Tire blackening

Tire blackening agent used in caring for the vehicle and giving it aesthetics. On the shelves of shops with auto chemical goods there is a wide range of such special equipment. A good alternative to some of them can also serve as folk, made by hand.

During the operation of the car, the wheels are most susceptible to the influence of external factors. The sun, water, salts, chemicals and bumps in the road are the main culprits of tire aging and loss of its original (shop) appearance. Restoration using the rubber blackening method will help restore freshness and former beauty. This can be done using several mixtures, namely: glycerin, shoe polish, soap, silicone, or a specially designed liquid. in order to figure out what is better to blacken tires, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons of each treatment.

Do-it-yourself tire blackening procedure

Why blacken rubber and what will it give

First of all, you need to understand what is tire blackening, and so - this is the process of processing rubber with a specially designed liquid that does not color black, but enhances blackness and covers it with a protective layer. Such a tool not only gives more gloss, but also protects the wheels well from dirt, dust, and counteracts cracking. In addition, ink softens the rubber, thereby making it elastic, which helps to maintain its integrity for a sufficiently long period.

Blackening of tires must be carried out after changing seasonal tires, before storing them.

Effect before and after treatment

Benefits of blackening tires:

1. Tire wear will be significantly reduced.
2. Pollution protection.
3. Masking of small defects, due to a layer of silicone glue.
4. Service life of tires.

Blackeners can be purchased at any auto store, their price starts at 200 rubles, but if you decide to save your budget, you can carry out this procedure at home, so we will continue to deal with the most popular tire blackening methods.

Folk remedies for blackening tires

In search of a cheap but good alternative that can give a 100% blackening effect, no matter what methods are used, not only the main components of professional products are used, but even carbonated sweet drinks, for example, such as Coca-Cola or Fanta.

The use of products containing sugar in their composition creates an imaginary impression of gloss. Soon they will start to look worse than before processing, as this will also attract dust a lot.

With great popularity and with satisfactory efficiency, when blackening tires with their own hands, they use 5 folk remedies and several special ones, from the protective autochemistry section.

There are the following means for blackening tires:

1. Gutalin.
2. Glycerol.
3. Laundry soap.
4. Silicone oil.
5. Use of special composition

In absolutely all cases, without exception, before carrying out the procedure for blackening tires, it is recommended to wash the wheels.

Shoe-polish - for blackening rubber

Here you can draw an analogy with shoes. Any self-respecting man knows that no matter what the suit is, unkempt shoes will immediately catch your eye. And in order to return them to their original shine, you need to regularly use shoe cream. Exactly the same situation with tires.

To blacken machine tires at home, you can use shoe polish or black shoe polish with wax. If the shoe polish is old dryish, then in order to make it easier to apply, you can slightly dissolve it with kerosene.

Lack of:

• does not look very aesthetically pleasing compared to other means;
• lack of gloss;
• the coloring composition dries for a long time, so it is not recommended to go immediately after processing, you need to wait until everything dries.

The simplicity of this method lies in the fact that such a tool can be found in every home and only a foam rubber sponge is needed to apply it. Plus, some creams, as well as when rubbing shoes, may require additional wiping with a soft cloth.

Blackening tires with glycerin and water

The most common method is to use glycerin, which can be easily purchased at a pharmacy. Glycerin is a colorless, viscous and highly hygroscopic liquid, miscible with water in any proportion. In order to blacken tires at home, you only need five jars of 25 ml or three of 40 ml each, the preparation method is quite simple, you just need to mix glycerin with water in a ratio of 50 to 50 (1: 1).

If you need a greasy solution, then you can use 5 parts of glycerin to 3 water, then you will need not to spray the liquid, as in the first case, but simply apply it carefully with a pre-moistened sponge. Also, some experimental drivers use proportions such as 1:3 (greater effect), 1:5 (light shine) or 1:7 (light matte effect), it all depends on the degree of burnout of the tires.

Remember that the more glycerin, the more your wheels will shine, but the more road dust will stick to them too.

