Tire protectant

[dyeager535]

I would like to know in the end how much it cost for the protectant, how much time you spent applying it, and how much longer you end up extending the life.
To me, the cost of tires is not much compared to my time.
I haven't found yet anything that ends up saving me money

I think it was around $40. *If* it does anything, and *if* the application actually lasts over a year and a half (not being driven) then I can't see a downside. With my 33's, pretty sure I can do two applies, maybe three for that cost.

Time to apply is definitely a factor, it probably took me an hour or two (it's like painting, I didn't want to get it everywhere and tried to ensure there was no gap in coverage in the tread). Sure hope it did something, these tires are probably $1k or more a set now, and I absolutely detest replacing them at most maybe 15k miles.

I didnt try getting some on the painted wheels, if it's ok to be sloppy with the stuff application could probably be a lot faster. I didnt have time to test and deal with potential ramifications of doing so.

 

[imiceman44]

I think it was around $40. *If* it does anything, and *if* the application actually lasts over a year and a half (not being driven) then I can't see a downside. With my 33's, pretty sure I can do two applies, maybe three for that cost.

Time to apply is definitely a factor, it probably took me an hour or two (it's like painting, I didn't want to get it everywhere and tried to ensure there was no gap in coverage in the tread). Sure hope it did something, these tires are probably $1k or more a set now, and I absolutely detest replacing them at most maybe 15k miles.

I didnt try getting some on the painted wheels, if it's ok to be sloppy with the stuff application could probably be a lot faster. I didnt have time to test and deal with potential ramifications of doing so.

I guess to my advantage I have too many cars sitting so I put the old tires on them so I can keep them mobile, and every time I get new tires I get rid of the oldest.
I have also sold some older tires with great tread to some young wheelers that wanted tires to beat on.

 

[trukman1]

I don't know what sort of longevity the D3 product has when driven or in direct sun (they say apply once a year). My truck sits and is in the shade 90%+ of the time, so UV isn't that big a threat to the tires. If the color of the tire means anything though, it has certainly held up well under those conditions. Only information I have to go off of is their marketing hype and visual, I just did a search and I still can't find any tests or studies that seem to be independent and address effectiveness of these types of products. The entire field appears to be hearsay and marketing, and almost all of the articles are focused on looks, not tire health.

I see the 303 says to reapply within 45 days, so not really useful in my situation since I'm not able to reapply for long periods. Keeping the tire pliable is really what I'm trying to do, and it seems there are two (marketing) approaches to this...seal the rubber from the atmosphere so the chemicals added during tire production don't leach out as fast, or address the loss of those chemicals by coating the tire in "fresh" chemicals.

Just from a laypersons standpoint, assuming both approaches are actually effective at what they say they do, then both seem valid to address the root problem.

Unless someone tests these products under controlled conditions, I'm not sure my experience means a ton. The variables between peoples results are too great to glean useful information from IMO, it ends up just being anecdotal information vs authoritative. I'm always hesitant to believe marketing.

I do know I've had to reapply every couple months using the regular 303 on the super soft compound tires. However, it was kind of expensive from my point of view buying in 16 oz bottles so I went on Amazon and found marine grade in the gallon jug for considerably less money. Not sure if it would be as effective, my son researched and found it was even better. Still I have to apply every couple months on the super soft compound tires but on the daily driver tires it's held up up with one application for over six months so far. Seems the softer the compound, the more often I need to reapply. Just my experience but on street tires it seems to last incredibly well. Hope this helps.

 

[CyberSniper]

Older than dirt BFG AT, stored indoors for the last 13 years with 303 on it.


Michelins from 2017 from my Wife's Equinox


Bridgestone Dueler AT from 2012, these are originally from my Mom's S10 blazer... she's a left foot braker and doesn't hit the brakes until Lewis Hamilton winces as seen by the tire wear. These ones literally looked fine in February when I picked up the Rubicant. This summer was *insanely* hot, I'm guessing the last of the good stuff leached out and they're just done.


BFG AT KO from 2009 and BFG Advantage TA SPORT LT LMNO QRSTUV from 2021 (I just put a new TPMS in it after scrubbing it with scrubbing bubbles aerosol)

 

[dyeager535]

Good pics. Again anecdotally, my trailer tires (car tires that see maybe 500lb constant load on the axle and sit as much or more than the truck) seem to last far longer before cracking, uncoated, than the trucks tires.

Just back from the woods, from what little I can see the BFG's are back to the washed out gray color. Tons of rain, a little mud. I didn't air down this time, so not as much flex in the tread as usual, but if the rain gives me a break one of these next few days, I'll inspect the tread closely.

I'd really like to reapply before it's parked again, since the tires are about to the age where cracks have formed prior. Assuming I don't see cracks already.

 

[CyberSniper]

Have you thought about cheap tire covers?

I put them on things that don't move very often (like my motorhome). I have tried this brand in both white and silver. They last 4-5 years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098PSGXB9

 

[dyeager535]

Have you thought about cheap tire covers?

I put them on things that don't move very often (like my motorhome). I have tried this brand in both white and silver. They last 4-5 years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098PSGXB9

I have, but from the way I understand tires to "work", the loss of pliability is going to happen whether covered or no as the chemicals leach out and are not distributed from the tires being used.

Given the amount of experience you have in this realm both with chemicals and tire covers, does it seem the covers alone make a significant difference? Cover both inboard and outboard sides of the tires?

Covers are certainly a lot less work than coatings. I didn't get to re-coat them, I was up until 4am doing oil changes the night before I had to leave...priorities. A significant amount of light brown water contaminated oil in one of the cars engine, which was interesting because it was the only one inside a garage. I figure that's more critical to take care of than tires.

 

[CyberSniper]

Tire covers are kind of a PITA, I only use them on things that don't move much and I care about the tires. I still use the 303 on them. It's mostly to keep the weather (rain) off them and the sun to a slightly less extent (bigger deal with white letters). Makes the 303 last longer.

I put the ones on the motorhome last week and sometime in the next month I'll park the Rubicant and it will get them also. The Rubicant tires are old (2022) but still full tread so I'm trying to get them to last. I put tire cradles under the motorhome, not sure about the Rubicant. The tires on the Rubicant do flat spot if I leave them for a couple weeks.