VegasJen

I'm not looking for a shine type product but something that will prevent, and may even, slightly restore old tires before they start to crack and dry rot.

I have several bikes, and especially with the heat out here in the desert, tires can quickly age. I'd like to find something that might slow down or arrest that process. But since it's a bike tire, I don't want anything shiny or that will make the tire slick. And I really don't want to have to order some specialty concoction online. I'm really hoping to find something off the shelf at the local auto parts store or Wally World if you've had good experience with it.

Have any of you worked with products you like?

Iride01 

Water. Maybe with a mild detergent.

I've never cared for any of the so called dressings people like to put on their tires for any type of vehicle. The stuff in tire dressings is just as bad as the stuff you run through while riding, IMO.

Just keep them clean after you get various grime on them and they'll be okay.

ThermionicScott 

An opaque cover when you have to park it outside?

WhyFi

Ride the hell out of 'em and don't give them enough time to grow old?

Rolla

Indoor storage.

70sSanO

I haven’t used it on bike tires, but 303 Aerospace Protectant is really good at protecting against UV light.

I found out about it when I was researching how to bring my Jeep soft top plastic windows back and keep them from yellowing.

I used a car buffer to take out the scratches and then used 303 on them, and the top. Probably gave me another 4-5 years, and I could see through them, not something you need to worry about with bike tires. I also use it on plastic headlight covers.

Once tires crack, I don’t think there is anything you can do about it.

John

VegasJen

Ya, that's what I'm trying to prevent. As it stands right now, I have four bikes but I can only ride one at a time. And since I don't just ride exclusively, Each will sit for a week or more between rides.

And with summer fast approaching, my riding time is likely to get shorter and less frequent. Soon to be a time when the only activity will be indoor activity.

rsbob 

This is a German product that has an excellent reputation and I use it on my cars weather stripping and rubber bits. Expensive but works well. https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-9148...004B8GTQG?th=1

easyupbug 

Down here in Southern AZ with 17 bikes and that does not count the kids bikes for their visits what I use is what the RV folks down here use which is Aerospace 303 on the tires, keep them out of sunlight, away from as much heat as possible and very important not near a ozone generator like the motor of a furnace, heat pump, household vacuum, etc.

VegasJen

I would like to avoid having to buy online if possible, but will keep it in mind.
Thanks. Do you find that locally? Lots of snow birding around here too so I might be able to find something like that on the shelf.

easyupbug 

Walmart, Ace Hardware, NAPA, Auto Zone, Home Depot, it's all over down here.

rumrunn6

for a while, I was using protectant 303 for my vinyl/canvas soft top on my 4runners. armorall if you can't find that. if any product dries shiny I'm guessing the shine will fade rapidly but the protection would remain. maybe our resident Chemist will chime in ;-)

dedhed

The 3 most commonly used rubber "protectants" I know of are the already mentioned 303 aerospace (use on my poly kayak), the German Gummi pflege, and Honda Shin-Etsu grease (use on my auto weather stripping).

https://www.303products.com.au/
https://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett...re-stick.html#
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...eaks-shin-etsu