Best way to clean forgotten white walls?

[1996BLKBauer]

So I Bought new rims for my Explorer, and I want to flip the whites out due to the fact that the truck is black, and the wheels are black, and the tires are black, so I want the whites to break it up a little, but I have never cleaned them. so they have a brownish buildup on them, which I know from my mothers Jeep, is a huge pain to clean off, So does anybody have a effective way to clean my whites up?

 

[sport97]

They make a product called "bleach white" that works really well

 

[1996BLKBauer]

They make a product called "bleach white" that works really well

Thanks, but I have read in many places that this stuff is very strong and can actually stain wheels, and since me wheels are painted black I am fearing that that may happen...

 

[sport97]

It definitely is strong. I could see why you would think it would damage paint. I was cleaning grease off my old tractor (it cuts dirt and grease the same as engine degreaser) and it ate the paint on it but that was not clearcoated paint...

Maybe just soaking the brush in it so you don't spray it all over the wheels?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

It definitely is strong. I could see why you would think it would damage paint. I was cleaning grease off my old tractor (it cuts dirt and grease the same as engine degreaser) and it ate the paint on it but that was not clearcoated paint...

Maybe just soaking the brush in it so you don't spray it all over the wheels?

Dang! I may try it out like you said, I have looked it up before, some say a scotch bright pad, and clorox, others say dish soap and steal wool, and some say Simple green and a brush. I cannot make up my mind really, I just wan the white to stand out, and not be cleaning each tire for 10-15 minutes.

 

[Turdle]

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[1996BLKBauer]

 

[scdix50]

You can use 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper with a mix of dish soap & water. This will clean and remove light cracks.

 

[FROADER]

x2 on the SOS pads. I used those on my motorcycle tires with great results.

 

[OffTrac]

I wish all threads were pictograms.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I wish all threads were pictograms.

Me too, it makes it so much easier to understand.


Also I think I may try the SOS pads, they are cheap, and have a bit of abrasive to break down the tough stuff, all I need then is water, and clorox, which I already have. I take befores and after, to show how it turned out of course.

 

[swshawaii]

Use Armor All. It will give you a good excuse to buy new tires in a few months. JK.

 

[SteFin]

Don't reject this before you try it's quick, inexpensive, a petrolum product like the rubber, no mess. Gas dip the tip of a rag in a small amount wipe it on something so it doesnt' drip I detailed cars when I was young boy in the 60's lots of white walls and nothing aftermarket back then Works stays Working No breakdown or discoloration. SteFin

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Don't reject this before you try it's quick, inexpensive, a petrolum product like the rubber, no mess. Gas dip the tip of a rag in a small amount wipe it on something so it doesnt' drip I detailed cars when I was young boy in the 60's lots of white walls and nothing aftermarket back then Works stays Working No breakdown or discoloration. SteFin

wOw Never heard of that one before! Pretty neat. My first car had white walls, they were not fun to keep clean. I used Wesley's Bleach White, worked great, but if they were dirty it still involved some elbow grease. When I switched to aftermarket wheels and white letters I didnt want to risk the clearcoat, etc. It says right on the bottle could cause probs. So I switched to Fantastic and a nail brush. All the other posts sounds like a much faster alternative to Wesleys or Fantastic.

 

[admsbmr]

Eagle one tire and wheel cleaner and a preasure washer (self serve car wash) you will be shocked how this cuts the crap and leaves a nice clean tire with no scrubbing.

 

[Turdle]

Don't believe the "safe for wheels" claims either. If it will clean whitewalls with no scrubbing it will surely weaken clearcoat.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Jon, you think the bleach is safe for chrome wheels?

 

[Turdle]

Jon, you think the bleach is safe for chrome wheels?

I'm not sure, but usually chrome wheels get polished after tires are cleaned.Chrome is pretty tough.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Thanks, cant say mine get polished after every tire cleaning but I do keep them polished. I had purchased some Pirelli Scorpions from Tire Rack in an odd size so (not for the Explorer) all they had were new older stock (didnt know til I received them). The tires had a brownish stained color to them. Spent many hours trying to get them to look new. Never tried SOS or bleach. I think that would have save me alot of time.

 

[FIND]

Bleach isn't good for rubber, but it shouldn't hurt chrome if it isn't already damaged or pitting and you don't leave it on for hours... It can oxidize chrome if left soaking.

That bleach-white mentioned earlier in this thread is not bleach, but it will cut through any wax or polish you use on wheels since it is pretty alkaline. It shouldn't damage the coating, but, YMMV. I always used that stuff. Light spray on, stiff wet brush, rinse off to quickly clean off white-walls and white letters on tires I sold. I've used it on really nasty looking, neglected white letters too, seems to work fine.

Simple green and a stiff brush work great too... plus, you aught to have some simple green around anyway for cleaning other things.