Hey I just bought a set of used Wrangler AT/S with Whitewalls. In addition to never being a big fan of whitewall or more specifically white embossed lettering. The white lettering is scratched faded and even more unappealing.

What are some of my options for turn these white letters to black without ruining the look of my otherwise great looking new (to me) tires?

http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae210/rockmozart13/Junk/0810101309.jpg


I saw a product Dupicolor Sells called Hot Tire Paint. Has anyone had any experience with this type of product?
Dupicolo Hot Tire Paint http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31RNH79GVSL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


or something more like this?
Forever Black Tire Dressing (http://www.autosportcatalog.com/tires-and-wheels/forever-black-tire-gel.cfm)
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/images/originals/tire_gel.jpg (http://www.autosportcatalog.com/tires-and-wheels/forever-black-tire-gel.cfm)

What if you took some steel wool and scrubbed the paint off? Might work.

The best way is to just flip the tires, so the white letters are mounted on the inside where you can't see them.

What if you took some steel wool and scrubbed the paint off? Might work.

btw, The white letters are not a paint, they are actual white rubber under the black rubber, and the moore you try to get them off the bigger and brighter they will get, lol. And if you try to grind them off, you will turn them into an actual white wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkcm3rh60p0

Thanks Creepy, I had a feeling that flipping them around was my best bet. I didn't even think about telling them at the shop. Not sure if it bothers me enough for the $80 or so bucks to flip them.

Yep, it's a bummer they didn't ask you which way you wanted them mounted, (they should have asked).

If you do decide to brighten them up, don't paint them, or do anything funky to them. Just get some nice all purpose cleaner, Castrol Super Clean, Simple Green, etc and use an outdoor grill brush. either the brass or the nylon bristles will work. All you have to do is spray the cleaner directly on the letters, and then work it out with the grill brush. Rinse and repeat as needed.

yeah i went after em with some Wesleys Bleche White, some turned whiter, some went black.


So that's a definite NO on the black or white tire paint? I just want them to look similar at this point.

Good thing you didn't hit them with the steel wool then...lol

found some 100 grit sandpaper lying around. went over the lettering that was in good shape and they came out great, on two of the tires, the lettering is starting to fray and fall apart so i just went very briefly then a once over with the Wesleys and they came out better for now.

Still gonna look into options for turning them BLACK.

In the typical CX response, "Krylon Fusion: satin black"

LOL

You could try one of the "vinyl dies". Either the stuff for exterior trim or interior surfaces.

When I bought my '10 I told the dealer to dismount the tires and remount all four and turn the white letters to the inside and the black to the outside. He was glad to do it free of charge knowing he was selling a new auto. I think the white letters look lame. Each to their own though.

I work at a Michelin tire factory, on the sidewall lines, so I know a little bit about sidewalls. Seriously, just have them turned so the black faces out, I don't think you'll have good results if you try to paint them. Oh, and there is no way I would drive on those tires that guy took a grinder to. Tire companies spend millions of dollars on R&D to make sure that the tires are safe to drive on, to say that grinding off a portion of the rubber on a tire is "no big deal" is really a bad idea, imo.

As stated in my earlier reply. Spend a l little bit of money and have them dismounted and remounted and balanced with the black side walls showing outward. DO NOT grind down the letters, u will have just ruined a good set of tires, plus they will look like crap.

yeah, i'm gonna have them switched this week when i go for my inspection

good man. u won't be sorry, grease them up good and stand back and admire, especially if ur ride is black.