Some do not see the need to apply tire shine on the tires while others refuse to apply this as a result of the fear of the tire shine causing damage to the car paint.
Does tire shine damage paint? Undoubtedly, tire shine is capable of adding a new look to the tires and giving the car a great look. the question however is if the shine is a threat to the car paint or not.
So, can tire shine damage paint? Yes and no. yes if any of the constituents of the tire shine is acidic or corrosive when such tire shine gets on the car paint at any point, there is a good chance that the paint may get damaged by it.
If, however, the tire shine is completely free of any acidic or corrosive element, then, you do not have to panic or get worried when the tire shine gets on the car paint.
So, what determines whether the tire shine is of threat to the car paint or not is its composition. The first step in using a tire shine on your car tire, therefore, is to find out the type of chemicals the shine is made up of and determine whether any of such chemicals are safe for your car paint or not.
Assuming all tire shines are bad for the car paint and therefore prohibiting yourself from using tire shine on your car is an erroneous assumption.
Similarly, believing that tire shines are safe without a considerable amount of research on the composition of the tire shine is equally erroneous.
The various types of chemicals the tire shine is constituted of is the delineating factor here. If the tire paint has any acidic or corrosive constituent which is harsh on the car paint, then the possibility of such tire shine damaging the car paint when it gets on it is considerably high.
If, however, the tire shine is such that it does not contain any of these harmful acidic substances, then, it poses threat to the car paint.
This same principle applies to wheel cleaners as well. the most important determining factor is the type of chemical components the cleaner is made up of.
When you go through the label of the cleaner and there is no presence of acidic or corrosive substances, then such cleaner is of no threat to the paint.
Aside from your paint, the tire itself which is expected to improve in looks, be protected from fading, and have its life span prolonged following the application of the tire shine could equally be a risk of damage if the wrong tire shine is used.
The tire’s sidewall could become cracked or develop breaks which will consequently reduce the tire’s lifespan considerably.
So, instead of helping to extend the lifespan of the tires, it could lead to a shortening of the lifespan and the tire begins to form cracks prematurely. This is part of the reasons why some consider the use of tire shine unnecessary and are ready to forgo the great looks it confers on the tire and the car generally.
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What Are The Factors That Determine The Effect of a Tire Shine on Paint?
Generally, all tire shines are such that they are composed of a solvent base which is either water, oil or hydrocarbon silicon, or any other base depending on the manufacturer’s preference.
As earlier mentioned, not every tire shines out their damaged paint and not all are safe for the car paint either. The factor which determines if the tire shine is safe for the car paint or damages is the chemical content of the tire shine.
When the tire shine is applied on the tire, if the car is driven before the shine dries off properly, some of it could sling off the tire as it rotates in a circular motion and gets onto the car paint and other parts of the car. Leading to tire shine on paint – your vehicle’s paint.
This creates the fear of getting your car paint damaged by the tire shine. Another situation where the tire paint can also get on the car paint is when the car wash malfunctions while washing the car. It could begin to rub off the tire paint over the body of the car and smear it all over.
But, is tire shine bad for paint? Will it damage or hurt your vehicle’s paint?
Before this time, if the car owner had taken some quality time to learn about the type of tire shine that is okay for the car and the type that is not, on basis of the tire shine’s chemical composition, then, there will be absolutely no need for panic when any of this incidence occurs.
This information can be gotten from reading the user manual guide that comes with the tire shine, there, the chemical composition of the tire shine will be well spelled out, and its solvent base, whether it is water or oil solvent base will also be clearly stated. The types of chemicals, acids, corrosives, and others will also be stated.
This is to enable you to make an informed decision on what is most suitable for your vehicle. If this information’s are unable to assist you to make a clear decision, then turn to your mechanic or a professional at the auto repair shop for assistance.
They will be able to guide you based on experience on what hurts your paint and what does not.
How to Properly Apply the Tire Shine to Avoid Damage to the Paint?
When applied properly, the tire shine is capable of giving your tire and by extension the car a great look, similar to cars seen in the showroom.
Additionally, the tire durability factor is also improved. However, none of this is possible without learning about the right way to apply the shine. If not properly done, the tire shine can endanger your car paint and cause you to incur additional costs as you attempt to correct its damaging effects on the car paint.
So, here are some guidelines on how to apply the tire shine properly to avoid damage to the car paint.
The commonest mistake that could lead to the tire shine damaging car paint is when the tire shine is applied on the tire and not allowed to dry properly before driving such a car. In its wet state, the tire shine can easily sling off the spinning tire onto the body of the car and cause damage to the car’s finish
As soon as the tire shine is applied, a chemical reaction is triggered, which leads to the formation of a new chemical substance that can potentially harm the car finish. There are suggesting that the tire shine when applied directly to the car paint is unlikely to cause any form of damage.
However, when tire shine is first applied to the tire, the chemical in the tire shine then crosses and reacts with the anti-ozone chemical found in the car tire.
This chemical reaction then results in the formation of a new chemical compound which can cause streaks of permanent stains as the tire whirls in circulation motion when the car is driven while the shine is wet.
As a precautionary measure, the shine should not be applied in excess on the tire. This prolongs the drying period and increases the risk of the tire shine getting onto the car paint.
If the tire shine is applied excessively on the car tire, a clean material can be used to wipe off the excess tire shine from the tire to hasten the drying period.
One of the ways to avoid putting on too much tire shine is by applying the shine on the tire with your hands. This way, you can control how much of it is applied and prevent over-application.
Whenever you wish to apply a tire shine on your vehicle’s tire, make sure to choose a sunny day to facilitate the drying process and to prevent the shine from getting contaminated.
When applied on a day with much heat from the sun and with dry wild wind, the likelihood of it drying up properly and faster is higher than on a humid day.
Ensure the cloud is clear without evidence of impending rain before going ahead to apply the tire shine.
How Do You Remove Tire Shine From Paint?
So, let’s say you forgot to follow the above-mentioned precautionary measures regarding how to safely apply tire shine to prevent damage to the paint and this led to the paint getting stained with the tire shine, what can you do to get this removed? How do you remove tire shire from car paint?
Well, to start with, always remember, “prevention is better than cure”. Take note of the precautionary measure and ensure to follow them diligently. Make sure a considerable amount of research is done regarding the tire shine to ensure it is not of the type which contains acidic or corrosive chemical components.
The tire shine should be allowed to dry up completely after application before driving the car, and ensure the application is down on a sunny day and not when the condition of the weather is humid with clear signs of impending rain.
when the paint is stained with tire shine, various available methods and products could help remove the stain. Aside from specific product brands, all-purpose cleaners or the use of alcohol are also proven methods. If none of this succeeds in removing the tire shine stain, seek professional advice from workers at the car wash or auto body repair shop.
Can Tire Shine Damage Paint – Conclusion
Tire shines are great at improving the looks as well as the lifespan of the tires and may or may not damage the car paint when they get onto it pending the peculiarity of the tire shine in question in terms of its chemical composition.
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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.