[Sneakerphile]

So, as you know, when certain shells are left for a long time, namely dark ones like the IBs or RHCPs, the rubber tends to take on a chalky look to it. Now, some poeple don't mind this and think it adds to the old skool look of the shoe, but I know that a few of you want them to look all spanky and new again and can't work out how.
Well, I may have a solution (no pun intended)
I am currently temping in the motor trade and have found a cleaning fluid that is advertised to "clean and restore tyres and rubber trim to an as new look."
So, I figured this stuff would be perfect for making the sneaks look factory fresh again.
I have gotten a sample of the stuff and will be testing it on a couple of my own dark pairs in the next few days. If it has the desired effect, I will post up my results. Then, if anyone is interested in getting some, just let me know and we'll sort something out.

This has been a public service announcement by Sneakerphile

[super sk8]

sounds cool to me. looking foreward for the pics.

[Whisky-Ace]

Nice Sneakerphile...
Cant wait to see the results...
Hope it work and dont do any thing nasty to your sneaks...

[Lorrie]

I suppose you could just use armor all, no?

I would be too worried about the long term effects to do this. Waking up in a couple of years to see holes in the shell of the affected pairs would be too much to take.

[Squeaky]

Great Sneakerphile. I really need something to fix my Berlin's with!!

[Sneakerphile]

Holes in the shells...
Highly unlikely mate. This stuff is silicone and solvent free. Its made for car tyres and rubber trim, so I doubt they'd make it to disolve rubber over time.

[Skåne aka PeteRePete]

That's the way to go, I always use products made for luxury car interior on my sneakers. You find the best restore product for leather for example.

But the products for vinyl I feel are a bit to glossy for my taste.

So I look forward to see your results, I belive your on something Sneakerphile!

[mr.pure]

Sounds a bit like Back to Black to me.
Be interested to see the results but I thought we had this kind of thing covered.

[Sneakerpimp]

What you want is tyre gel that car dealers use to make make the outsides of the tyres all lovely black and shiny, none corrosive as well

[bigrob]

I use a product called finish by auto smart . It's a rubber dressing & can basically be used on anything . It brings them up great

[Squeaky]

Back to black is one thing but what to do with other colors getting a bit chalky???

[ihatebono]

The chalky stuff is just oxide forming. Any product will probably just cover it up meaning it will show through again. Getting ride of the oxide would be hard without the use of any sort of solvent or acid. Alternatively you could stop it from happening in the first place by coating the rubber with some sort of wax/oil. I have a protector spray I got from JJB that’s oily its shit on the rest of the shoe but its good for the rubber. Saying that none of my black shells are old enough to have this problem.

[Tony L4]

Looking forward to the results

[bigrob]

The stuff I mentioned works on any colour & is available on eBay .

[pokey27]

And your next mission should you choose to take it is........FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET RID OF THE DREADED YELLOWING!!!!!!!