Billyboy746

I have heard a few ideas on cleaning and making the raised white letters on tires look pearly white. I have seen some photo albums on Classic Olds with very white letters.
I have used Westleys Blech White with some success and also the wet dry 400? Grit sandpaper with some success. My problem is that as soon as you clean the tire and you overlap onto the letters, they get dirty again.
Would love some tips to get the raised white letters pearly white and tires looking like new.
Thanks, Billy

chip-powell

Years ago, we always used a wire brush to clean the lettering. I understand what you are saying though. My advice, after cleaning and detailing the tires, try a magic eraser on the lettering. I know it works like magic (pun intended) on cleaning my white interior and door panels.

brown7373

If you are using any kind of tire shine, it will quickly bleed onto the white letters and make them dirty. Personally, I don't like the tire dressings. Rubber tires were never shiny. I use Westley's on the whole tire and they stay clean for extended periods.

brown7373

Just took a picture of one of my tires. Just so you know, I haven't washed or cleaned the tires since July 11. I drove it 500 miles on an antique car tour, through some driving rain storms and on some dirt roads. Since then, I have driven it 2-300 miles around town, also through some frequent rain in south Florida. Neither the car or the tires look dirty. Perfect? No but the point is they stay clean.

toymobile

I use OVEN CLEANER from dollar general, spray it on let sit for 3 min, just be sure to rinse very good.

Johnny

Koda

Tire wet is a silly product. Westley's bleach white and a fine wire brush is all you need. Wash the car, wash the wheels and the tires, then do the bleach white (spray on all four tires, then go back and brush then hose each in order) while car is still wet. Then dry the car.

TK-65

Oven Cleaner???


Comet on a scrub brush is all you need.

442Fred

Lacquer thinner on the letters only after the tires have been cleaned with comet or bleache white. I have used lacquer thinner on letters that were pretty bad and they cleaned up nicely but only a little bit on the rag and use one finger to clean the letter keeping a clean spot on the rag for each letter. It has worked for me your results may vary.

oldcutlass

Don't get any of the caustic cleaners on aluminum wheels.

JpMotorsports

spray nine and a scotch bright pad works great and dosent yellow like bleach cleaners

1971 442 convert

I have always used SOS pads with good success.

oldzzy

This!

Bunser

X2 on the S.O.S. pads. Ajax/comet and a brush will also do the job.

steverw

Im with the Comet and a good stiff brush, never had yellowing problems. Do it 2 times to make um good n white, just rinse it off good. It makes the black look new too.

67442nut

X3, except I use Brillo Pads.

RALLYE KID

X2 Works great!!!!

scottv442

ABSOLUTELY ALL U NEED. makes the black like new too
no harm to the tire.

Railguy

Oven cleaner is some pretty nasty stuff . you're braver than I am.
I never thought about whitening. I wonder how an eraser would work?
Railguy

Fun71

I used oven cleaner to strip the paint off my SSIII wheels when I was refinishing them. I am surprised that those using it to clean the tires don't have issues with staining the paint on the wheels.

YukonOlds

What sort of cleaner is Comet please, I haven't heard of it down here.

I just can't get my white lettering nice and white.

Thanks,
John

TK-65

Comet and a good scrub brush is all you EVER need. I dont know why would anybody would use lacquer thinner, over cleaner etc.

YukonOlds

Thank you,

We don't have that brand, but I will look for something similar and give it a try.

John

steverw

Theres one also called AJAX, same thing as Comet, different company.... i guess. Either will work the same. I have been using it and nothing else for 40ish years with great results.

YukonOlds

Are these like an extra strength creamy type of bleach rather than a thin liquid spray on bleach?

I am having a bit of trouble finding something similar to Comet.

Thanks,
John

BangScreech4-4-2

Toothpaste. The stuff with baking soda and extra whiteners. No, really.

m455sx

I use super clean in a pump up sprayer and use a stiff brush and scrub the entire tire and rinse and looks brand new.

Bfg

It's right next to Mercury!

Yellowstatue

Yukon--white abrasive powder-pot cleaner, scrubber.

oldsmobiledave

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Rustbucket2

Spray 9

zeeke

X2

Before you go crazy looking for other cleaners try the SOS or Brillo pads. You could first treat the rubber then use the pad just on the letters. If they are not to bad you might get away with just one for all 4 tires but chances are you will need 2.