Blue problem!

JaredPointer

JaredPointer

COME AT ME BRO
Guys and gals, I am looking for a way to remove the "blue stuff" from the white lettering of some new tires. I finally broke down and put some Mickey Thompson's on my Tacoma (with a lift soon to follow :) ) and for the life of me I can't get rid of all the blue stuff they put on the sidewalls of the tires. Anyone have any suggestions?

I have tried: Bleche White, Simple Green, stiff brush, soft brush, Bon Ami, and some general degreaser. I am thinking about dragging out the neighbor's pressure washer, but before I do I would like to hear what you decent people have to say.

Thanks.
 
:hmmm: I've always found it to be some kind of rubbery coating, but it usually comes off easily with any of the things you mentioned. I have also used SOS/Brillo pads with good results. Maybe you're going to have to spray some APC on them & let them soak a bit and hit them with the power washer.

I've never had that kind of problems with new whitewalls, or raised whites though. :dunno:
 
I've seen some manufacturer's blue coating come right off and others need several coats of APC
 
Maybe the tire store where you purchased them could offer some advice.

Back in the "olden days", I used powdered household cleanser such as Comet, Ajax or Babo on whitewalls. I doubt that it would be good for regular use, but it might remove the blue stuff on the new tires.

Charles
 
If you think it's hard to get off of tires try getting it off of skin.I spent 8 yrs as a tire builder the finishingd ept asked for volunteers to help out on Papa Smurf(our name for the machines that spray the blue stuff)so I go in on my day off to help out and make some serious extra $$$.The converyor shut down and Papa Smurf is spraying everything in sight including me.I was b lue from head to toe and it took abouta week to get it all off me.
 
Westley's and a brass brush will do a good job on white lettering. I always go back over the area with a more neutral cleaner because I worry what the Westleys is doing to the carbon black (turning tire greyish brown).
 
Troy@DetailCity said:
Try some Mineral Spirits. Makes short work of removing the blue coating.
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This is what I am using as well, takes it right off...then I use some APC to neutralize the MS...and your good to go...if you don't have any MS its a good thing to have in your stash of learning supplies, works on a variety of stains, overspray, tar removal, etc
 
I spray on APC let is sit for a min. then take a medium grade steel wool and scrub scrub scrub and it takes it right off. Who manufactures the tires that you are trying to do this on??
 
I will try the suggestions I haven't already performed. Thanks for all the replies.

Pockets - They are Mickey Thompson, which I think (after falling under Dick Cepek) are manufactured by Cooper tires. I am not 100% on that info, but it's what I can gather from asking and reading.
 
JaredPointer said:
I will try the suggestions I haven't already performed. Thanks for all the replies.

Pockets - They are Mickey Thompson, which I think (after falling under Dick Cepek) are manufactured by Cooper tires. I am not 100% on that info, but it's what I can gather from asking and reading.
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You are correct MT is manufactured by Cooper(my former employer).When I worked for them they also owned a chunk of Pirelli Tire.
 
Squirtgun said:
You are correct MT is manufactured by Cooper(my former employer).When I worked for them they also owned a chunk of Pirelli Tire.
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So can I expect good things out of these tires? It's the Radial MTX. Just curious, as most of the reviews I had from people online were favorable.
 
A new car solvent/adhesive remover should do the trick. I used to spray some directly on the lettering, let it sit for a few, scrub and pressure wash off. You can also pour some on a rag and wipe it off.
 
JaredPointer said:
So can I expect good things out of these tires? It's the Radial MTX. Just curious, as most of the reviews I had from people online were favorable.
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As best I can remember they are good tires(it's been 4 yrs since I left to start my business).Rotate them religiously and be sure to keep the psi set correctly.
 
Poorboy said:
Have you tried some Bug Squash on them? ;)
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Haha, no, not yet. But I will say that I will give it a try. Bug Squash is one of (if not the #1) my all time favorite products because it just flat out works so darn well. I will give it a try tomorrow afternoon hopefully.
 
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