Brake fluid and tyres

[a8hex]

When I got back from taking the XK out for a spin yesterday I noticed a puddle in an usual place under where she'd been parked in the garage. A bit of investigation showed it was brake fluid. Its stripped most of the paint off the back on the wire wheel and the tyre must having been sitting in a puddle of the brake fluid.

Is this likely to have any adverse affect on the tyre? I know brake fluid is bad for paint but how about tyres? I'll be truly miffed if it does, I've just fitted a full new set of Blockleys.

[elan_fan]

I would be more concerned with whether your tyre has flung the brake fluid outwards and onto the paint on the inner wings, give them a good wash down. As for your tyres, brake fluid is used in braking systems because one of its properties is that it doesn't attack rubber otherwise your seals would be perished.

[p1esk]

elan_fan said:

I would be more concerned with whether your tyre has flung the brake fluid outwards and onto the paint on the inner wings, give them a good wash down. As for your tyres, brake fluid is used in braking systems because one of its properties is that it doesn't attack rubber otherwise your seals would be perished.

Ah, but there are many different kinds of rubber, are there not? Some (as used for hydraulic components) are obviously resistant to brake fluid, but it may not be safe to say that the 'rubber' from which tyres are made will survive it OK.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Pigeon]

I find my experience concurs with elan_fan's logic, I've had tyres soaked in brake fluid and they have been perfectly OK... no signs of perishing, no funny wear on the bit of tread that was stood in the puddle of fluid.

[a8hex]

Thanks everyone.
When I've fixed the leak, I'll carefully clean down the tyre with hot soapy water.
The wheel's another matter, that's a painted wire wheel, so I guess I can look forward to cleaning down and repainting a set of wheels. What fun