Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Tips for motorists

Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself

03.03.2023 /

Today, many motorists resort to blackening rubber on their cars. However, not everyone knows that this procedure is carried out not only to give a beautiful appearance, but also to protect tires from the negative effects of the external environment. In addition, blackening can be done not only in the service, but also with your own hands.

Do-it-yourself blackening of rubber on a car

Every motorist who takes care of his car pays attention not only to the technical condition, but also to the appearance. To improve the aesthetics of the car, blackening of rubber has become quite popular today. Since different means can be used for this procedure, their application needs to be understood in more detail.

Why blacken

The main goal pursued when blackening tires is to extend their service life, since rubber is subjected to high loads during operation. Due to the fact that the main part of our roads is far from ideal, such negative factors as stones, sand, salt and chemicals adversely affect the condition of rubber, resulting in microcracks and scuffs appearing on it. Thanks to the blackening of tires, it is possible for some time to protect the wheels from various kinds of influences (burnout, cracking, sticking of dust and dirt).

The advantages of the procedure include:

  • rubber is protected from pollution;
  • minor defects are hidden;
  • tire wear is reduced.
Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Rubber without care undergoes faster aging, fine cracks appear on it, and wear increases

The main disadvantage of blackening is the need to periodically repeat the procedure, which depends on the conditions and intensity of vehicle operation. In addition, such tire care requires certain time and physical costs.

Blackening in the service or with your own hands

Today, many car services offer the service of blackening rubber. Specialists carry out the procedure in several stages:

  • washing and drying wheels;
  • application of a special agent;
  • final drying.

If the blackening is done correctly, the machine can be operated in just a few minutes. The cost of this type of wheel processing depends on the specific service and starts from 50 rubles. With self-care, the price and profitability of the procedure will be influenced by the substances used and the frequency of its implementation.

Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
When blackening rubber in the service, specialists use professional tools

How to blacken rubber

You can blacken the slopes with the help of special compounds or folk remedies.

Special Tools

For the summer period, you can use water-based solutions, and for winter it is better to use silicone. Shop ink is divided into two types:

  • shiny. They are lubricants based on a large amount of silicone. The application of such products makes the rubber shiny and attractive. However, after dust sticking, the shine disappears and the original appearance is lost;
  • matte. Such tools are used not only for tires, but for the entire car. Applying liquid to rubber gives it a deep black color. The disadvantage of this treatment is the short duration of the effect. Upon contact with water, the appearance of the element becomes worse than before treatment.

Among the variety of special tools, the most popular can be distinguished:

  • "Black gloss". The substance is quite popular in car washes. To treat the tire, it is enough to spray the product and wait about 10 minutes. Additional wiping is not required. The cost of the liquid is from 480 rubles. per litre. The tool perfectly protects rubber from dust and dirt, improves color and prevents cracking;
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    One of the most popular means for blackening rubber is Black Gloss.
  • XADO Red Penguin. The appearance of the wheels after processing becomes quite attractive. Compared to the previous remedy, the "red penguin" lasts a little longer and costs a little less - 420 rubles. for 1 liter;
  • HI-GEAR HG5331. Foam is a conditioner-cleaner. It is recommended to apply only on the side parts of tires and on moldings. If a substance gets on the body or plastic, it must be removed with a dry and clean rag. The product is evenly applied to the rubber and wait for complete drying. The peculiarity of the substance is that it must be applied only at a temperature of + 15–25 ˚С. The price starts from 450 rubles. The advantages include the possibility of applying to a wet tire with the subsequent formation of a polymer film that can repel dirt and water. Among the shortcomings, one can single out prolonged drying and the absence of a gloss effect;
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    HI-GEAR HG5331 ink forms a protective film that repels dirt and water
  • DoctorWax. The tool is designed to restore rubber by filling microcracks and eliminating minor defects. The substance can be used for both wheels and interior mats. Among the advantages, one can single out good protection of rubber and plastic, giving shine to parts, and economical consumption. Cons: short-term effect, especially in rainy weather. The cost of funds starts from 250 rubles. for 300 ml;
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    DoctorWax fills microcracks and eliminates minor defects on the tire
  • Dannev. It is a color restorer. Once applied to rubber, the black color lasts for two days in rainy weather. The disadvantages include the lack of a protective layer, there is also no UV protection, a short-term wet gloss effect. The price of the product is about 260 rubles. for 250 ml.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    After applying Dannev color restorer to the rubber, the black color remains for two days in rainy weather.

Among the most common folk remedies for blackening tires are:

  • glycerol;
  • shoe polish;
  • soap;
  • silicone.

Glycerol

The use of glycerin for the treatment of tires has the following advantages:

  • availability of materials and ease of preparation;
  • low cost. The price of one bottle of 25 ml is about 20 rubles;
  • application speed.

Among the disadvantages are:

  • at low humidity, the surface of the tires quickly dries up and cracks, which reduces their service life;
  • after applying the product, the effect appears almost immediately, but the surface is quickly covered with dust;
  • low stability in contact with water;
  • the effect after treatment lasts for 2-3 days.
Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Glycerin is one of the most affordable rubber blackening agents.

Shoe polish

To blacken tires at home, you can use both shoe polish and any other black cream. The main advantage of the tool is its affordable cost and ease of use. Otherwise, blackening with shoe polish has the following disadvantages:

  • lack of gloss;
  • prolonged drying;
  • short term effect.

The minimum cost of one 100 gr can is 20 rubles.

Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Tires can be blackened with shoe polish or other shoe polish.

