Restoring White Lettering on Tires

[IZRSSS]

I need some ideas on products you guys/gals use to restore white lettering on vintage repro tires. I purchased some about a year ago and they've been nothing but a PITA. I'm looking for something that looks as natural as posible and has been tested to hold up over time. Hopefully something that doesn't need to be done year after year.

Thanks

[lakeholme]

Westley's Bleche White
Let it soak for several minutes.
Scrub with a wet Brillo pad or wire brush.
Never found a substitute for hard scrubbing, sorry!
The classic wide whitewall owners will tell you not to use household bleach as it may turn the white a shade of yellow.
Also, never stack or lean the tires against each other. The black rubber will put streaks on your letters.

[IZRSSS]

Thanks Phil. I checked it out on line and Its seems like good stuff. Do you know if anyone else besides ACE carries it?

BTW...would fine sand paper be out of the question?

[Charley]

You could also try Mr Clean magic eraser from the grocery store. looks like a white eraser and is amazing at how well it cleans stuff.   And yes on the westleys, it also works great.

[vtfb68]

If all else fails try a smooth white pumice stone.
  VT

[lakeholme]

400 grit wet sanding is used on wide whitewalls,
I've also heard good things about Magic Eraser.

[IZRSSS]

Thanks guys...good info & happy Easter!

[68Zproject]

We always used 0000 steel wool.

[CAZ28]

Another vote for Westleys. I have used it for decades. Great stuff. I spray on and use a bristle brush. Makes the white letters white and the black tire black!

[maroman]

Marty, here on the east coast we have a product called Lestoil.  You may not have it. It is an old household cleaning product, I find it in REAL hardware stores or old grocery stores. It works the best for me on all rubber products, including white walls. I also use it to soften rubber grommets or pedal pads that can't be replaced. I soaked it into a pair of old stiff floormats several years ago and they've stayed plyable. The whitewall cleaner that Coker sells work very good too.

[camaro jock]

What do you do if the white letters turn light yellow I have tried Westleys,SOS pads, and assorted tire cleaners, would the next step be to paint them back on?

[lakeholme]

What do you do if the white letters turn light yellow I have tried Westleys,SOS pads, and assorted tire cleaners, would the next step be to paint them back on?

They turn yellow because the chemicals from the black bleed through, so any fix is temporary -including paint....

[IZRSSS]

Keep em com-in. I have 5 vehicles or 20 tires & 4 spares. I'll try em all...  

[CAZ28]

White shoe polish??

[maroman]

Keep em com-in. I have 5 vehicles or 20 tires & 4 spares. I'll try em all...   

I think that's called hoarding.