Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

[John D.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

The Mequiars looks super. You might also want to try Armorall Low Shine. Has a natural, low-gloss finish unlike the fake looking Armorall high shine. Great to use on any rubber on the car.
Dave Cardina introduced me to it when we were prepping my 63 for the shows. JD

[Glenn B.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I never expected to see such a wide array of methods to clean up the tires.

I cleaned them up last night. First, I tried scrubbing them down with Simple Green and that looked OK but not great. Then I tried scrubbing them down with Ajax and then hosing them off with a garden hose sprayer but they looked like hell.

So finally, I tried wiping them down with lacquer thinner and paper towels and they looked really nice and then followed up with Pledge lemon polish as indicated above and now they look super!

There are no FLAPS where I live but this week, I will go down the road and pick up some Meguiar's and test it on the back side of one of the tires and see if it is compatible with the Pledge. I've always used Pledge on the interior but never thought to use it on the tires. Thanks again! PT

[Jack H.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Remember, the judging criteria is...as manufactured by Chevrolet and delivered to the original owner with then current dealer prep.

The tires were simply washed with the car and NOT polished out/waxed to gleam so you could comb your hair in the sidewall reflection. Various tire dressing and wax/brightening agents is the kind of treatment typically seen at a concours d'elegance vs. factory concours show...

[Alger R.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Over the last several months, I have picked up 5 NOS White Letter Firestone 500 Tires for my 75. All appear to be in great shape but exhibit much chalking and/or discoloration. I tried Whitewall cleaner, soap and scrub brush. This improved the look but still not acceptable. I see comments on "Paint Thinner & Rags" below. Any comments on this being the fix I need? (I realize these are the recalled tires and intend to use them for NCRS judging only so I have a second set of nice tires and wheels for driving)

[Glenn B.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

I have been using Mothers Reflections Natural finish for 2 years; works great. Used it on the 73 at the Fl.show back in January. It dries to semi
flat,looks(natural).

Glenn

[Alan D.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

I just used some commercial "grease & wax remover" worked great. Need a tooth brush for recessed edges near tread. Then drove to Regional show room for judging.

Normally use "303" which is compatible with rubber and has UV protection and does not leave a shine. (Believe its the same stuff or close to as Meguiars) Will be wiping on some 303 for storage time however.

[James M.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Anyone have a source for Armorall Low Shine? I thought they had discontinued it a long time back.

Thanks

[Edward S.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Every time I purchased it I bought it at the auto department of a supermarket chain here in New Jersey, last time I bought a good quantity and have not needed to get more yet. I am sure if you contact them they could tell you where the product is sold near your location.

[Glenn D.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Anyone have a suggestion to get the RWL white ? Mine have a slight brownish color at the tops of the letters. I have tried SOS pads and Simple Green.

[Louis T.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Hi James,

The Armor All product may have been reformulated or simply renamed – the current version, introduced in 2007, is called Natural Finish Detailer Protector, and is a natural finish, silicone-free combination cleaner and protectant. The non-greasy, residue-free formula is even suitable for steering wheels. I find it at the local auto parts chain stores.

Natural Finish Detailer Protectant

Regards,

Louis

[Kevin G.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Anyone have a suggestion to get the RWL white ? Mine have a slight brownish color at the tops of the letters. I have tried SOS pads and Simple Green.

Wesley's Tire White is the best thing for bringing up the letters!

Regards,

Kevin

[Erik S.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

I always thought judging was not a cleaning contest and that anything that could be solved with mild soap and water should not receive a condition deduction (but potentially just a minor deduction - if any - for cleanliness) But I am fairly new to this

[Tom L.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

Had the same problem and finally asked a woman. Very quickly she responded, "Soft scrub". I used it with a scotchbrite pad and it worked quite well. The fact that it has bleach in it probably helped. Have fun!

[William F.]

Re: Cleaning up the tires for NCRS Judging...

John, Great natural low shine look to your tires. Is that the full actual name of the Meguiars product?
Thanks