I used to scrub mine with soapy bleach water, a very stiff scrub brush, and lots of elbow grease.....not the easiest, but worked.

 

I had the same problem with some BFG's several years ago. No scrubs or cleaners worked so ultimately I bought a white paint tire marking pen and colored over the yellowed letters. Kind of a pain, but they looked good again. Check the manufacture date on your tires, they may need to be replaced if so old the letters are yellowing. I ultimately replaced mine due to age and not wear.

 

Try a Mr. Clean magic eraser. If its an organic change in color and not crud then paint seems to be the only real solution.

 

Wesleys Bleche wite always worked for my BFGs.

Oops, just saw where this was taken over by Black Magic and the product is not the same as the original (which is what I still have).

 

I've got a set of wide whites on my Merc and the manufacture said not to use bleach as they will turn yellow. The suggestion was Simple Green.

 

Wesley’s bleach white is my go to.

 

It's something in the rubber compound as they turned yellowish within 1 year of being new and I hadn't driven it.

I tried a paint marker on an old worn out tire to see how it would work. Looked good initially, but the paint finish cracked within a few months. That's why I was thinking of using a crayon/grease pencil as I know it doesn't crack. This is the paint product I tried...https://www.ebay.com/itm/5PC-White-...CK1luwWPR5YRII9JqL5pC7g==&checksum=36243834196185124175000a43969db251813ab81a17

How well (easy) does Wesley's or Black Magic work and how often does it need to be redone ? I don't want to have to use too much elbow grease !

Thanks for your input...

 

So after a little research, it sounds like Wesley's is no longer available and Black Magic doesn't compare in effectiveness. Any other suggestions ?

 

I use Bleche Wite (old version) during the wash and then use lacquer thinner on just the white letters. No scrubbing needed. Then apply Armour All and follow with lacquer thinner again to restore the whiteness of the letters. Have been doing this for years with no issues.

 

Lacquer thinner

 

Known issue with BFG white letters.

My buddy got new one about 6 weeks ago. Letters yellowed. He trying everything. Called BFG and the offered to replace them at no charge but said they would do the same yellow thing.

Interesting the spare in the trunk is still bright white letters.

 

I use cleanser and a brush. Then I use Black Magic "Tire Wet" (spray). I am not a "shinny" wet tire look guy. The directions say for a "wet" shine spray on and let soak in. For a "satin" look spray on a cloth then apply

I found spray direct onto tire (after using cleanser to scrub tires/white letters and letting tires dry) leaves a satin shine which is not a "wet" look vs using a rag to wipe the spray on the tire.

Last cruise I went to I got several "hey your tires look new" comments.

 

SOS pads are the most aggressive thing to try, otherwise westlys

 

Back in the day we used SOS pads....

Don

 

Scotch brite pad and comet. Actually any good cleanser. Sounds like a UV protection problem.

 

Mine stays indoors under a car cover 99% of the time. I really believe it's a brownish substance that exudes out of the rubber and of course much more noticeable on the white letters.

I'd like to try some type of wash and rinse cleaner on the entire sidewall to see how brown the runoff looks. Something easy as it seems like this will be a never ending chore.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

 

after years of cleaning went black wall tires easier to clean !!!!!!

 

I use purple power. Its the same thing as Castrol super clean, but cheaper. I spray it on my entire tire. Then use a stiff plastic bristle brush. Rense before it dries. Last time I cleaned them was January. The tires are 2 years old.

 

Thanks Keith, looks like it works well. Definitely requires a heavy duty cleanser that will cut oil/grease. I first tried some Gunk which acted like it would work ok. Then I tried Goof-Off which seemed better. I just sprayed it on a rag and wiped the sidewall, then sprayed it on a brush and scrubbed the letters and rinse thoroughly. Took about 5 min/ tire. I guess I can handle that. Hopefully it'll last a while.... ??

BTW, the rag and brush turn brownish-black immediately, but when I went over it a second time, there wasn't much discoloration.

 

Call me crazy..... a rag and WD40. Yep... You'd think it would just penetrate and make it worse. Whitens them right up. Try it!

 

I have cleaned spark plug wires with WD40...not tires though

but I suspect WD40 has 1000's of uses....

IDK what is in the BF Goodrich tire compound brings "brown" to the surface but for me, as I posted earlier, cleanser and a scrub brush clean it right up with little effort. YMMV

 

Back when I was a youngster working in a Chevron service station, a fellow youngster/employee would help himself to some brake fluid and wipe his tires down before going out on the town. 71 Camaro with slotted mags & Mickey Thompson meats. The tires sure shined for a while. I believe I did call him CRAZY a time a time or 2...

Of course some folks reading I used Goof Off are probably having the same thoughts !

 

Lacquer thinner does as good as anything I have tried. 4 of my cars have BFG RWL tires and the 2 oldest have no yellowing issues!!!!

 

I tried lacquer thinner a year or so ago. Problem with it is it evaporates so fast and requires too much to get the job done, imo.

I kinda think the yellowing problem started on the newer (last 10yrs or so) BFG tires. I had them back in the early 80's, right when they changed tread pattern and don't recall them turning yellow like this. Also, I have VW "Baja" I mess around with on our farm. It has BFG All-Terrain rear tires at least 20yrs old. The letters are white as can be and they certainly don't get any special attention.

 

I have cleaned spark plug wires with WD40...not tires though

Have used starting fluid also know as either on plug wires. Works Awsome. Spray it on a rag and then just wipe them off. Works great on every color wire.

 

This worked for me - available at home depot or walmart

 

Go to a Dollar Tree or Dollar General and buy a bottle of LA'a Totally Awesome Cleaner.
I just learned about it a week or so ago. This stuff is amazing. Cost's a buck and you'll
be floored as to it's power. Spray it on and let it sit a minute or so. Rinse it off. This stuff
is the BEST multipurpose cleaner EVER. Cuts grease, oil, etc. like nothing else and it's CHEAP.
I use it for cleaning anything tough now.