Community Forums

blacktie.shooter · 06-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaverjim

i guess it just doesn't pay to post anything on this forum anymore

guess i'll just read and not post! jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by scepter

Jim, please don't stop posting useful information just because someone makes smart A** remarks. I, for one, found your post useful. Ididn't know that Michelin would even sanction a tire dressing product

Ray

Seconded. Hang in there with those of us who appreciate members like you.

mfire1339 · 06-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Went to Autozone yesterday to get some of that Michlin tire stuff.
The reply was the typical "Huh?" Guess I'll make a phone call.

Mike

AFChap · 06-10-2009, 11:29 AM

About the only thing I know of that tire mfg'ers approve to use is 303 Protectorant. What they actually recommend is to use no dressing, and to wash the tires occasionally with mild soap and water. They also recommend covering them when parked to protect from UV rays, and to use a vapor barrier under the tires when parking, particularly on concrete. I have never put any "dressing" on my tires. I do follow their recommendations to cover and use vapor barriers. I just replaced 7 yr old tires that still looked like new both inside and out ...no cracks at all.

RVDude · 06-10-2009, 11:52 AM

The reason why 303 Aerospace Protectant, the Michelin product, and DuPont's Teflon Tire Shine CAN be safely used on RV tires is that none of these three products contain - and the label explicitly states - NO petroleum distillates.

If you know of another tire dressing product that does not contain petroleum distillates, please do share it!!!!! I have looked at every other product on the shelves in many stores and every one contains petroleum distillates (or silicones, another undesirable addition).

GaryKD · 06-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Hi RVDude,
There is http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1
I've been using Griot's products for years. They perform as or better than advertised. They do not fit "finding it on the shelf", but they can be readily purchased on the Internet.

RVDude · 06-10-2009, 01:12 PM

Gary, I forgot about Griot's, I see the tire product web page says no silicone, but does the label actually say no petroleum distillates or is it listed in the ingredients? Does the label say flammable?

GaryKD · 06-10-2009, 02:15 PM

Hi RVDude,
It used to have that statement in their printed catalog. One can call them and double check 800-345-5789. I just called them and the person on the phone could not contact the product manager. As soon as the product manager answers the question, they will call me back. Everyone has their process they must follow.

While I do not see the statement, based on Griot's target market (really high end classic car owners) and that the statement used to be included in the printed catalog I trust the product has no petroleum distillates.

Let us see if they call me back.

dieselclacker · 06-10-2009, 02:53 PM

Its been my expierience that the geographic location one resides in has a great deal to do with tire sidewall cracking. As Texasiceman has said ozone seems to play a big roll. I personally through past expieriences believe Michelin tires are one of the worst going for this tire cracking. I however, still use them on my coach.
I reside in South central California, and have tried 303 Protectant, and tire covers without success in preventing these sidewall cracks. I just replaced the original front Michelins on my Allegro last year do to cracking. They had a mid 2003 build date, and had always been covered. My brother, who lives in Southern Oregon has a 2003 Class C with 19.5 XRV Michelin, and they still look like new, and he doesn't even cover them. Not much ozone in that area maybe? I also use my motorhome regularly, so tires not rotating doesn't enter into the problem.

Dieselclacker

GaryKD · 06-10-2009, 04:17 PM

I forgot to mention there is no flammable warning on the Griot's product.

GaryKD · 06-10-2009, 06:22 PM

Griot's Garage sent me the materials safety sheet. It is labeled confidential (not sure why it could be sent to a customer) so I hesitate posting the complete document. The ingredients are:

HAZARD RATING
Health: 1
Fire: 0
Reactivity: 0
Special: None

SECTION 1: COMPOSTION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Component CAS # % Exposure Limits
Aqua Ammonia 7664-41-7 <3% 25 ppm, ACGIH TLV
Deg Methyl Ether 111-77-3 <6% 1 ppm, ACGIH TLV
Dibutyl Phthalate 84-74-2 <3% 5 mg/m

3, ACGIH TLV
Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether 34590-94-8 <5% 100 ppm, ACGIH TLV
Carbon Black** 1333-86-4 <5% 3.5 mg/m3, ACGIH TLV
** A suspected carcinogen in dry form, not applicable to this product.

After Googling the chemicals, I see no petroleum distillates in this list. There is also no fire hazard. I hope this helps.

Mike-n-Teri · 06-10-2009, 06:56 PM

While I can not offer any reccomendation, there is a product named Sun Block Tire Protection. SunBlock, Inc of Clackamas, Oregon 97015. It is suppose to prevent sun and weather damage to tires.

Mike

RVDude · 06-11-2009, 08:02 AM

Griot's customer response is *impressive*!!! I guess no surprise as they are a premier products company. Thanks for the info gary.

Now we have 4 tire products that are RV tire compatible, that is, no petroleum distillates. Unfortunately, none are really available at WalMart or even AutoZone places.

Griot's Garage Weatherproof Tire Dressing

303 Aerospace Protectant

Michelin Tire Shine

DuPont Teflon Tire Shine

So far, every other tire product on the shelf has petroleum distillates which are harmful to RV tires.

eandy · 06-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Ok many informative responses. Let's take this back to the beginning and I'll be more specific. Anyone know what the ingredients of the tire compound is?

RVDude · 06-11-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eandy

Ok many informative responses. Let's take this back to the beginning and I'll be more specific. Anyone know what the ingredients of the tire compound is?

Carbon Black is the key additive to tires - heat transfer properties and UV absorption properties and besides, it's a nice black color and cheap to boot. It's also why tires are black and not designer colors, the properties of carbon black are far too compelling and cheap. Kind of like TiO2 in the white color world.

I suspect you are looking for one of those famous JC Whitney & Company "miracle products" they were famous for. I do seem to recall they had something that when simply painted on your tires made them whole and brand new again and perhaps even touted carbon black as it's primary ingredient. Yeah right...

I do see they still have a tire gel with slightly reduced claims. Maybe it is more of what you are looking for. I will suggest that cracks are cracks and no amount of covering them up will change that - you are riding a time bomb.