White wall care

[chiefdave]

The Cocker Classic 6.00R16 wide whites have been on my '49 since '06 and show no signs of deterioration except for the whitewalls are getting a little chalky. They only have 8K miles on them with lots of tread left and would like to keep from replacing them. Any suggestions other than Wesley's I hate that stuff.

[RKS.PA]

chiefdave, those Cokers are probably about 20 years old, given the manufacture date on the side wall. I've always been told that tires have a "shelf life" in addition to mileage.

Do you have any concerns about safety, the whitewall issue not withstanding?

[Automotive Stud]

I've had good luck with sos steel wool pads.

[TJ]

If the whitewalls are getting chalky I would think the tires are starting to deteriorate. Just because you still have a lot of tread doesn't mean that the tires are still good. Most tire shops will not even fix a flat if the tire is 7 or 8 years old. There's a reason for that and it's called "liability".

[Automotive Stud]

Originally Posted by TJ

If the whitewalls are getting chalky I would think the tires are starting to deteriorate. Just because you still have a lot of tread doesn't mean that the tires are still good. Most tire shops will not even fix a flat if the tire is 7 or 8 years old. There's a reason for that and it's called "liability".

While I'm sure there's some truth to that, I would think think the life of a tire on a classic car that is garaged is probably a lot longer than on a daily that sees more weather, temperature, and uv exposure.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

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Some have said d Magic Eraser works well ....

[oldskool]

getting back to the question diamond back recommends you use simple green on there white wall radials and not to use steel wool as they will turn the whitewalls yellow in time

[tubman]

We always used something called "Westley's Bleche White". I just looked and see it's now "Black Magic Bleche White", which it wasn't back in the day. It's probably like a lot of things, a shadow of it's former self. Might try it, though.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Some have said d Magic Eraser works well ....

[FlatheadTed]

I had the rear wheel of the other day and left greasy marks on the whitewall so I got some hand cleaner you know the one with sandy texture it seemed to work good ,

[51woodie]

When I bought the new "Firestone" 6:00 - 16 tires for my '46 from Universal in Hershey, the Tech that mounted them suggested Simple Green was the best. I have used it with a stiff natural bristle scrub brush to clean the WW's, and they still look like new after two years.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by tubman

We always used something called "Westley's Bleche White". I just looked and see it's now "Black Magic Bleche White", which it wasn't back in the day. It's probably like a lot of things, a shadow of it's former self. Might try it, though.

I tried the Westleys bleach white years ago big mistake I discovered it destroys the whitewall after a short time. Found small surface looking cracks. So I stopped using that stuff. Now I use is Mister Clean Fabreze which im sure is similar to Simple green which i would also use if needed.
Ronnieroadster

[aussie merc]

me i use white tennis shoe cleaner works a treat

[swedishsteel]

We have three sets of Diamondbacks- they instruct to use Simple Green and if a blemish/stain doesn't come off with just the soap, use some very fine sand paper. Has worked for us for close to ten years, and the whitewalls are as white as they were new.

[Royal Ryser]

Some good suggestions above about cleaning your white walls. I have a car with white walls probably 20 years old. (Here is where people will tell me they are no good!) After I had done most of the restoration, I had a lot of grease and other dirt on them. My best solution was to sand them with 320 sandpaper, using a orbital sander I have in my woodshop, with a bit of water. If you have such a tool, it will work for you.

[39portlander]

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

Some have said d Magic Eraser works well ....

Yes X's 2, scuff's on upholstery also.

[alandomer]

I use Simple Green and a scrub brush.

[slowforty]

Tubman is correct the new stuff does not work as well as the original stuff

[Tinker]

Simple green works really well. think it's still available. Spray, let sit, wash off with rag and water.

[50fordcoupeman]

I use "Super Clean". Similar to Simple Green in uses. It is about $8 a gallon concentrate. Very good degreaser too.