Can you believe it’s been around since the late 1800s? Though it was used to power vehicles in the early days, nowadays we mostly use vegetable oil as cooking fuel. But can you use vegetable oil to shine your tires?
To briefly answer the question of the day, The answer is not a simple one – vegetable oil can be used to clean and shine tires! If you’re looking for a cheap and environmentally friendly way to shine your tires, but it will actually damage your tires and make them more susceptible to wear and tear over time because of its chemical compound.
There is certainly more to learn about tires and how to care for them. Be sure to read the rest of this article to get all of the information that you need to know about tire care.
What happens when you use vegetable oil to shine your tires
Below are a few of the things that happen when you use vegetable oil to shine your tires
1. Attracts dirt
Using vegetable oil to shine your tires will certainly make your tires look spanking shiny but the oil will also attract dirt and make your tire look messy.
If you live in a place where your roads are not tarred or you are an offroad driver, this might not be the best idea as you will constantly have to clean your tires after going out on a drive.
2. Slippery
Another thing to note is that vegetable oil makes your tires quite slippery and sometimes loses traction.
This means that if you live in an area with a lot of rain, you might want to avoid using vegetable oil on your tires. The last thing you want is for your car to slip and slide all over the place when it’s raining!
3. Difficult to remove
Remember how difficult it is to get oils from your clothes? Well, vegetable oil can also be quite difficult to remove from your tires.
It would make your tires more difficult to clean because you have to use more time and effort to get the oils from the tires and if you’re not careful, you might end up with a big mess on your hands, clothes (and tires)!
4. Tires may become sticky
Another thing you should expect when using vegetable oils on your tires is that your tires may become sticky after using vegetable oil to shine them.
This is because vegetable oil is grease and it can leave a residue on your tires long after using it.
4. Oil can seep into the pores of the tire
Again Vegetable oil can actually seep into the pores of your tires which can cause dry rot. This is because the oils contain a compound that breaks tire rubber with time.
At first, they make the tires look good and shiny, but over time they dry out and cause cracks which results in rots, which also means you have to spend a few dollars to change your tires.
What to use instead of vegetable oil
There are a variety of ways to clean your tires and make sure they are spankingly shiny and good for the road, Keep reading to find out more ways to shine your tires.
1. Soap and water
The first and most obvious method is to use soap and water. This is the most gentle way to clean your tires and it will not damage the tire in any way.
All you need to do is add some dishwashing liquid to a bucket of warm water and give your tires a good scrub. Once you’re done, rinse them off with some clean water and they should be good as new!
2. Vinegar
Another great way to clean your tires is with vinegar. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that can remove stubborn dirt and grime from surfaces.
To use vinegar to clean your tires, simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl or bucket. Dip a cloth into the solution and then use it to scrub your tires clean.
Once you’re done, rinse your tires with clean water.
3. Baking soda
Another great option to clean your tires is with baking soda. Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used to remove dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces.
To use baking soda to clean your tires, simply mix equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl or bucket.
Dip a cloth into the solution and then use it to scrub your tires clean. Once you’re done, rinse your tires with clean water.
4. Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another great natural cleaner that can be used to clean your tires. Lemon juice contains citric acid which makes it a great choice for cleaning tough dirt and grime.
To use lemon juice to clean your tires, simply mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a bowl or bucket. Dip a cloth into the solution and then use it to scrub your tires clean. Once you’re done, rinse your tires with clean water.
5. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another great choice for cleaning your tires. Rubbing alcohol will remove dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces without damaging them.
To use rubbing alcohol to clean your tires, simply dip a cloth into the rubbing alcohol and then use it to scrub your tires clean. Once you’re done, rinse your tires with clean water.
These are just some of the ways you can clean your tires and make sure they are shining and looking good as new!.
How to keep tires looking new
If you have been following the article you now know the effects vegetable oil has on tires, you also know alternative methods you can use to make sure your tires are looking shiny. If you want to know how to preserve your tires and keep them looking shiny and new, keep reading
1. Regular cleaning
The first and obvious way to keep your tires looking new is to clean your tires regularly with soap and water, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or rubbing alcohol.
Cleaning your tires on a regular basis will remove dirt, grime, and stains that can damage your tires over time.
2. Tire dressing
Another great way to keep your tires looking new is to use a tire dressing. Tire dressings are products that are applied to the surface of the tire to protect it from wear and tear.
There are many different types of tire dressings on the market, so be sure to choose one that is right for you.
3. Avoiding road hazards
One of the best ways to keep your tires looking new is to avoid road hazards such as potholes, curbs, and debris. These hazards can cause damage to your tires that is difficult to repair.
If you do hit a road hazard, be sure to inspect your tires for any damage and have them repaired or replaced if necessary.
Following these tips will help you keep your tires looking new for years to come!
Final thoughts
Even though vegetable oil is a cheap and eco-friendly way to keep your tire shiny, vegetable oil may actually cause more harm than good when used on tires and I will advise against it simply because it can attract dust and dirt to your tires. If you must use vegetable oil, make sure you clean your tires regularly.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever used vegetable oil to shine your tires?
Do you have any other tips for keeping tires looking new? Share them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
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