tire paint?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 6
From: Rockingham nc
tire paint?
anybody ever tried to paint the letters white on a set of tires? reason I'm asking is: I have a chance to get a set of radial T/As cheap but the letters were colored black with a sharpie. any ideas?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: Mertztown Pa
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/hottires.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Here is another paint pen you can try. I've been very pleased with it.
http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/?q=solid-marker
http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/?q=solid-marker
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
The raised white pletters are basically white rubber moulded to the side of the tire. Try using some original Goof Off on a rag on the letters, if not some laquer thinner (just don't bathe the tire in it!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Last edited by GREGG-73; Dec 11, 2009 at 12:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do as described above to get the raised letters as free of ink as possible; then place a sponge or rag soaked in bleach on them for a few minutes. See if that helps remove the discoloration. If not, you can try to sand the lettering down to remove the discolored surface. If the ink soaked in too deep, you'll have to re-color them to save them. If you decide to 'paint' them, use some bright white SEM 'Color Coat'. It will stick to vinyl/plastics, leather, and rubber products. Use a small brush and apply with care so you don't get it on the sides of the raised letters.
Afterthought: You know, you might be able to use an ink pad (get new, 'clean' pad at craft store in the stamp-pad area) to put some white dye in..then 'stamp' the new color onto the surface of the letters. If you do that lightly and carefully, that shouldn't put dye onto the sides of the letters. And, you could give it several coats that way to get full color onto them.
Afterthought: You know, you might be able to use an ink pad (get new, 'clean' pad at craft store in the stamp-pad area) to put some white dye in..then 'stamp' the new color onto the surface of the letters. If you do that lightly and carefully, that shouldn't put dye onto the sides of the letters. And, you could give it several coats that way to get full color onto them.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Dec 11, 2009 at 09:42 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
the above is correct on all tires i have worked with. the letters are molded in white. you can steel wool them or scotch brite scrub them and will look as new when the top layer is removed.
scrub flat to the face or you will reveal white on the sides of the letters..
scrub flat to the face or you will reveal white on the sides of the letters..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
I remember years ago I had a motorcycle that I painted the letters white. It was a paint pen that I think I got at pep boys. I do remember I had to re apply it every now and then. I know Duplicolor has different colors. Here is their site :
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/hottires.html
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/hottires.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
As I've did with many of my Goodyears, the white rubber goes deep. All you need to do is take a sander and clean it up. I've did it with many of my weathered white lettered tires. The lettering is the first to go.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
White letters are like white walls and run very deep. You have to be carefull with the edges though. Make sure you sand flat and use a sanding block or similar as stated above.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
was trying to think of how they spelled it then I got down to this. I would try this first, with a little water and a scrub brush. If that dont work I'd try the sanding/buffing to get fresh white rubber exposed. Not saying it cant be done, but any time I seen someone try and paint letters it looked tacky as hell.
