Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

[Wayne M.]

Just bought a set of used 205-75-15 whitewalls that badly need cleaning. Archives suggest Brillo or SOS pads to bring back the white; my wife mentioned liquid bleach. Input welcome.

Also, same set; one tire had curb scuff that has exposed white rubber beneath raised black lettering. Any black dye to hide these spots ? What would you use if you wanted to get rid of/hide the whitewall completely ?

[Duke W.]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Try Westley's Bleach White to clean the whitewalls. Also, years ago (pre-Armor-All) I used a product called black tire paint to keep the blackwalls looking nice. I found a can a few years ago and bought it, but I don't think it's commonly available nowadays. Also, as a side note, most new tires still have a lot of mold release on them. It may not be very noticeable when the tires are new, but in time it will turn brown. I've found the best thing to clean it off is mineral spirits, and it usually takes about three applications with rags paint brushes and tooth brushes to get into all the lettering.

Duke

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Best thing I ever used on white letter tires in the good old days, was Comet and a good brush. Use lots of water, but enough Comet to take advantage of its initial mild abrasive action. Never damaged any of my tires, and made 'em look great, both the white letters and the black sidewalls.

[dale pearman]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Lacquer thinner then dry wash! At least you'll enjoy cleaning them.

Varooooooooooooooooom!

[Michael W.]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Wayne,

Jean Coutu has Old Dutch Cleanser (500 gr.)on sale for .99 cents. Says right on the can that it works great on white walls (didn't mention your tire size though). I always found that Varsol works great for removing road crud and release agent.

Mike


Quebec NCRS Chapter

[John H.]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

I'm with Duke - have used Westley's Bleche-White for decades - best whitewall cleaner ever made. You might try one of the new dressings for flat black-painted bumpers to hide the white show-through.

John

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Bleech White works very well on Goldlines and Redlines also.

jerry

[Robert C.]

Re: Whitewall Tires INSIDE

Wayne. If you want to hide your whitewall, mount them on the inside of the wheel. Bleach-white is the best white/blackwall cleaner. But, don't get that stuff on alum. wheels. It will ruin them!


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Duke W.]

Westley's Bleche-White

I believe the active ingredient is Westley's is phosphoric acid - the active ingredient in "alumimprep", which is used to etch aluminum before the alodine conversion coating and painting. Also, phosphoric acid is the active ingredient in Lime-Away bathroom/kitchen cleaner. Bottom line - don't get is on your Knockoffs!

Duke

[John Rohe]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Hi Wayne,

For whitewalls/white letters I've had great success with Brillo or SOS soapy steel wool pads. I wouldn't recommend them EVERY time you clean them, but I never had the white wear out before the treads.

My standard quick-fix for anything that needs a black touch up is a permanent black magic marker, or just try a dab of flat/satin black paint. I'm not a big fan of blacking-out white walls, even if you do and mount them backwards you'll still be able to see the "ring" of the whitewall.

John R. #31818

p.s. While never a fan of whitewalls in general, I think they look great on midyears.

[casper]

Re: Whitewall Tires / Cleaning & Blackout

Just anote about Wesleys Bleach White, it will work with a stiff brush. Also the Brillo pad used occasionally will too. The active ingrediant in Wesleys phosphoric acid, is one of the MAIN ingrediants in Coca Cola!!!!! This will do in a pinch

[Jerry Clark]

Does this mean..

If I'm out of Coke I can drink Wesleys ????

jer

[casper]

Re: Dilute with.......

If your are REAL REAL thirsty,.........Myself I,d mix it with 2 parts Tequila eat the worm too!!!!! Just think how White your teeth will be!@#?