Author Topic: BEWARE - TYRE DRESSINGS CONTAINING "HEPTANE" STAIN AND DAMAGE YOUR WHITE PAINT!  (Read 4658 times)

Offline bruin3182

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Having scoured the T'inertnet after one of the members of the forum pointed out this possible cause of the yellow stains of the rear wheel arches of my car....

It would appear that YES - Most Tyre shine/dressings contain a chemical called HEPTANE!

And YES - this product damages and stains white paint!!

Beware everyione with a white motor!!

My cars tyres were dripping with Tyre dressing when I picked it up from new - and I'm currently in dispute with the Dealership over the cause of yellow/orange stains on my rear bumper at the wheel arches!!
Up until the morning of Tuesday 27th October 2009.... A one Month (700 mile old) MkVI GTI - Candy white - 3 door - Zenons - RCD 510 - Dynaudio - Monza Shadows

Offline FroGTI

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Garages tend to use a spray-on method, which is madness: I pour the dressing into a beaker and then apply it with a brush I bought solely for that purpose. This avoids getting any liquid on the paint or wheels. Incidentally, having tried at least 10 different brands of tyre dressing, I now use VW's own stuff (not normally available to the public), which my dealer kindly lets me have in exchange for a few bottles of beer :smiley: It's the only stuff I've found that withstands rain showers.

Offline p3asa

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Having scoured the T'inertnet after one of the members of the forum pointed out this possible cause of the yellow stains of the rear wheel arches of my car....

It would appear that YES - Most Tyre shine/dressings contain a chemical called HEPTANE!

And YES - this product damages and stains white paint!!


Bruin have you came across other folk with the same problem?  You would imagine if it was a chemical called Heptane then it would either be well known amongst the "detailing fraternity" or at least the manufacturers would recognise it and advise not to use it on white cars!

If it has sprayed on to the car then surely there is hope of removing it rather than being under the lacquer?

Anyway good luck.
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Offline p3asa

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Incidentally, having tried at least 10 different brands of tyre dressing, I now use VW's own stuff (not normally available to the public), which my dealer kindly lets me have in exchange for a few bottles of beer :smiley: It's the only stuff I've found that withstands rain showers.

I've found this stuff lasts for several weeks and can be used elsewhere.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-new-look-trim-gel/prod_143.html
HIS: R 5dr DSG Lapiz: Tech Pack: Keyless: 90% Tints: Pretorias: Rear View Camera
HERS:  GTI 5dr Manual DBP: Parking Pack: Car-Net App: 90% Privacy Glass. Ordered 05-12-15. Delivered 03-03-16
DONATED TO SON:  GTD 5dr Manual White: Nav Pro: Dynaudio: Winter Pack: Sport & Sound Pack: Rear View Camera: Park Assist. Ordered 19-02-14. Delivered: 07-06-14

Offline mac7

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Or just leave your tyres 'undressed'...
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Offline FamilyDub

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Or just leave your tyres 'undressed'...

+1!

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Jkctr

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Doesnt matter how you apply it just wipe off the excess with a cloth. Gives it a more real matt look anyway

Offline Snoopy

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Offline boardlord

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Bruin, In relation to your original post a couple of weeks ago. A mate of mine bought a Astra Nurburgring last year and when he washed it noticed some marks in the paint around the rear wheel arches. Vauxhall sent their UK warrenty manager to the dealer to look at the car within a week and between him and the dealer they agreed it was the manufacturers fault. However all they would do was to repaint the car! My mate didn't want his 2 week old car touched with a spray gun and handed it back to them with the keys. Vauxhall then found him another car at a dealer and arranged for that as a replacement. Hope this helps.
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Offline percymon

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Heptane isn't specifically noted on product labels, normally it'll just say contains petroleum spirits. Some don't list anything so you can't be sure unless you opt for something claimed to be natural like swizzol pneu or zymol tyre.

Turtle waxproducts are full of petroleum spirits as are a lot of autoglym products.