20mercury

I have a set of BFG tires on my 68 with the white letters turning brown on the outside.

Thought I saw another post with others with the same problem.

I guess I could get all of them remounted with the black on the outside or I might try just painting the "brown" letters white again.

Any suggestions on what kind of white paint to buy if I go that route?

Thanks!

OldCarBum

How old are the tires? If the white letters are changing color due to the age of the tires or due to exposure to the elements, you may want to consider changing them rather than risk a blowout.

ddawson

Very common, even white walls do it.

As you drive the oils heat up and start to soak though. An SOS pad works wonders on removing it.

There is a local guy by me that steam cleans the white and applys a product that won't allow the oil to come though. He won't tell us what it is though.

I use the Bleche-Wite product. It's not as good as it use to be but still helps remove the stains.

20mercury

Good question and thanks. This set is only about 2 years old and maybe less than a 1000 miles. Should have included that in the post. Also stays indoors in a shop most of the time. I agree, old tires are bad news and asking for big trouble.

revitup

What size are they? I've heard that the problem is particular to the 255-60s.

CanadaGrant

SOS pads to clean the tires. I never use the tire dressings like armoral as they seem to attract dirt and turn the white lettering brown. I seal the tire by using Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax in the spray bottle on them. After cleaning completely wet the tire with it and just wipe it off. It seals the tires, keeps them from attracting dirt like the tire dressings and the white and black look new without the greasy stuff that discolors the lettering and looks like it was soaked in oil.

20mercury

Yep they are the 15 255 60's

John Ulrich

Mine have gone brown since new. I've tried all the usual "tricks" without any luck. I have tried sanding them with a sanding block found at home supply stores for $4.00ish with some success.

Tim Ware

Westley's tire bleach works great. Available at any parts store.

lvmyvt76

cobrachuck

Westley's tire bleach works great. Available at any parts store.
I agree with Tim Ware
I use a stiff close knit wire brush 7 they clean right up

GRipp 73

I have used the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with some good results. I haven't tried to seal the tires with anything after that yet. Might look into that next season. Thanks.

68notray

2 tricks work for me - wipe w/ lacquer thinner on a rag with just your fingertip, or the block sand trick. Both work very well

CanadaGrant

This is what mine looks like with Meguiar's quick spray wax instead of tire dressing. These tires are 4 years old, look new without that greasy look and it lasts for months. I found with Armorall the lettering started to brown and my wife was ready to murder me when her pant leg rubbed on the tire....

7T1vette

How often do you clean the tires? And 'how' do you clean your tires?

Tires need much more than soap and water to be cleaned. Rubber is porous and will hold dirt well; that's why even the black part of the tire turns brown after a while. To clean tires, you need a good bristle scrub brush, water, and scouring powder (Ajax, etc) or Westley's Bleche White spray (which I much prefer). Wet tire, shoot on Westley's (or put scouring powder on brush) and let soak for about a minute, scrub whole tire well, rinse. If you have white letters or white-walls, then put fresh scouring powder on brush (or Westley's spray, then brush the white stuff. Rinse again.

If it's been a long time since they've been cleaned, the white letters still might not be really white. After the tire dries, put some lacquer thinner on a cloth and wipe-down the white letters. They should clean up OK.

To keep them white, this should be done after every month of use...minimum.

revitup

My white lettering has always stayed bright white, wheels and tires looking good, with a simple process at each wash:
Wet the tire and wheel and spray the lettering with Westleys Bleach White;
Spray the wheel with wheel cleaner (I use Maguire's);
Scrub the entire tire, particularly the lettering, with a soapy plastic, stiff bristled brush;
Scrub inside the wheel slots with a soapy plastic, stiff bristled brush;
Wash the wheel with a soapy soft bristled wheel brush;
Rinse and dry.

rmgny44

After washing the tire I spray the wet lettering with "Simple Green" and scrub lightly with a "Scotch Brite" pad. Then Meguiars Endurance Tire spray and wipe the lettering with a clean rag. The Endurance spray says Hi-Gloss but it's more of a satin finish. Not greasy or wet looking.

20mercury

Thanks for all of the advice, will give it a try.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!

20mercury

Looks Great!!

And if you have my luck, it was white designer expensive pants!

Stephen Irons

I keep the white letters looking like new on my '78 by using a little White Spirit (I think you call it Mineral Spirits in the US) on each letter. Get it on a clean cloth and wipe each letter individually, using a clean piece of the cloth each time. No scrubbing or scratching of the white inset rubber. I just make sure that I don't drag the cleaner I use on the rest of the tyres over the letters.

But, I'll be interested to try the Ultimate Quick Wax method one day, but they look good now.