The main advantages of this method are:

1. Availability of materials.
2. Profitability and minimal financial costs, its cost is about 9 rubles.
3. Possibility of fast cooking.
4. The possibility of frequent use, and can also be used on black plastic parts of the car body, such as a bumper.

Disadvantages:

• the fragility of the use of tires, namely drying and cracking of rubber at low humidity;
• after application, the rubber will have a shine, but since it is a fatty, sweetish liquid, the tire, although it will shine, will literally immediately begin to attract dust;
• after the first contact with water, it is washed off.

The brilliant effect can last only 2-3 days, and even then, if there is no heavy rain, therefore, it is not recommended to wash the car after application, otherwise the tires will regain their former appearance.

When using this method, the main thing is not to overdo it with the concentration of glycerin, as it can negatively affect the physical and chemical state of the tire due to the fact that it is a fatty liquid, and tires do not like this.

Blackening rubber with laundry soap

It is hard to imagine that such a seemingly ordinary product, like laundry soap, can help with tire renewal. For this method, you will only need water, soap and a car wash brush with medium bristles (approximately 70%). in order to carry out this procedure, you must immediately clean the tire from dust and dirt, then lather the brush thickly and rub the rubber. there is also one way, for this you will need to grind the soap with a knife or grater and dissolve it in warm water. After preparing the solution, you need to rub the tires well. Both methods are quite effective, after it your wheels will shine like new. The most important advantage of this method is its availability, ease of use and cheapness. there is also another side of the coin, this method do not recommend frequent use, because soap is very drying and greatly reduces their service life. Therefore, think once again before applying any liquids to rubber, so that you do not have to replace it later.

Silicone oil as a tire blackening agent

this method is quite common among car owners because it is easy to perform. Most often, for the treatment of tires, the PMS-200 brand is used - silicone oil 36285, which belongs to medium viscosity oils. The price for 1 liter of the product usually does not exceed 1450 rubles.

this method is naturally more expensive than those described above, but when buying 1 liter, it will last you for a whole year, even with frequent use. It should also be noted that the effect after application lasts a long time, which is quite economical, with a small consumption of silicone. As for use, they are also lubricated with tires that are intended for off-season storage. they also lubricate the rubber bands of the door seal or can be mixed with glycerin. Silicone, unlike other products, perfectly counteracts ultraviolet radiation, also protects against drying out, dust and condensation, which is quite an impressive fact when choosing the best folk remedy for blackening tires.

Other less popular tire blackening methods

also one way to blacken rubber at home with minimal financial costs using a detergent is to take Mister Muscle or prom (in the form of a gel), but cola, beer and other drinks (in its purest form) that people use - create a sticky layer attracting dust and dirt.

So, in order for the tires to return to their former appearance, you need to wash the wheels thoroughly with a glass cleaner, for example, Mr. Muscle or any other, and then treat with coca-cola. Cola is applied from the sprayer to the brush (medium hardness), and then we rub the wheels with it. These steps must be repeated several times, and after the first time the liquid must be allowed to dry. Half a liter of drink is enough for about 10 washes. They say that after all these manipulations, the result is not bad, and the rubber is not sticky, but gets its rich black color due to cola dyes. You can repeat this method as soon as the blackness begins to disappear.

With dishwashing gel, the situation is slightly different. Before applying it, you need to wash the wheels well. And then, already on a clean surface, apply with a small damp sponge. After processing, you do not need to cover anything else on top. When it dries, it gives a good result. This folk method is often used by car washers.

But no matter how it was, it is still not possible to prepare a really best tool for blackening tires at home. You will be able to achieve a short jet black effect before the first rain or off-road driving. So the ideal option would be to use specially designed formulations that can be purchased relatively inexpensively.

