Digital_Cowboy

What do y'all think of using Armor All on tires?

Homebrew01

Why ? They're just going to get dirty again .... assuming you ride your bike.

AltheCyclist

Yeah, for what purpose? I don't need clean sidewalls, I usually hose off a bike if it's dusty.

I do use car-wax on my frames from time to time (for which, I get made fun of in my circle). But, it makes the hose-down easier.

LesterOfPuppets

Yuck! Really bad idea if you're using rim brakes. A little misstep with the AA and your braking action is just about nil.

People make fun of you for waxing your bike frames? Hopefully they're not cyclists also...

AltheCyclist

Yeah, I'm not sure how common waxing is, based on my sample data, it's pretty rare. You?


Anyway, if the rim looks like this, a little Armor All would probably be in order:

petrolhead

I wax my bike's frame maybe two or three times a year, I find that the road dirt washes off a waxed surface easier than non-waxed. Cleaning a bike up nicely is a nice way to spend a chilly winter's evening, and is kind of satisfying and relaxing.

FBinNY 

It's a bike tire, it's supposed to look like you actually ride the bike. Of course if this is a bike for showing and talking about then Armor All is probably a good idea.

If I missed the point and you were concerned about preserving the rubber, not appearances, let me warn you Armor All will lower traction severely until you wear it off the contact strip. Years ago we used to Armor All the tires for Interbike show bikes, Afterward we had to be careful as we rode them through the parking lot. Otherwise, I've never had a tire last long enough to worry about the rubber aging.

Chombi

It's a well known thing out there. especially with car guys that once you use Armorall on rubber items, you will need to keep using it regularly or it will actually hasten the rubber's aging and perishing if you stop. I can attest to this as it happened to a Honda Automobile I owned in the 80's. Every thing was fine for a then I went through a short period when didn't get to use it and all the rubber based trim around the windows started drying out really fast and cracking. I quit using it on my cars after that experience and I did not have the same problems anymore. I would not use it if I were you, or if you do want to use some preservative/protector product, try to avoid Armorall if you can.Anyway, I would question ausing anything silicone based, slippery fluid like there are in many protectants on a tire where you want maximum traction for safety.

Chombi

bkaapcke

I like to inspect the tires after a long ride. Armor All quickly cleans them enough to really see if anything is working its way into the tread. Good flat prevention. bk

kenji666

Soapy water would probably work better.

merlin55

Put Armor All on bicycles tires is as smart as smearing them with grease....not smart

Myosmith

The only thing I use on my tires is my basic clean and degreasing mix of a cup of Simple Green, a cup of warm water, and a small squirt of Dawn dish soap. I wash my whole bike with this in a spray bottle and then lube cables and chain, then wax the painted parts. I give my braking surfaces a light scrub with a fine synthetic steel wool scuff pad dampened with rubbing alcohol. If the brake pads need a touch up, I just use 180 grit sandpaper on a sanding block to clean and true the surface, then wipe with the alcohol just in case there is any grit left.

dchsueh

I was once told by a tire shop mechanic never to use Armor-All on tires. AA eventually turns into an oily liquid, and I was told that liquids like that will dissolve and extract the waxes used in rubber compounds added to keep the rubber flexible and "moist". This recommendation against applies to things like gasoline and other wax-dissolving solvents.

Aside: the manufacturers of 303 Aerospace protectant understand the importance of maintaining the waxes in rubber compounds, and claim their product does not remove waxes. I have no experience using 303 on car tires myself.

JiveTurkey

I think this thread belongs in the Road forum.

LesterOfPuppets

I think it belongs in the Lowrider Bicycles forum.

JiveTurkey

I think it belongs in the Bikes as Wall Art forum.

LesterOfPuppets

If I ever get wall art bikes they'll all have skinwall. Whaddya clean that with?

Armor All for the black rubber. Whitewall cleaner for the white rubber, no clue about the tan rubber.

Might as well get to the pictorial part of the thread. I think she Armor Alled her booty a bit before goin' to work on that chrome fender.

Maybe the pics a bit much for the Bike Mechs subforum. Possibly NSFW, y'all.

https://rachelhavanna.lowrider.com/pi...2947/bike_.jpg

Ira B

Ditto post #8.

Armor all is horrible stuff.

Digital_Cowboy

I'd always heard how good it's suppose to be. And yes, I do ride my bike.

Digital_Cowboy

My bikes have disc brakes.

Digital_Cowboy

Than why does it get such "glowing" reviews?

Myosmith

Products like this get such "glowing reviews" IMHO because they make things look pretty, at least temporarily. People are much more moved by the immediate gratification than they are concerned or even aware of long term consequences. They smear it on and everything looks shiny and new for a couple of days and they are happy. They do this over and over and never make the connection to traction loss or long term problems.

aixaix 

For a real challenge, put Armor-All on a saddle, then go for a ride. You'll never forget it! I get to drive vintage cars with A-A treated vinyl bench seats from time to time. You never realize how important friction between your seat and butt is until you make a left and slide all the way over to the passenger side. They actually warn you not to use it on flooring. Being an adventuresome fool, I tried it once on one square foot of vinyl tile under my kitchen table. Made it slicker than a skating rink. Sure looked pretty, though.

Guitarrick

I don't use Armor-All anymore. For plastic and rubber pieces on cars I use Mother's Back to Black. The stuff is unbeatable., even on trim that isn't black. Takes the oldest, most faded crappy looking trim and makes it look brand new again. Lasts for awhile too, a hell of a lot longer than Armor-All ever did. If I spent the time to detail the sidewalls on my bike that would be the stuff I'd use. I'm more of a fan of good cornering traction than pretty looking tires, though.