Ah, the Boogeyman of old Taiyo cars- the TIRES. Dang these things make or break your car, and even if they're not cracked they look like they're a hundred years old, dry, powdery & just not up to snuff. What I use is Tire Paint. Yup, this is formulated just for rubber car tires, to make 'em look like new, and it is permanent, water-based and easy to apply (If they're cracked this will not fix 'em though, Duh.) . I wash the tires well - 303 Tire & Rubber Cleaner, Wesley's Bleche-Wite, or elbow grease and Dawn) with a stiff toothbrush and dry.

I use M.E. Miller ready-to-use tire paint, and the thing I like is that you just basically paint like normal but use enough that it's REAL wet: Make sure it's in all the crannies and the bigger areas largely take care of themselves, then let dry for a few hours. Really. Get a somewhat long-bristled, soft brush, get into the nooks & such, make some attempt to 'smooth' like normal, and let dry: It'll puddle up a bit in some areas and be soaking wet with paint & you'll swear it'll dry all patchy, but it does NOT- (Pic below, before left and after right.) Just make sure to get it all in 1 go and dry overnight, as repeated applications can look a tad patchy. That's IT. It will NOT come off if you stretch, mangle, drive on, or abuse your tires, except of course mechanical abrasion.- Really a great upgrade & WELL worth the effort.

I had my doubts & thought it'd come off as soon as I stretched the tire to get it on, or my fingers would rub it off while doing same- Forget that.  I use it now on any tires that look substandard, and some other rubber hobby things too!  Hope this tip ups the look of some of your collection!  Chris  REC

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