What to buy a means to restore gloss

When choosing a solution for tire treatment, first of all, you need to pay attention to its composition. The result will depend on it. For summer, it is also possible on a water basis, but for winter it is better if the product is on silicone. machine shops offer a wide range of inks, and they are all divided into two kinds:

1. Brilliant - These are lubricants that consist of a large amount of silicone. After applying them, the tires will become shiny, and the appearance will be more attractive. Disadvantage: they act for a short period of time, after getting dust or dirt, they may lose their original appearance.
2. Matte. They are used not only in the processing of tires, but also for the entire car. After covering the rubber with this type of liquid, it will acquire a deep black color. The disadvantage of this type of blackening is a short period of action after contact with water, as a result, their appearance also becomes worse than before staining.

You can use various means for blackening tires, albeit daily, if it is not expensive for your wallet. But it will be much more effective to apply to achieve a specific result, having understood the properties, purpose and consequences of processing. In various forums, you can often find a discussion of the topic of blackening, its need and meaning. After studying several such discussions, reading reviews and personal experience of use, we came to the conclusion that the 5 liquids below can be attributed to the best means for blackening rubber.

Wheel blackening. Lifehack against special means.

Test of Doctor Wax, Dannev, Turtle Wax and Hi-Gear

TOP 5 blackening products

Black gloss blackening agent

Tires are treated with a special tool called Turtle Wax 53016, which is quite popular at car washes. The method of application is very easy to perform, you need to apply it on the side of the tires with a spray gun and wait about 10 minutes until it dries completely. After application, it is not necessary to wipe the tires additionally. As for its cost, the prices for liquids start at 650 rubles. for 0,5 liter.

The benefits of this tool:

• protection against dust and dirt;
• unique anti-static properties for rubber prevent dust and dry road grime from settling;
• due to hydrophobic properties, water and liquid dirt flow off the treated surface;
• improves the color of tires, does not dry them;
• prevents cracking and discoloration of rubber; after 6 days of testing, in rainy weather, the tires retained their black color.

Real tests of the Black Gloss product showed that the wheels lost their shine and began to attract dust about 9 days after application. At the same time, the car drove into the car wash and got caught in the rain a couple of times.

Contact with the tire tread is strictly not recommended! because silicone-based compounds reduce the vehicle's braking performance. It is also not advisable to allow contact with the paintwork and headlights - the appearance may deteriorate.

If, nevertheless, the product accidentally got into unwanted areas, then you can remove it with a dry soft cloth or microfiber.

Blackening rubber XADO Red Penguin

For all the characteristics and warnings when applying to tires, you can read on the label. From ourselves, we note that after applying the wheels had a very attractive appearance. And if we compare the effectiveness of the durability of black with TURTLE WAX, then definitely a red penguin will last a little longer. The price, by the way, is also slightly lower - 420 rubles. for 1 liter, article XB 40407

Advantages:

• rich black color;
• maintains a long effect on tires.

Tire conditioner HI-GEAR HG5331

The tool is recommended to be used only on the side surfaces of the wheels and moldings. In case of contact with a painted or plastic part, clean it with a dry, clean cloth.

The application method is quite simple, the foam must be evenly distributed from the cylinder to the tire and wait for it to dry. Note that the product can be applied to the wheels only at a temperature of +15 - +25˚С. Its price reaches 950 rubles.

Advantages:

• can be applied to wet tires;
• the presence of a polymer film after application, which is able to repel water and dirt.

Disadvantages:

• you need to bring the wheels to the desired temperature;
• dries for a very long time;
• the effect of wet gloss, which the manufacturer claims, is absent at all.

Tire restorer DoctorWax

A special tool that was created to restore rubber DW5345. Fills microcracks and eliminates minor surface defects. It can be used not only for tires, but also for car mats. Designed to protect against the aggressive effects of salt and anti-icing agents.

According to customer feedback:

• well refreshes, renews, protects rubber and plastic;
• gives shine to seals;
• has excellent water-repellent properties;
• protects rubber from the aggressive effects of salts;
• economical consumption.

From the remarks, it should be noted that:

• the effect is quite good, but short-lived;
• the bottle is not very convenient to use, because the product leaks during application.
• in rainy weather, literally for 2 days after application, you can notice that the tires lose their color and shine, moreover, adhering sand and dirt are noticeable on the sidewalls, which indicates the complete absence of a protective film.

