Tire booming is a chemical process in which brown stains produce at the tire sidewalls due to a substance applied to the rubber known as antiozonant. It prevents undesirable oxidation and keeps the tires from breaking and drying soon.
When answering the question- is tire blooming bad, the answer goes as although blooming may not be appealing to the eye, it is a necessary stage in the lifespan of a tire. Generally, the leftover material may be able to reduce the oxidation-related harm that a tire sustains. Thus, it is actually regarded as advantageous for maintaining their efficiency.
However, excessive blooming can be disgusting and bother you. Keep reading this guide to know further about tire blooming, its causes, and prevention.
What is Tire Blooming And Why Does It Happen?
Tire blooming might initially appear as a buildup of dirt, grime, and brake dust on the sidewalls of tires. Even so, it can occur even with a pair of clean, recently cleaned tires. Unfortunately, no manner of cleaning or rubbing will remove those obnoxious brown stains from the tires.
The chemical process called “tire blooming” produces dark spots that “develop” on tire sidewalls. A chemical substance known as antiozonant is the culprit of this peculiar event.
Antiozonant acts as an additive and is generally used in the manufacture of plastic and rubber parts. As the name suggests, antiozonant guards against UV-induced oxidation, breaking, discoloration, and deterioration in plastic and rubber substances.
Antiozonant acts similar to sunblock. Car manufacturers typically use different varieties of antiozonants to make tires highly resistant to UV deterioration and extreme heat. Current tires won’t be as durable and will deteriorate more quickly without antiozonant.
Besides, antiozonant can be found in the anti-stick substances used on tire moldings. It keeps freshly produced tires from adhering to the molds in a manner like to nonstick in cookware.
Additionally, the non-stick materials will chemically attach to the tire, increasing the amount of antiozonant that will gather and cling to the tire area.
However, there is a problem. Antiozonants on the tires will oxidize faster if they are exposed often and continuously to temperature, oxygen, water, and UV radiation. And when that takes place, tire blooming starts.
Read also >> Why Does My Tire Keep Losing Air But No Hole (Easy Solution)
Can Tire Blooming Result from Tire Black or Tire Dressing?
There’s often a claim that tire black or specific tire dressings, either silicone- or water-based, will result in tire blooming. But truly speaking this doesn’t happen. While consistent application of tire treatment or tire black will keep the tires from “blooming” or developing those unsightly brown stains.
But there’s a catch—whether you apply the tire black or even not, tire blooming happens when thorough cleaning isn’t done. And it makes no difference whether you have brand-new or used tires. Tire blooming would happen more frequently if you don’t wash the tires.
How to Stop and Remove Tire Blooming | The 4 Quickest Steps
The good news is that tire blooming is rather quick and simple to stop and remove.
The easiest and only technique to prevent tire blooming is to regularly rinse and wash the rims and tires.
These simple measures above will help you say goodbye to unsightly tire blooms:
Step 1: Cleaning the rims and tires during every wash of your car
It should be the first step of your car washing process. Confess it! Most people keep attention only to the outside surfaces while ignoring the rims and tires.
Don’t forget that the wheels and tires are the most filthy components of your car. Thus you should pay more attention to them. Make sure to wash them with special cleansers every time you wash your car.
Using a little drop of liquid detergent can be more efficient in removing tough dirt and marks like muck and tire grit. But, if you don’t intend to varnish or polish the car afterward, avoid using liquid soap to clean the paintwork and glass.
Use a pad or gentle tire brush to wipe the rims and tires thoroughly after dipping them in the cleanser.
Recommendation: Dishwasher can break down or eliminate wax from your car’s paintwork. Additionally, this will dry off the plastic and rubber components on your car’s outside. So, avoid using dish soap for washing your car.
Step 2: Washing the tires properly
Use a hose with water flowing and carefully wash the tires and wheels of any remaining soap. Don’t forget to wash off all residual soaps before you dry your car.
Step 3: Drying off with a clean rag
This step is very important. Unless you don’t wipe off the residual water your car components can corrode. You can use a cotton rag or terry cloth to properly wipe off the residual water from the wheels and tires.
You may still notice brownish stains on the sidewalls of your car if there is severe tire blooming, however, don’t give up hope!
Step 4: Employing tire dressing or tire black
Last but not least, this step is necessary for the appearance of your car. Use a smooth adhesive pad or cotton swab, and apply tire dressing to the side walls of the car. You can get the optimum outcome with moderate effort.
All you need to do is lightly paint each tire. If tire black is not available, you can go for Armor All Protectant or a comparable product.
We recommend using a water-based tire black, however, silicon-based ones have a longer lifespan and provide more resistance against fading and Ultraviolet ray harm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are my brand-new tires becoming brown?
Antiozonant, a rubber agent used by producers, causes tires to turn brown. By nature, antiozonants defend against fungal decay and tire breaking driven by oxygen, sunshine, environmental degradation, and road debris when driving.
Why do tires bloom?
Antiozonant eventually works its way to the upper rim of the tire case, which is why tires bloom. The substance forms a brown deposit on the outside of the tire as it interacts with the air.
Are dirty-looking new tires normal?
Due to the antiozonant buildup on your rubber tires, they appear unclean. Producers use this to shield tires from damaging UV and oxygen radiation. The antiozonant develops a brown hue when reacts with oxygen, making your tires appear worn out.
When should tires be cleaned?
Usually, every 7-14 days is the recommended practice, however, this can change depending on how long you ride your vehicle and the routes you frequently use. After every 2 to 3 months, all car tires should also receive a thorough washing and waxing using premium, tire-specific solvents.
Is tire dressing harmful for your tires?
Tire dressing made from petroleum is harmful to your tires. This is so since a lot of the components facilitating the solvent to be effectively kept in an aerosol can are terrible for your tires. Your tires will eventually turn brown from this, and they will also start to break.
Final Summary
Sidewall tire blooming will happen more frequently if you leave tires covered in thick mud, filth, and dirt. To permanently remove the tire’s unsightly brown stains, all that is necessary is routine washing and a generous application of tire black or tire dressing.
Do follow this guide to know the proper steps for preventing uncontrolled tire blooming. It’s time to keep your tires appearing great by stopping tire blooming!
