Tire Question

[TexRiv_63]

I've got something weird going on with the front tires on my 63 Olds. They are developing some kind of chalky white coating, these are two new BFG radial T/A's that I bought to match two older T/A's I already had. When I put the tires on the car I cleaned them all up and put some armor-all on them, since then only the two newer tires developed the coating, the older ones look fine. I wiped this coating off with rag once already about a month ago and it has come back as you see in the pictures. Has anyone else had this problem and does anyone know what causes it / how to stop it?

[51dyno]

What is the date code and what country manufactured them might help ?

[PONTIAC1953]

this may be because of the government regulations that required tire manufacturers change the tire making from using oils to using water. this is also the blame for newer tires having dry rot develop. i have tires that i bought new in 1985, B.F.Goodrich silvertown bias ply tires, these tires are still just as good, as they were in 1985. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor.

[Dave@Moon]

While new regulations were promulgated in 2002 for tire manufacturers that required a lowering of xylene and toluene emissions (regulated as VOCs, volatile organic compounds) during manufacturing ( http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fr_notices/rtm_fr.pdf ), it is extremely unlikely that water is somehow a component of the tire (let alone that it would be so as a result of a regulations).

It is likely that there is a large difference in the rubber composition of the newer and older tires. Manufacturers are going to more durable (and sometimes harder) compositions/formulations in an effort to increase treadwear. Tires are just too expensive these days for a manufacturer to get away with a weak/soft compound. BGF T/As now have treadwear ratings as high as 620 ( BFGoodrich Tire Traction, Temperature and Treadwear Ratings ), almost certainly much higher than previous editions (like the ones on the back of this car) would rate by comparison.

These harder/durable type compounds act differently from older tires, and one important way they differ is in static electricity generation. By rubbing with the pavement and not wearing away as fast, more static electricity is generated. That electricity in turn attracts dust/debris to the tire. The same phenomenon is responsible for high static charges generated that can ignite gasoline during filling operations, which is why you should never fill a container of gas while it is still inside the vehicle.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Dave@Moon
typo (see edit history)

[avgwarhawk]

I think this is residue from the mold release agent used when making tires.

[Shop Rat]

Trying using some baking soda with a mild soap/detergent. It is amazing what it will help clean off and yet not to damage. It can even be used to clean soft contact lenses and we all know how delicate those can be. I have used it on hard plastics and it will take that gooey gunky reside off of things like kids high chair trays and leave it squeaky clean. It will help shampoo take "product" out of hair and not damage the hair. Again, squeaky clean.

[Guest Corvette Bill]

I too bought four BFG T/A for my 1966 Mustang in May of 2012 with a 2012 mfg date code on them and they do the same thing I clean them but once you drive it it returns,

must be a BFG issuse

Bill

[TexRiv_63]

I too bought four BFG T/A for my 1966 Mustang in May of 2012 with a 2012 mfg date code on them and they do the same thing I clean them but once you drive it it returns,

must be a BFG issuse

Bill

Thanks to all that responded. Bill, it is interesting you have the same problem, I have never seen this with any other tire. I'll try contacting Discount Tire where I bought them and see if they know anything about it. Till then I'll keep cleaning!

[cutlasguy]

Thanks to all that responded. Bill, it is interesting you have the same problem, I have never seen this with any other tire. I'll try contacting Discount Tire where I bought them and see if they know anything about it. Till then I'll keep cleaning!

My tires always tended to "chalk". especially after driving in the rain. Using the standard tire dressing never seemed to help. Finally I began to use Vinylex, a product I had used exclusively on my interior. Seems more durable, and keeps my tires looking tip top. It must be spread on thick and allowed to air dry. Never try wiping dry, as this destroys the gloss and results in streaks.