blackening white letters on tires

[Topsterguy]

Hey Folks!  Anyone know the best way to blacken the white letters on the inside of tires, specifically Goodrich TA's, that will last?

[Bob Paulin]

On my own vehicles, I mount 'em with the RWL facing inside......

.....of course, a fenderless car might present a greater challenge....


B.P.

[Mr Cool]

I dont know what the new ones are like as I havnt used TAs for over 10 years now, but we used to shave the white lettering off them, its only about 2 or 3mm deep (1/10th inch), and solid black rubber behind it.
The new ones may be deeper, Im not sure.

[C9]

You can buy BF Goodrich's TA's in blackwalls.

I have a pair of 285/70R-15's on the back and a pair of 195/70R-14"s on the front of my 32.

Doesn't help if you already have the white letters, but thought I'd point it out.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Black liquid shoe polish applied every so often works reasonably well.

Charlie

[40]

I just take them down to the black with a sanding disc on the grinder....as said earlier,the white is only 1/16"  to 1/8" thick or so.It doesn't leave a super smooth finish so if you are planning to run the letters out,this may not be an option.Good Luck!

[slocrow]

I used a Sharpie permanent marker because it was hanging around and to my surprise it's lasted pretty well for the last couple of years. Oh, if you get down and take a good close look you can see the fair job but from 5' away and being on the inside it's no white showing at all. Pretty inexpensive and not very work intensive either.....Frank

[Goodfoot]

White is usually throughout the tire. I have used cheap flat black rattle cans many times to blacken them and it is virtually undetectable on the inside of fendered cars. I have not had to use it in a FTF situation.

[n.c.rodder]

Hey Folks!  Anyone know the best way to blacken the white letters on the inside of tires, specifically Goodrich TA's, that will last?

I worked at a tire store about 10 years ago - Napa used to sell a black paint just for that purpose - might check there.

I painted the white walls on my old coupe while I worked there - There still black!

Mike

[enjenjo]

I think Dupont still had a tire black paint too. Used car dealers use it.

[paul2748]

You can still get the  (used to be Dupont-now just # 7) tire black. Check with a parts store, Wal Mart, K Mart, etc.

[Dave]

Pretty inexpensive and not very work intensive either.....Frank[/quote]
Right down your alley eh :?:
Dave

[Topsterguy]

Thanks folks!  I just changed my roadster over to a Hiboy for a change after 8 years with fenders so the white shows more now! Think I'll try the felt pen thing first, cuz I've got one, then pick up some paint down the road!  Thanks again!  Larry

[toledobill]

I worried about that before I found Cooper tires in modern sizes with black wall versions.  Before that, I had located "blackwall tire paint" at a number of farm (tractor tire) websites.  The experienced hands at those stores/websites said their tire paint wouldn't come off in a category 5 hurricane.  Never had to test their claims after I found out about Cooper tires.

[river1]

I worried about that before I found Cooper tires in modern sizes with black wall versions.  Before that, I had located "blackwall tire paint" at a number of farm (tractor tire) websites.  The experienced hands at those stores/websites said their tire paint wouldn't come off in a category 5 hurricane.  Never had to test their claims after I found out about Cooper tires.

local news station recently had a story about cooper tires. apparently there has been alot of blow outs with coopers. lawsuits have mostly been settled out of court but there has been deaths and maimings. i'll see if i can't find a link to it.

later jim