Excessive sun exposure damages tires because it can produce cracks in sidewalls and increase the chances of their blowout. In addition, excessively high temperatures can dry the rubber of wheels, and eventually, you can see cracks on their surface.
How To Protect Car Tires From Sun Damage? You can protect car tires from sun damage by using safe parking areas, tire covers, proper storage, cleaning, regular maintenance, and keeping them above the ground surface. Furthermore, you can also use rubber protectants, sunblock for wheels, wax, linseed, and baby oils.
It is necessary to protect the tires from the sun and UV lights because it can also fade their color, and you can see blisters on their surface.
Safe parking
You can protect the wheel from sun and ozone damage by providing a safe parking environment. Many people park their vehicles outside for a longer time without covering them.
Long-term exposure to sun heat can dry off the rubber oil and make them brittle and easy to break. You can resolve the problem by selecting safe and indoor parking lots.
Use the covers if you do not find enough space for indoor parking. You can also use the trees and green shade for parking purposes.
It is better to cover the garage area of your home to prevent direct sun exposure. Use the garage area for parking in the summer instead of lawns.
It is better to wait in shady areas when you do not find space in parking mall parking lots rather than keeping them outside without any covers.
Use tire covers
Tire covers are specially designed to protect the wheels from UV rays damage and dry rot.
The covers are mainly made of vinyl, polyester, canvas, and polypropylene materials. These can decrease the risk of damage by covering the wheels’ rubber and increasing their longevity.
You can also use them to cover the spare wheels present in your vehicles to tackle emergencies. These are available in different sizes, and you can select their size according to the brand and quality of the wheels.
These contain elastic ends for their fitting that can adequately cover the boundaries. However, it is better to place the full ones because these can also cover the rims and protect them from fading.
UV and rubber protectant
The UV and rubber protectant make a thin sheet on the surface of the car tires, and direct sun heat and UV lights cannot come in contact with the rubber material.
The application of these two sprays protects the side walls from damage and cracking. It is necessary to read the label before purchasing them.
Moreover, avoid selecting petroleum-based protectants because they can cause the deterioration of rubber material. Instead, spray the mixture on the wheels and make an even layer for better protection.
Buff the surface with a dry cloth after applying the rubber or UV protectant. These can last for a few days to months, depending on their manufacturing brand.
These can also maintain the shine of the wheels while reducing the risk of damage.
Remove tires during storage
It is better to remove the cars’ tires when they are not in use and you want to store them. The excessive pressure and weight on one side of the wheels for a long time are bad.
You can remove the wheels and store them in a better environment to protect them from sun and UV light damage. Keep them clean and dry while storing them for longer so moisture cannot cause deterioration.
The constant temperature and controlled environmental conditions are also necessary for better storage. Constant temperature changes and exposure to high and low temperatures can affect the rubber material.
It is also necessary to keep them away from direct sunlight exposure to reduce the leaching of oil and resins that help make them moist.
It is also better to raise them above the floor so high temperatures from the ground cannot affect the sidewalls. Use the jacks to raise them above the ground surface and avoid their contact with hot surfaces.
In addition, use the airbags to store the tires and prevent them from UV lights. Storage in airtight and vacuum-sealed bags reduces dry rot and oxidation reactions.
Cleaning and pressure maintenance
The proper cleaning and removal of dust can decrease the risk of damage and remove harmful chemicals.
Mix the dishwashing detergent with water in a small bucket and apply it on wheels. Rub the surface with a brush to remove accumulated mud and grease.
Wash it with tap water and dry it with a cloth to remove excessive moisture. Pressure maintenance is also necessary to protect the cracking and blistering problems.
The under-inflated car tires are at more risk of damage when you park them in open areas. The high temperature can produce overheating and increase the risk of their breaking.
Sunblock for tires
The sunblock protects the tire sidewalls from UV light and ozone degradation. In addition, it contains the tools for the application of the sprayed material.
These can maintain their shiny appearance by performing conditioning actions and making them wet. The high-quality sunblock liquid can last for years, and you do not have to apply them frequently.
It is better to reapply the layer of this protectant liquid in the rainy season because it can wash out the thin layer.
Open the packing and attach the spraying nozzle to the lid of the sunblock liquid for its right application. It is necessary to pre-wash the wheels and remove dust, dirt, and grease from their surface for smooth application.
Tire waxing
You can also apply wax on tires to protect them from the sun and ozone-related damage. The wax can form a thin layer on their surface and protect the drying and cracking of rubber material.
It is also helpful to restore the shine of the wheels and make them look new and finished. You can apply the wax with a cloth or use spray wax for the procedure.
It is better to wash the car tires from the service centers to remove dirt and debris from the designed and textured surface.
Leave it for a few hours and let the moisture dry out completely. Then, apply the wax clockwise and remove the excessive amount with a dry cloth. Ensure the even application and thin layer by wiping off the excessive amount.
Linseed and baby oils
Most shiny protectant sprays contain boiled or waxed linseed oil to make a protective layer. You can use the linseed oil to make your car’s tires shiny and reduce cracking and brittleness issues.
In addition, these can also keep their surface wet for a longer time and are easy to apply. These cannot deteriorate the rubber material and dries off quickly.
These do not last long on the wheels and are less effective. Therefore, applying them every 5 to 7 days is better because their shines start to lose after that period.
You cannot apply the linseed oil directly on the wheels. Use the cloth, pour a limited quantity of oil, and rub the surface with a moist cloth in a circular motion.
Leave it for 1 or 2 days for the drying procedure, and wipe off the excess oil using a dry cloth. It is necessary to wipe off the extra oil because it causes dirt and dust to accumulate.
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