It's amazing what one can do with a couple of toothbrushes, a bottle of 409, some water, and some time. I've got one of the bundtcake wheels on my car completely clean, and will finish the other 3 tomorrow. At the moment, all 4 tires are off the car 'cause I'm also doing the brakes and wheel bearings, so if I"m going to do anything to the wheels and tires to prolong life and appearance, now's the time.

I've never done this, but I've heard of Armorall (or something like that) put on tire sidewalls. I've never seen what it looks like. Is it something that I should do to help the tire sidewalls live longer (lots of sun in CA!), or will it help with appearance, or will it make my 300D look tacky, or is it even worth the time and effort? Now that I'm pretty sure that I've gotten Lake Daimler stopped for good (i.e. finally gotten everything clean so that my rear footwells won't flood up every time the car gets wet), I can finally wash and wac the car and make it look like an M-B.

Thanks in advance!

Tire dressing will definitely enhance the appearance of your tires. They will bring out a deep rich black rubber appearance.

Don't use Armorall though, it contains a great deal of silicones and if not used consistently will turn your tires brown and will eventually cause premature cracking. Their are several manufacturers that make great tire dressing (Meguiars, Back to Black, Black Magic). From what I've seen the Meguiars tire gel and Black Magic last longest and don't turn your tires brown. They also bead water.

I think you'll appreciate the look once you've tried it.

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

You shoud try a few different brands to find the one you like best. I'm not one for too much shine (like armor-all), but found a brand at wal-mart that is cheap, and looks great. It gives the tires a dark black look with only alittle sheen, mostly makes the tires just look 'clean'. I've used it for over two years on my '95 without negative results. I wash my cars here in the NE about twice a week by hand - outside - and love the way the cheap stuff looks. when I get home I'll look at the can and post the name tomorrow.

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1992 500SEL 25K
1995 E320 40K
1995 SL600 120K
2002 JX8 Sport 43K
2005 Volvo S40 95K
2006 Isuzu NPR 304K (Frankencamper)
2007 Crown Victoria 150K
2014 Smart Electric 20K

I'll second the vote for Meguiar's Tire Gel - longest lasting stuff I've found (though doesn't last weeks like they claim). It doesn't brown your tires, smells like grape soda (never understood that one ), and is very easy to put on if your tires don't have alot of writing/ribbing on the sidewalls (which just takes a little more effort to get an even application).

They also make it in a low and high-gloss version. I've never liked the shiny wet look, so I go with the low-gloss version.

Good stuff.

Regards,
- Ryan

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'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)

STAY AWAY FROM THE ARMOR ALL....

It will give a very glossy look for a short time but when next you wash those wheels/tires the brake dust forms a very stubborn "paste" or "gunk" with the silicone in the armor all. This gets on your wheel/tire cleaning mit or equipment and will generally smear, shorten its effective life, etc. Also, armor all (or most any liquid product of its type) will sling itself onto the bodywork of the car when it is in motion thus staring another headache of detailing.

I recommend something like the Meguiar's Tire gel or the Back to Black. The Meguiar's lasts much longer in my experience but try some of each and see what you like best. Of course, for best looks, apply one light coat of the product....wait....buff with dry cloth. Then apply a second coat and you should be able to see where it is in need of a heavier second coat and where its not.

Hope this helps....Lee

The Meguiars brand I use is Endurance...low sheen and really lasts

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95 E420 ( 76K) SOLD
85 380SE(125k)
95 SL500(72k)

ditto on the Endurance gel ... easy to apply, lasts for weeks, and the grape smell makes me smile.

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1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

meguiers tire gel is the best Ive found!

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1997 E420 Black Opal

"Why do I have to be Mr Pink"?

I like using Vinylex by Lexol. This stuff will clean the tires and leane a nice sheen to your tires and the rubber bumper guards. What ever you use, I agree to stay away from Armol-All.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I also use Meguir's Endurance. I used to use Black Magic but found it quickly goes away when it gets wet (a lot better than armor all though). At first the Endurance doesn't last very long, but I guess it kind of soaks in and eventually everytime I wiped my tires off they looked like they had a new layer on. Seems like after a rain storm it gets kind of nasty, but after wiping it off it'd glow again.... I've had it last maybe three weeks tops, one and a half average.

Jeff M.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k