Whitewall tires offer that classic, retro look. The first tires were whitewalls, and tires didn’t become black until manufacturers started adding carbon black to them to improve the durability of the rubber.
At first, it was to keep costs down, but today, some drivers prefer whitewalls because they add pop and contrast to any ride.
But, as you may know, everything shows on whitewalls, from light scuffs to road grime, and excessive exposure to sunlight will cause yellowing and cracking over time.
Here are a few things you need to know to keep them spotless and white.
For Light Cleaning: Water and a Light Abrasive
If you’re proactive about cleaning your whitewalls, drive carefully, and clean routinely, they will stay whiter for longer. It is easier to keep your whitewalls white than to restore yellow whitewalls.
For routine cleaning, all you’ll need is cold water (and maybe some soap) as well as a sponge. Simply rub away any dark marks from the road and you’re good to go. Microfiber cloths can be highly useful for detailing work, too.
For More Abrasive Scuffs: Use a Dedicated Whitewall Cleaner
If your whitewalls are showing a lot of road grime accumulation, dark scuffs from contact with curbs or harsh turns, or are starting to yellow, you’ll need a purpose-formulated whitewall cleaner.
There are a wide range of effective whitewall cleaners on the market, such as Coker’s Wide White Whitewall Cleaner, Detail King Tire & Whitewall Cleaner, and Simple Green All Wheel & Tire Cleaner.
You can also mix a fairly powerful whitening solution at home with a little water and baking soda, which is naturally abrasive.
Apply your cleaner to the whitewall tires, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse or scrub it away (whatever the manufacturer’s directions indicate).
For particularly dirty whitewall tires, clean, scrub, and rinse several times.
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol or bleach, as these will destroy the rubber that constitutes the whitewall.
To Protect Against Light Damage: UV-Rated Silicone-Based Tire Dressing
Once you’ve cleaned your whitewall tires, you may want to add a layer of protection that shields them against grime and UV light that breaks down the rubber and induces yellowing in the first place.
For that, choose a top-quality UV-rated silicone-based tire dressing (silicon-based dressings are longer-lasting than water-based dressings) and apply it after cleaning as indicated by the manufacturer.
Optional: Add Tire Wet or Tire Shine for More Curb Appeal (Just Stay Away from the Curbs!)
Last but not least, you may choose to apply tire wet or tire shine to your whitewall tires to make them really pop. Just don’t over apply tire shine, and never apply it to the treads.
Keeping Them White: Be Preemptive
The best advice we can offer is that routine cleanings are better than once-per-year overhauls. The cleaner you keep your whitewall tires, the cleaner they will stay for longer.
Get in the habit of cleaning and dressing them every few weeks. This will keep your white wall tires looking good, and they’ll last for longer, too.
Don’t Have Whitewall Tires Yet?
Love the look of whitewall tires, but don’t have any yet? Check out your options online through Motorspot, Inc., at TiresandWires.com. They carry a wide range of whitewall tires from the top manufacturers and brands, as well as wheels, accessories, and cleaners.
Check out their website via the link above or get in touch with them at [email protected].
