Keeping Whitewalls White.

[tobacco]

After a few decades of using Brillo pads and Ajax cleanser to keep my whitewalls their whitest white, I'm thinking there must be an easier and probably less destructive way to get the same effect.

Does anyone have a whitewall cleaning regimen that he or she thinks is just the best?


Bill Greffin
Chicago
#22375

[hauser]

Back in the day my father always stuck with Fantastic. I have tried the same with no real results. I am now using a product called Westleys whitewall cleaner. I generously spray this on the tires and with a specially contoured nylon tire brush I start scrubbing. I asked a buddy who restores Chevys as a hobby and he recomended Westleys. You may not achieve the results you are looking for the first time, but it eventually gets better.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Cees Klumper]

When I was living in the US (lots of whitewalls) I used a cleaner specifically for whitewalls (can't remember the brand but it must have been available at the usual places like K-Mart). It just sprayed on (not a pressure can, but rather a type of hand pump) and after a minute or so, all grime etc. would just come off with a wet sponge. The white would come out like new. No scrubbing, multiple applications or other special effort.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[isofast]

I also prefer Westlys Bleche-white for my whitest whites
Ernie

First Place AACA Show Winner 350SL July 2003
I love low mile Mercedes.
1969 280 4spd Papyrus White

[tobacco]

Recognizing the irony of addressing my own question, here's a kind of blunt-weapon approach. I stopped by the car wash of an acquaintance this morning after carefully treating my tires with Westley's Bleche-White, and we agreed they looked pretty good.  And then he demonstrated a little secret they use on whitewalls at his place -- proceeding to easily wipe the tough underlying stain away with a rag and some gasoline.  I was shocked, but he said the gasoline dissolves any grease, evaporates quickly, and does not harm the rubber in this type of application.  He completes the rest of the tire with Armor-All for a clean matte finish that holds up under multiple washes.

My tires may turn to powder overnight . . . but they looked really good today.


Bill Greffin
Chicago
#22375

[mdsalemi]

Bill,

Don't use gasoline.  It destroys rubber.  Don't believe me?  Pour a little on your drive way, and step in it with a tennis shoe.  The bottom gets gooey and sticky.  Enuf said.

Bleche White is a good alternative.  Softscrub is as well.  Gentle scrubbing removes some of the problems, and the bleach removes others.  Always rinse well.

The best alternative is to KEEP THEM CLEAN.  That way you use less harsh chemicals.

I own a car wash, and often times people come in who want clean wheels and tires, but it has been MONTHS since they did anything.  The brake dust builds up on the wheels, and what with that and road grime, actually corrodes today's aluminum/magnesium wheels.  These are the same things which make your tires and whitewalls dirty. By then it is too late.  Today's crop of wheel cleaners such as Meguires Hot Rims and Eagle One's Chrome and Wheel cleaner contain Hydroflouric acid which is arguably one of the most corrosive compounds every devised by man--they work well, but best NOT to let the wheels get so bad that you need this stuff.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored