There is something special about clean whitewall tires. Upon first impression, they conjure up images from the past, for the younger generation, mostly from movies. Some things belong in the classic genre, and classics never die. Such is the case for these stylish tires.
Back in the day, all tires were white due to the zinc oxide used in the tire manufacturing industry. This chemical compound was used to prevent or delay premature rubber wear. Even though perceived as luxurious, all white tires soon gave way to carbon black tires.
Carbon black tires took over the industry as it was deemed that these tires better conserve the rubber and provide superior traction power than the outmoded all white ones.
Whitewall tires will give your vehicle a special flair and old-school charm, if you keep them clean of course. There is hardly anything more unflattering on a car than dirty whitewall tires.
Tools for the Job
As you can imagine these types of tires get dirty quite easily; white is not the ideal color for rolling around on the ground! But if you’re willing to put in some extra effort and do a little bit of maintenance for that extra sense of class, here are the tools for the job you will need:
- 1. Cleaner designed specifically for whitewall tires
- 2. Scrub brush
- 3. SOS pads
- 4. Pressure washer or garden hose
The Cleaning Process
To get the desired result you need to use a cleaner that is specifically designed for whitewall tires. In order to conserve your whitewall tires DO NOT use household cleaners that contain chlorine and/or alcohol, the same goes for tire cleaners that contain those elements. They will get the job done but they will definitely have a negative long-term impact on your tires. The best option is to use an all-natural whitewall cleaner.
First, wet your tires and use a wet SOS pad to pre-rinse. Next, spray the cleaner on the whitewall. If your chosen tire cleaning product is in liquid form, rather than spray, mix the product in a bucket with water. Soak your SOS pad in the mixture and wipe on the tire. After you’ve let the cleaner sit for a bit, it should help break down the dirt on your tires and intensify the white shine. After the cleaner worked its magic for about 5 minutes, the rinsing should start.
Use your scrub brush to give the walls a thorough and vigorous cleaning. To get the best result, you should put some elbow grease into your scrubbing. Rinse your tires every few minutes while you wash them to see how clean they are getting. Reapply your cleaning product and continue until you are satisfied with the results after rinsing. After you have scrubbed your tires clean, use the pressure washer or hose to rinse them off thoroughly.
Tough Stains
Sometimes these tires can get brown and yellow stains which are not easy to clean. In this case you may have to use sandpaper or a scrub pad. You need to do this task with a light hand so as to not damage the tire while removing the layered build up of dirt and grime. Sand away the yellowed layer slowly and gently until a bright white layer emerges underneath and rinse the tires afterward.
Extra White
In order to really accentuate the white on your whitewall tires, you can use baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp cloth or sponge. Wipe the surface of your whitewall tires in small, circular motions. Rinse the tires clean. Rinse the cloth and reapply baking soda every few minutes until you’re satisfied with the results. You can also use eraser cleaning pads. Wet both the pad and your tires and wipe the tires down in small, circular motions. For best results, rinse or replace the pads between tires.
Keep Whitewall Tires Clean
After you’ve put all this valiant effort into making sure your whitewall tires look just the way you want, the next task is to keep them in that state for as long as possible.
To maintain that white shine and prevent heavy duty cleaning you need to repeat this process at least twice a month. Use water, whitewall tire cleaner and a rag or sponge. If you do this frequently enough (a weekly cleaning would be optimal) a gentle soap should be effective enough to use.
If there is persistent dirt or discoloration, which is less likely if tires are regularly cleaned, research your options and use a stronger whitewall tire cleaner and scrub pad.
You can also use a water-based dressing to give your tires shine and protect them from harmful UV rays. Purchase the dressing and a foam applicator for it in the automotive department of most department stores, or online. Apply the foam to the applicator and wipe it onto your tires evenly until the desired effect is reached.
It takes some effort to keep your whitewall tires looking their best, as beauty takes patience and maintenance. But there is no replacing that feeling of freedom and individuality when you roll out on the street, sporting your clean, shiny whitewall tires.
