Will isopropyl alcohol damage rubber?

[kapk22]

I have googled this and keep seeing mixed answers. Some say it’s fine to use once, and not to repeatedly use it, as it can dry out the rubber. Others say it can damage it.

I’ve used several different tire cleaners to get the blooming out and none are working. I used a small amount of 93% on about a two inch area with bad blooming and it immediately cleaned it off. It also seems to turn it black and shiny in part of the area.

Does anyone know if there is some definitive evidence supporting the use on tires?

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[Heimkehr]

I've used isopropyl alcohol (and, less frequently, denatured alcohol) as a go-to cleaner and surface prep agent for a variety of garage tasks, including tire sidewall cleaning. I've not observed any damage that could be credibly walked back to the use of those particular alcohols. In my view, using it as a cleaning agent is incidental contact at best.

My method is to use a well-saturated cotton rag to clean the surface in question, after which a thorough water rinse is done to remove all traces of any remaining alcohol.

As our vehicles are garage-kept, we don't experience the tire bloom, so to speak, that you may have to contend with. I therefore can't promise that isopropyl alcohol will clean as well as you might hope.

I don't recommend its use on painted surfaces, particularly powder coating, unless you've tested the surface in question to ensure that isopropyl alcohol won't strip away the clear and/or the base coat. Proceed very carefully if you decide to experiment with that particular approach.

I keep some denatured alcohol on hand as fuel for some of my camp stoves (of which I've too many ). It's also an excellent glass cleaner, which is no small matter when I have to clean the Jeep's windscreen after every warm-weather drive due to insect splatter.

 

[kapk22]

I've used isopropyl alcohol (and, less frequently, denatured alcohol) as a go-to cleaner and surface prep agent for a variety of garage tasks, including tire sidewall cleaning. I've not observed any damage that could be credibly walked back to the use of those particular alcohols. In my view, using it as a cleaning agent is incidental contact at best.

My method is to use a well-saturated cotton rag to clean the surface in question, after which a thorough water rinse is done to remove all traces of any remaining alcohol.

As our vehicles are garage-kept, we don't experience the tire bloom, so to speak, that you may have to contend with. I therefore can't promise that isopropyl alcohol will clean as well as you might hope.

I don't recommend its use on painted surfaces, particularly powder coating, unless you've tested the surface in question to ensure that isopropyl alcohol won't strip away the clear and/or the base coat. Proceed very carefully if you decide to experiment with that particular approach.

I keep some denatured alcohol on hand as fuel for some of my camp stoves (of which I've too many ). It's also an excellent glass cleaner, which is no small matter when I have to clean the Jeep's windscreen after every warm-weather drive due to insect splatter.

Thank you for the info. Exactly what I was looking for, real life experience... I appreciate the help. Happy Easter

 

[BXFXJeep]

Have you tried 303 protectant?

For the tires, wash to get off chunks of dirt, spray the 303, use a soft tire brush, maybe 2 coats, let it sit a bit, I usually do it at night after I wash.

On the Wrangler I put that ? on anything that isn't paint, bumpers, tires, inside, running board etc

 

[Flip]

I was walking around Walmart; I remembered I needed something to clean my muddy tires, so I bought a cheap bottle of degreaser for $4.79 called greased lightning. I go home and spray this cheap junk on my filthy, dirty, muddy, tires. I walked away for like 5-10 min, when I return the gosh dang tires looked like someone scrubbed them down with a wire brush and hosed them off with a power washer. I was like WHAT THE HECK did I just stumble upon. Unfortunately, the last time I checked this degreaser skyrocketed to $16.99

 

[nositting]

303 aerospace protectant works very well. no experience with alcohol

 

[kapk22]

Have you tried 303 protectant?

For the tires, wash to get off chunks of dirt, spray the 303, use a soft tire brush, maybe 2 coats, let it sit a bit, I usually do it at night after I wash.

On the Wrangler I put that ? on anything that isn't paint, bumpers, tires, inside, running board etc

303 did not work. I have used four bottles of it.

 

[kapk22]

Have you tried 303 protectant?

For the tires, wash to get off chunks of dirt, spray the 303, use a soft tire brush, maybe 2 coats, let it sit a bit, I usually do it at night after I wash.

On the Wrangler I put that ? on anything that isn't paint, bumpers, tires, inside, running board etc

I use 303 protect for my plastic, vinyl, bumpers, etc. As soon as I get the blooming off the tires, I plan on using it on them. Probably take a few coats. I do have 37" mud grapplers, so it will take some time and work. I'm hopeful it will prevent future blooming. The tires look terrible now.

 

[Ironhorse]

It will eventually eat your wiper blades, but ok for single use

 

[kapk22]

It will eventually eat your wiper blades, but ok for single use

Yeah, I remember the old trick on the blades. Just tried it on my wife's Bronco and it didn't help much. Must be because it's a Bronco

 

[Tncdrew]

I use a 4:1 ratio of water & 3D Orange Degreaser & a scrub brush for dealing with tire blooming...
Works pretty well.

 

[TrentYoung]

I use "Adam's Tire & Rubber Cleaner". Works really well and gets the tire back to black.

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