THE SCIENCE

Automotive tires are engineered composite structures. Their tread, sidewall, inner liner, bead, carcass, and belt package use specialized elastomer compounds based on natural rubber and synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), and, in selected layers, butyl-based materials. These polymers are compounded with reinforcing carbon black and/or silica, processing oils, resins, zinc oxide, sulfur curing systems, accelerators, antioxidants, and antiozonants.

Steel wire provides strength in the belts and bead area, while polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid cords reinforce the carcass and help the tire retain its shape under inflation pressure, vehicle load, braking, and cornering forces. Carbon black gives conventional tires their deep black color while also reinforcing the rubber and helping protect it from ultraviolet exposure; silica is widely used to improve wet traction and rolling-resistance.

Even with protective additives, tire sidewalls and tread surfaces weather continuously in real-world service. Sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, ozone, oxygen, heat cycling, moisture, road salts, detergents, brake dust, and airborne grime gradually oxidize and dry the exposed rubber surface. As the surface ages, tires can lose their rich black appearance and develop a dull gray or brown cast, uneven coloration, embedded soil, chalky-looking bloom, and—in more advanced cases—fine ozone cracking. This visible aging can occur long before a tire reaches the end of its structural or tread life, which is why appearance-restoration products are valuable for cleaning, renewing color, and improving the perceived condition of exterior tire surfaces.

Automobile exterior trim is commonly made from plastics such as ABS, polypropylene, PVC, polycarbonate blends, and thermoplastic olefins, often selected for low weight, impact resistance, moldability, and cost. Black plastic trim—used for bumper moldings, rocker panels, mirror housings, cowl panels, wheel-arch cladding, and window surrounds—can lose its original appearance quickly because sunlight, heat, ozone, road grime, detergents, and temperature cycling degrade the surface. UV exposure in particular can oxidize the polymer and deplete surface additives, leading to fading, chalking, whitening, discoloration, and "tiger striping."

Metal trim may include aluminum, stainless steel, chrome-plated steel or plastic, zinc die-cast parts, and painted or anodized aluminum components. Although metals are generally more durable than uncoated plastics, they also weather in service: aluminum can oxidize and pit, plated finishes can dull or corrode after coating damage, and painted metal can fade, chip, or lose gloss.

Because automotive trim is continuously exposed to UV radiation, moisture, salt, airborne contaminants, abrasion, and repeated washing, it often shows visible age much sooner than the rest of the vehicle—creating a strong need for restoration coatings that renew color and appearance while providing durable environmental protection.

Tire treatment begins with a thorough cleaning of the tire using a specific aqueous or organic solution containing cleaning compounds. This removes dust, dirt, brake dust, and sticky materials. Heavily soiled tires are brushed. The tire is allowed to fully dry before application of the polymer treatment.

Trim treatment begins with cleaning using an aqueous solution containing surfactant compounds. This basically is analogous to cleaning one's car using a soap or detergent solution.

Our formulations are proprietary and contain various polymers, prepolymers, additives, and liquids. The formulations are solvent-based. This allows the best polymer compositions to be used in targeting performance (aesthetics and durability).

A chemical reaction occurs on the tire and trim surfaces. This allows excellent adhesion to the substrate and also promotes long-term durability. The compositions are fine-tuned in order to provide consistent, homogeneous treatments.

The formulas are designed to be used in both spray and rubbing format. Tire treatment utilizes spraying which is both convenient and allows treatment to occur within very fine features. Trim sections of the vehicle are normally treated using a compression foam pad. Fine detailing like front-end grills are treated with a spray applicator.

The "Patent Pending" formulation contains ingredients that, when mixed, creates a chemical reaction. Part A and Part B ingredients are mixed by the TIREGLOS™ professionals and subsequently applied to the working surface of the vehicle. As the solvent evaporates, the thin film becomes tacky to the touch. Depending on the ambient temperature, the tackiness will typically disappear within 1 – 4 hours.

The curing cycle is allowed to proceed at ambient temperature and the final, resulting polymer is cross-linked and adhered strongly to the substrate (tire or trim).