If you pay attention to the cost of this tool, due to the declared capabilities, then it is somewhat overpriced, because it ranges from 630 rubles. for 300 ml.

Color restorer Dannev

The manufacturer claims that this rubber blackening agent helps to achieve the effect of a wet sheen, but whether this is actually the case also needs to be checked.

Disadvantages:

• ink does not counteract ultraviolet;
• there is no protective layer;
• after application, the wet shine disappears very quickly from the tires;
• a few days of rain, the effect of wet shine is nullified;
• hard to find for sale.

Advantage: deep black color can last for 2 days in rainy weather.

The application method is also not very complicated, but caution is still required, the most important thing here is to ensure that the liquid does not get on the tread, brake disc, paintwork and headlights. As for the price, it costs about 258 rubles. for 250 ml.

After all of the above, I would like to note that as a result of the tests, the most effective tool turned out to be Turtle wax (tire color restorer). It can be used with all exterior plastic and rubber body parts. But inside the cabin it is better not to use it, as it has a strong solvent smell. The effect on the tires lasts about 3 days. As for the ink Dannev 01425243, then, taking into account the minimum costs, is also worthy of attention. In third place, you can place a very popular tire air conditioner from HI-GEAR. Because for a not so different effect, it is not cheap. The last place in the TOP is occupied by a tire restorer Doctor Wax, because it is intended to restore rubber products to a greater extent, and not to blacken tires.

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Do-it-yourself blackening of rubber

In order to carry out the blackening of rubber with your own hands, you need to take an old used toothbrush, which will help wash all the hard-to-reach places on the tire. After cleaning the rubber, you can immediately proceed to the very process of blackening. You will need a sprayer with treatment liquid, you can prepare it yourself in advance, or you can buy it in a specialized car shop. In the process of application, the product must be rubbed into the tire, for the best effect. Then you need to wait a few minutes until the liquid is completely dry, but if you applied a product that foams, then you need to wait a little longer, about 20 minutes. Well, more and more you won’t need to produce anything, now with beautiful tires you can go to conquer the roads.

And so, the plan for blackening tires with your own hands will be as follows:

1. We remove the top layer of dirt, so that the product is better absorbed and does not collect dirt (mine, it is better if it is done with some kind of detergent).
2. We give the wheel to dry, and the composition is not diluted with excess water.
3. Spray the product on the surface of the wheel. Preferably in dry, calm weather.
4. Rub with a sponge or leave it for a while (depending on the instructions).
5. To consolidate the effect, it is recommended not to leave for about half an hour, so that the liquid is completely absorbed and dried out.

When processing with special tools intended for cleaning and blackening, carefully read the instructions before applying! Some of them (silicone-based ones) are contraindicated for contact with the tire-asphalt contact area, as this impairs traction, while others can be applied to the entire wheel (for example, for storage).

Summing up, we note that…

By and large, there are 3 options for blackening rubber: the first is to do it yourself with the use of a home-made product (shoe polish, glycerin or silicone oil); the second is to also perform the processing on their own, but already using a specially purchased composition; the third is to give the car to a detailing center, where specialists will do it for you for 300-500 rubles, observing all the technology. Each of them has its pros and cons, so it's up to you which one to choose. From an economic point of view, it is worth considering only the first two, using one of the five methods. The least expensive is glycerin, laundry soap and cream with wax. There is at least some positive effect from glycerin and laundry soap, and shoe cream with wax, although it gives rubber a black color, is not suitable for use at all. So home remedies are not very effective, and their low cost justifies this. The most expensive and effective folk method for blackening rubber turned out to be silicone oil, its effect is comparable to the Black Gloss store product. The cost of such a tool will cost 650 rubles, which is really enough for several treatments.

For the fall of 2021, the price of almost all of these specialized products increased by 40% (compared to 2017). All the methods that are mentioned in this article have been tested in practice more than once and they really work. The most important thing is to wash and dry the rubber well before the procedure.