1988 Spare Tire Rim

[John G.]

This is my '88 Anniversary spare tire (both sides) and tub. I'm planning on cleaning everything before flight judging being careful to not change or remove any of the markings/grease pencils/etc but should I:

Leave the rim as is or paint (if so what paint)?
On the tire should I use a tire shine product or just clean it with soap and water?

Any other helpful suggestions to minimize my points deductions?

88-corvette-spare-tire-carrier.jpg88-corvette-spare-tire-face.jpg88-corvette-spare-tire-back-and-jack.jpg

[Patrick N.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Hi John, for the tire, use soap and water to get most to the dirt off then Bleach White tire spray to get the brownish look out of your tire.

I do not know what paint to use on the rim. maybe SEMS? Depending on the condition of the rest of the car, you could just leave well enough alone.

Good luck
pat

[David H.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Carefully clean (don't destroy crayon marks, etc) with soap and water. With tire shine/repaint/etc you trade originality points for condition points. IMO you are better off with original surfaces (finish) and take any hit on condition. Tire shine/repaint by itself will generate a 20% originality deduction for FINISH. There are a total of 80 points out of 4500 assigned to cleanliness so it is not a cleaning contest. The judge needs to be able to read stampings etc so they should be ledgible. But don't clean so much you loose ink stamps, paper tags, etc that might still remain.

Also be careful with the black plastic bag containing the jack. Those bags are fragile. If you were to do anything, a gentle wipe with a damp cloth. Same as with the spare tire, just a gentle wipe with a damp rag to get the dust off. Surfaces "goo'd" up with armor all etc will all get originality deductions for finish. Your engine stamp pad should be clean, but no harsh abrasives/scapers/etc.

[John G.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Thanks - I'll do no paint, no tire shine, just carefully clean with soap, water and a soft brush. I know from my '61 which has a number of original marks to never touch these things. Onward to more things to fix such as the 5 light bulbs that I've already replaced (and I only knew about 2). Emergency brake which hasn't been used in 15 years is part of today's efforts.

[Patrick N.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

If the soap and water does not get all the dirt, I do recommend Bleche-White as part of the tire cleaning. if you have not used it, it is not a tire shine, it will pull all that "brown" out of the tire and restore to a more natural black.

[John G.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't used this product for several years. Have had good luck here in SW FL using Simple Green on both WW and BW tires. It look good enough after a cleaning to put it back in the tub and call it good.

[Ed N.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Once my spare tire is cleaned, I wipe it down with this product.

shopping.jpg

Here's what the final product looks like. Nice natural finish.

1995 Spare Tire.jpg

[John G.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

Is it a correct assumption that this is a zero point deduction product? Do you just carefully go around the yellow crayon marks on the tire or can this product go over them?

[Ed N.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

John, if your question is directed at me, I have never received a deduction for using this product. I have applied it on my yellow markings with a disposable paint brush and it did not remove it. Of course, this is my experience and I can't guarantee you the same results. If you want, after applying it with a brush you can wipe it down with a microfiber rag. It does not leave a shinny gloss when dried. I would clean with another product and apply #40 as a finish to bring back the black.

[John G.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

I'll go get some and give it a try. I think it's best to get every point that one can reasonably afford and has time for. Now if I can just find some Guide headlights for my '88 I'll be good.

[John G.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

I applied it and then used an old towel to remove/buff it. Looks like a good representation of what it likely looked like 28 years ago.
Good suggestion Ed.
88-corvette-spare-after-treatment.jpg

[Ed N.]

Re: 1988 Spare Tire Rim

I applied it and then used an old towel to remove/buff it. Looks like a good representation of what it likely looked like 28 years ago.
Good suggestion Ed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]70148[/ATTACH]

John, I would hit again. It only gets better. Brush it on and let soak in. Oh, check out this link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252371472469?ul_noapp=true