White lettering on tires (Revisited)
 

I was going through some of the post's in the general section as I always do, when I saw a thread for White lettering on tires. It had a few pictures of some cars with the White lettering on them and I thought it looked pretty cool. As I was reading through the post it looked like the two most popular ways of achieving this were:
1.) use a White paint pen
2.) use a stencil and spray paint them on.
As I continued reading through this thread it didn't look so promising for either one as both methods only last for a couple of day's, or a week at tops before they turned brown or starting to come completely off. I liked the look but wasn't about to redo my tires every week or so. I did an internet search and I found this company called www.tredwearletters.com They offered a kit that included White raised permanent lettering that you use with there adhesive to achieve the same look as the other two methods mentioned above but these can be easily cleaned. I called the number provided on the website and talked with a gentleman named Michael Hunt about there product. Michael was a super cool dude and a car enthusiast as well and come to find out he has a C4 Corvette. He was more then happy to answer all of my questions about there product so I ended up buying a kit for my car after our conversation. I think It's a very cool appearance mod that doesn't break the bank. I thought I would do a step by step write up on this mod. So any one else who was on the fence about doing this can see the process and how the finished product looks.

With that said on to the write up.

Step 1.) Cleaning and prepping the tires :

I started by using hot water and dawn dish washing detergent, A bristle brush and some simple green. Spray the tires generously with the simple green and then dip the brush into your water with the dawn detergent and start scrubbing. Rinse and repeat a few times.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psrpuojn71.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psrihq22jd.jpg

Then using some light sandpaper lightly sand the areas were you will be putting the White raised lettering on. The key here is to make sure you have removed all the dirt and tire shine off the tire.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...pswwfuqhbn.jpg

Make sure you pull off the little nubbies on the tire were the lettering will be going.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psmofwgjwz.jpg

After that I use some more simple green and then applied rubbing alcohol as the last step.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps8rgdyxwv.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psfw8banjr.jpg

Step 2.) Deciding were you want the lettering

You can install the lettering anywhere on the side wall. Mine for example is using the factory Nitto lettering on top and 555 on the bottom. I decided to use the flat spaces on the side wall to promote better adhesion but Michael assured me that I could install them anywhere. The lettering is curved so just use the line going around your tire closets to the rim as a guide line.

Step 3.) Preparing the letters with adhesive

The directions state that the temp should be at least 65 degrees I wiped the back of the letters and numbers with simple green and then rubbing alcohol. I then used a very thin line of the adhesive in the middle of the letters and numbers and then spread it out to the corners (remember a little goes a long way and will adhere and bond to the tire much better) once the adhesion is on start applying pressure at the bottom of your letters or numbers and work your way to the top. If the corners are lose use a toothpick with some adhesive on to touch up. It takes a hour for it to dry and you can now enjoy your new White lettering. Clean up is easy as you just spray some simple green on the letters and use a brush to knock off any dirt or grime. This kit has been on my car now for several weeks and I have driven in the rain about half a dozen times and they cleaned up perfect. I also decided to get a set for my M/T drag radials as well. Here's a photo I took today of what they look like on the vett. :cool:


http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psjutnr6cf.jpg

As far as durability here's a short clip from the drag strip. If these suckers were gonna come off they would of during these burn outs lol.

Video:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...psh9xzltyq.mp4

Video:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps2kujsqq0.mp4

Anyway just thought I would share :seeya

Very cool....:cool:....Love the white letter look. That's for trying it out and letting us know what to do. Might just have to give it a try.

Not for me!! :ack:

Loved white letters on my 80, not so much on a C5.

:iagree:

Awesome, they look great in person. I may even give it a shot after I'm done with other projects, my only hesitation is rear tires don't last very long on my car.

I guess it really depends on the direction you take with the car and not the car itself. Doesn't look too bad to me OP. Either way, good job with the prep and how-to. :thumbs:

I like em, and what's cool is its different, everyone has their own taste, that's what keeps everything from getting boring. Great Job :thumbs:

saw these awhile back I just thought the idea was cool I don't have white letters or wanted white letters but did I get flamed here is the post by the way nice job
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tire-fans.html

:iagree:

While it is not a look that I would want on my car, it is different and nothing wrong with that. Hope the lettering stays on for a long time.

BTW, nice write up too.

Awesome. Gonna do it on some new tires and might practice on these run flats in the mean time.

First white letters I've seen on a C5. My initial thought was maybe... But I have to admit they look pretty good on your car! :thumbs:

That looks awesome IMO.

I have the same tires.... very tempting to copy you.

I used to love the look of the red and gold line tires as a kid.

Might have an alignment issue with the rear tires - probably want to get that checked. :rofl::rofl:

OP - A different look for sure, but I like that. :thumbs:

I would think the RWL look on a C5 would go best with a car that has a racing theme to it. I would not do it on my car, but it wouldn't fit my theme.

Nice write up. :cheers:

I actually think that looks pretty cool on your C5. I agree that it takes a race-theme to pull it off well though.

Just a word of caution - I tried to use simple green to clean the white letters on my C3's Goodyears. My wheels are the stock aluminum with no coating on them. Simple green does not like bare aluminum.

Ask me how I know - because I spent 3 hours polishing the discoloration out of the wheels after that. I would be very cautious using simple green around any bare aluminum and would look for a different degreaser if I had polished aluminum wheels (or polished calipers like my Camaro).

I liked the look back in the 70's on certain cars. Not so much today!

I like it it's different , I also like it on my 80 , :canadaflag: