, but there is a reason why experts and car manufacturers insist that people park their cars in the shade. UV lights tend to be harmful to your car tires since because the tires are made of rubber.
When UV light hits the tires for a long, the tires tend to weather, thus leading to tire dry rot.
Certain chemicals bring us to our initial question: Does tire shine cause dry rot? Yes, some tire shine chemicals made of silicone and petrochemicals tend to dissolve the tire when applied. This leads to tire dry rot if applied regularly and in large amounts.
Underinflated tires– low tire pressure for frequently used tires can lead to dry rot. This is because if the tire is running fast in low pressure, the rubber of the tire can wear out, and this can be worse if you are driving in rough terrains. When the tire quickly wears out, it becomes brittle, leading to dry rot.
Causes of dry rot in tires
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Exposure to sunlight and heat | UV radiation and high temperatures can break down the rubber compounds in tires, leading to dry rot. |
| Low tire pressure | Under-inflated tires can cause excessive flexing, leading to cracks and dry rot. |
| Age | Even if a tire is not used, it can still dry out and crack over time, especially if it is stored in direct sunlight or near a heat source. |
| Chemical exposure | Exposure to chemicals such as ozone, gasoline, or oil can accelerate the breakdown of rubber in tires. |
| Lack of use | Tires that are not used for extended periods of time can dry out and crack, especially if they are stored in direct sunlight or near a heat source. |
| Overloading | Overloading a tire can cause excessive flexing, leading to cracks and dry rot. |
When is Dry Rot on Tires Dangerous?
When tires fail– when tires start failing, this becomes a dangerous tire dry rot situation since this can even cause accidents. When a tire fails, it prevents the vehicle from functioning the way it was supposed to initially. This can lead to some other related problems, such as brake failure.
Large sidewall cracks– when the sidewalls are large enough to the extent that you can see the tire’s internal components, this shows that the tire dry rot is becoming dangerous and needs immediate replacement.
Brittleness of the tire– when the tire becomes too brittle to the extent that when you touch the tire, the pieces of rubber tear out easily, this can be very dangerous, especially if you live in a hot climatic area since the rubber can stick on the road when driving. Even worse, the brittleness can damage the tire completely.
Preventing Tire Dry Rot
Regular tire inspection– doing a regular tire inspection will help identify the symptoms of a tire dry rot as soon as possible. You should do monthly checks by looking out for faded tires, cracks on the sidewall, or any other unusual thing on your tire.
Avoid parking under the sun– as much as UV lights are harmful to your skin, they are also harmful to your car tires. This is because the UV light can weather the sidewall of the tire prematurely, and if the car is under the sun for too long, the sidewalls might develop cracks. You must park your car in the shade or in an enclosed place that will not receive UV lights.
Avoid harmful chemicals– some tire shine chemicals are made of petrochemicals and silicone. When these chemicals are applied or sprayed on the tire, they tend to dissolve the chemical, which thus causes dry rot of tires. You must use tire shine products that do not contain any of those harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
Several factors can cause tire dry rot, some of which are chemicals such as tire shine containing silicone. These chemicals can lead to the dissolving of the tire, thus causing dry rot.
But at the same time, tire shine does not cause dry rot since tire shine that doesn’t have harmful chemicals cannot cause tire dry rot; if anything, it can help the tire to regain its initial shiny and black appearance.
So to answer the initial question, does tire shine cause dry rot? The answer is neither yes nor no. It all depends on the various components present in the tire shine. That is why it’s important to pick a good quality tire shine that does not contain harmful chemicals.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.