Soap

The effect of blackening for a short period of time can be obtained by using laundry soap. However, if it is used frequently, the rubber will dry out. The advantage of this method is the ease of processing and low cost. The cost of one bar of soap weighing 350 g is about 15 rubles.

Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Laundry soap can be used to blacken tires, but not often as the rubber will dry out.

Silicone oil

One of the most effective folk remedies for blackening rubber is PMS-200 silicone oil. The cost of 100 ml is about 100 rubles, which is quite budgetary. The advantages of silicone oil over other products are as follows:

  • reduces the impact of ultraviolet radiation on rubber;
  • provides additional protection against drying out;
  • prevents dust settling;
  • can be used to treat tires in the off-season.
Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
Silicone oil is one of the most effective rubber blackening agents.

How to blacken rubber

Before proceeding with the processing of tires, the surface is prepared. To do this, the tires are well washed and cleaned of all kinds of contaminants. After that, they are dried so that no signs of moisture remain. If the rubber is clean but covered with dust, blowing with compressed air will suffice. After the preliminary procedures, you can start blackening.

Blackening with special means

Most often, factory inks are sold in the form of an aerosol can, which makes them easier to apply. Processing is carried out according to the attached instructions, which also indicate the predicted effect. The procedure consists of the following steps:

  1. Shake the bottle.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    Shake the can before applying.
  2. We spray the contents from a distance of about 20 cm from the wheel.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    We spray the contents of the can onto the wheel from a distance of 20 cm
  3. To evenly distribute the product, wipe the surface to be treated with a rag.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    After processing, wipe the tire with a rag
  4. We are waiting for the film to dry.

If the substance gets on the body elements, wash it off with plain water.

Blackening with homemade chemistry

If the restoration of the color of tires is carried out with glycerin, then it is mixed with water to prepare a solution. To process the wheels, you will need about 120 grams of the substance and the same amount of water. It should be borne in mind that at a high concentration, for example, 5 parts of glycerin and 3 parts of water, you will need a sponge. With a more liquid composition, you can use a sprayer. Based on the experience of motorists, the following optimal proportions are distinguished:

  • to give a slight sheen to rubber, mix 1 part of glycerin and 5 parts of water;
  • a matte effect can be obtained by mixing 1 part glycerin and 7 parts water.

The proportions in each case may differ, depending on how burned out the tires are.

To apply the solution, you will need a conventional hand sprayer. After preparing the composition, washing and drying the wheel, apply the substance as follows:

  1. Spray or manually apply liquid to the side surface of the wheel.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    Glycerin is applied to the tire with a spray or sponge
  2. We rub the product with a rag or sponge.
  3. We are waiting for 5 minutes.

Video: how to blacken tires with glycerin

Do-it-yourself tire blackener! Glycerol

In the case of using shoe polish to restore the color of rubber, you will need a cream, a foam sponge or a soft rag directly. Processing consists of the following steps:

  1. We apply the substance to the side surface of the tire.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    Apply shoe polish with a brush or cloth to the sidewall of the tire
  2. Let the product dry for two hours.
  3. When the material is absorbed, rub the surface of the tire with a dry cloth until a shine appears.
    Why you need to blacken rubber and how to do it yourself
    After soaking the material, rub the surface with a dry cloth

If the shoe polish in the jar is dry, you can add a small amount of kerosene to soften it, and then stir it.

To process rubber with laundry soap, grate the bar and pour hot water over the chips. After dissolving the soap, the mixture is applied to the tire with a sponge, rubbing into the surface. The remains of the substance are wiped with a dry cloth.

The blackening of rubber with silicone oil is carried out using a clean cloth, on which a small amount of oil is applied and the surface of the tire is evenly rubbed. In addition, the oil can be used when the tires are put away for storage, i.e. after the seasonal change.

Video: ways to blacken rubber

Tire blackening recommendations

If you follow the recommendations of experts, then it is better to use professional tools for blackening tires. This is explained by the fact that such substances not only give an attractive appearance to the wheels, but also soak into the rubber and protect it. Cheap store-bought products, including self-prepared ones, practically do not protect tires, and with frequent use, on the contrary, worsen the properties of rubber. In addition, depending on the composition used, it may not be absorbed and stick to the body, arches, bumper during movement, resulting in dust spots.

Reviews of motorists

I have Tire Shine conditioner for these purposes - it gives a rich black and wet color, forms a protective silicone layer that protects rubber from aging and cracking, and has water-repellent properties that prevent dirt from sticking.

For the past 3 years I have been blackening with a foamy tire cleaner, I have not seen a better tool. Simply applied, lasts from 1 to 3 months - 0,75 l, lasts about a week. People ask all the time how to wash the wheels like that. Believe me, try once and you won’t be able to wash the car, and then you won’t puff with this product. And all sorts of shoe polishes and waxes are somewhere around 1990, but then there was nothing special from auto chemical goods.

You jump on the wheels (on wet ones) first with Profam 3000 or 2000, wait a bit, rub with a brush, rinse with water. Then you take a polish and spray it on the wheel, then rub it with a foam rubber sponge. Only polish on a dry wheel is necessary, and not on a wet one.

My recipe: 5 jars of glycerin + water (1:3). I pour it into the sprayer, shake it up, put it on the wheels (without rubbing the product on them). Within a few days, the wheels are like from a car wash.

Tires can be blackened by budgetary or professional means. Their choice depends on your capabilities and wishes. Each car owner will be able to carry out the blackening procedure independently after reading the step-by-step instructions.

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