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The white letters on my new(1 year+) BF Goodrich tires are turning tan and brown. Does anyone else have this problem? Can they be painted? I have tried tire cleaner and even sanded them lightly with wet/dry sand paper. An internet search shows a lot of complaints with these tires and some people having them replaced with new tires that turn brown shortly after installation.
Thanks 68vetteman
My research and my experience suggests that "browning" (not just dirty) is caused from either defective materials or from the letters coming in contact with black sidewall from another tire - as you'd get from stacking the tires in storage/transport. These stains are typically permanent. I do have a friend that successfully returned a fairly new set of Cooper tires for staining. Cooper acknowledged a defect and made good on it.
If it's dirt you're dealing with, tire bleach and scrub brush + elbow grease will help. Since I was a kid washing my dad's car, I've used SOS pads with lots of success (and sore fingers at times). If really dirty, you might try a LIGHT application of lacquer thinner, using a WHITE terry towel, wiping only the surface of the individual letters. This must be done very carefully, as the lacquer thinner is actually removing the top surface of the letter/rubber itself. In fact, I've used Q tips instead of the terry towel at times for this project.
Keeping tire letters white is a regular maintenance item. You must stay on top of it. Letting the letters or side wall stripes get really dirty and expecting them to come back to white with infrequent effort will disappoint you in the end.
The white letters on my new(1 year+) BF Goodrich tires are turning tan and brown. Does anyone else have this problem? Can they be painted? I have tried tire cleaner and even sanded them lightly with wet/dry sand paper. An internet search shows a lot of complaints with these tires and some people having them replaced with new tires that turn brown shortly after installation.
Thanks 68vetteman
There was a thread recently where the OP managed to get his BF tyres replaced due to browning. I'll have a look for it
There has been lots of threads on this, and it is very common. I use Bleche White, brush and water....five minutes later they are white, and stay that way for a couple months....and then you have to do it again. No big deal.
There has been lots of threads on this, and it is very common. I use Bleche White, brush and water....five minutes later they are white, and stay that way for a couple months....and then you have to do it again. No big deal.
Yup. One of those weird little Mr.Clean white scrubby sponges from the supermarket works OK too.
They didn't used to do this years ago. as long as it cleans off easily I don't care much why
I don't drive mine and they turned brown just sitting in the garage. A forum member recommended using a drywall sanding block in one of the threads. It worked perfectly.
I bought these in 2009.
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Feb 24, 2018 at 09:38 AM.
Brown RWL's mean that they are dirty. Either they haven't been cleaned in a while OR because you've been using some petroleum-based "protectant" on them.
Clean them with Westley's "Blech White" cleaner (it's not spelled like normal English) and a scrub brush, then rinse; repeat if needed.
After cleaning, NEVER put a petroleum-based substance on your tires again. They will stay clean longer if you wipe them with a clear polymer protectant like Nu-Vinyl (not NU-Finish) or Meguiar's protectant for plastics.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 24, 2018 at 09:17 AM.
I bought new BFGs last spring and have not driven the car since. The 245s on the front are still white. The 255s on the rear turned brown. Must be something the factory did.
Thanks for your replies. The wheels are coming off and I'll try the bleche white product and see how they look. If it doesn't work a light sanding next. Hope I don't have to contact BF Goodrich.
Thanks 68vetteman
I've never had a condition where Bleech-Wite didn't clean RWLs. But, if that happens, using a clean rag/cloth with lacquer thinner to wipe them down should clean any 'difficult' material off. And, if that doesn't work, there was something amiss when the tires were made.
I bought new BFGs last spring and have not driven the car since. The 245s on the front are still white. The 255s on the rear turned brown. Must be something the factory did.
If you have the receipts for tires, contact bfg , think they are Michelin now. Anyways, they will put on brand new tires free.
I had 2 tires go brown 6 months after purchase, sent them pictures and receipt, a few weeks later tire shop replaced free of charge.
They actually have a pretty good warranty if you read up on their website.
So I'm at a car auction the other day....they have a mobile vendor there who is 'polishing' ancient white walls on a T-Bird.
I watched him....they were yellow/brown splotched and sh!tty.
He has an angle grinder with a heavy duty sanding disc on it...about 80-100 grit.
He sets up a fixture (simple) to keep the angle grinder at the exact angle needed.
He proceeds to grind off about 1/16th of white rubber.
The results were remarkable. In THIS case, the downside was all DOT markings on the whitewall were eradicated.
Comp T/A's do not have this problem....took him about 5 minutes a tire.
I have BFG RWL purchased in 2012 in the 70 series.
When they get brownish, I have found it could be brake dust sticking to my Armour all
treatment. I do not put it on the RWL any more just the black walls.
Yes Westley's works amazing. I had what we call Gangster white walls on HD dresser.
The got dirty on almost every trip out.
Rubber gloves, Westley's and a white rag and they looked like new when done.
Marshal
Raised White Letters
on them.
