ncpantherfan71 133 Posted November 30, 2015 Several of my vintage tires have "grayed" and hardened over the years. How do you tackle this problem and get the nice black color back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted November 30, 2015 Not sure about getting them all shiny black again, but I've heard glycerine does wonders to old tires. See here: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=61382 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ncpantherfan71 133 Posted November 30, 2015 OK, looked it up. What is the best source for glycerine otc in the US? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted November 30, 2015 OK, looked it up. What is the best source for glycerine otc in the US? I wish I could help you with directions. Hopefully some TCer in the States will have the right answer for you. Good luck, and have a good week! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pleiku68 24 Posted November 30, 2015 Do not use Amoral that I can tell you. I have used beeswax after cleaning the tires...This help bring back the softness...light brushing with black shoe polish, not too much will bring back the color... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted November 30, 2015 Do not use Amoral that I can tell you. I have used beeswax after cleaning the tires...This help bring back the softness...light brushing with black shoe polish, not too much will bring back the color... You probably mean ArmorAll, Jerry Black shoe polish sounds interesting. I might give that a lil try when shinning my shoes later on this week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hibernaculum 933 Posted November 30, 2015 100% pure silicon oil is the answer for reviving/preserving, darkening tyres. As far as I can remember. There was a massive thread (many pages, even scientific debate) about this issue here some years ago, and from memory this was the most safe option for treating tyres, as it cannot hurt the tyre material. I have used it in the past and had no issue. So just look for some silicon oil - eg R/C damper oil. Make sure it is 100% pure silicon, and of a fine/thin grade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frameskip 63 Posted December 1, 2015 If you want to pick up glycerine, you can get a quart for ~$13 off Amazon. You can also pick it up in most pharmacies (often behind the counter), but it can be quite pricey for the amount you need to submerge a few tires. FWIW, I have tried glycerine on some old Hotshot tires with little effect. I assume it's because those are a very hard/plastic-like rubber. Softer rubber may absorb it better. Also, glycerine will evaporate over time... Good luck either way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thirteen30 74 Posted December 1, 2015 I heard scotchbrite pads work wonders with some elbow grease Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Novastar 241 Posted December 1, 2015 Has anyone tried automotive tyre shine spray ? It would make a mess if sprayed directly at the much smaller tyre but it could be sprayed into a shallow container and painted on. Not sure if it will harm old Tamiya rubber though ! I tried Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Spray on an old set of Super Hornet (edit: Fox tires on Super Hornet wheels, lol) this way and this was the result after cleaning and applying the spray with an old modelling paint brush then wiping off the excess: (There is no damage as far as I can tell) Before: After: (tried to make the pics a bit smaller but my photo manipulation program has gone out of date) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terz1 745 Posted December 1, 2015 When I read the title back to black I thought it was about a product I used on my 1:1 cars. When I was heavily into my japanese perfomance cars and went to shows I used a product on the tyres called back to black. If I remember it was by a company called car plan and was sold by halfords in the UK but there are probably others out there. It was a black thick fluid similar to fabric conditioner in consistency which you rubbed on the wheel with a cloth. Then after leaving it for a while (few minutes) you just run around the tyre with another cloth to gather any excess. It didn't seem to stay on anything other than the tyre but the only other part of tbe car it came into contatct with was the alloy wheel. So if anyone uses it please test on some plastic just incase it leaves a residue. It shouldn't damage plastic as it's designed for rubber tyres. It made my tyres look very black and shiney. Like they were brand new. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pumesta 407 Posted December 1, 2015 I used Meguiars endurance tyre gel on mine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ncpantherfan71 133 Posted December 2, 2015 I wasn't looking to shine them, just soften them and get them black again. I think I will try some of leather conditioner I have for my 328, maybe that will get some oils back in the tire. I will post some before and after pics of the results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pumesta 407 Posted December 2, 2015 I wasn't looking to shine them, just soften them and get them black again. I think I will try some of leather conditioner I have for my 328, maybe that will get some oils back in the tire. I will post some before and after pics of the results. I use a product called gummi pflege on the rubber seals on my convertible. It's purpose is to keep rubber soft and works very well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Truck Norris 2237 Posted December 3, 2015 Most car tyres gels will give too glossy a finish. I used 303 Aerospace Protectant for these King Cab tyres. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites