Buying a 2nd hand set of wheels at the weekend with RWL tires that are really dirty and grubby, what's the best way of getting the "whiteness" back to the letters ? Or is it a case of buying one of those white letter pens ? Thanks

My truck has RWL tires. I use a small piece of scotch brite. Makes them nice and white. BTW those RWLs will be gone as soon as they're worn out.....absolutely hate trying to keep them clean.

Acetone on a rag.

Scotchbrite pad and soap, Ajax etc

Wesleys Bleachwhite!

All of the above, and SOS/Brillo pads

I used to use SOS pads back when I used to have tires with with stuff on them.

This! But be careful to not get it on aluminum rims it will dull polished aluminum.

I'll use Wesleys on a rag.

I discovered long ago that it can ruin argent wheel paint & center cap finishes, so avoid spraying.

Best thing for RWL's is a can of black spray paint.

A little bit of Comet or similar cleanser on wet rag . . .

If those tires are BF Goodrich they will have brown letters forever.

Purple cleaner let it set for short time a stiff brush and white again.

True!

Yup. Certain BFGs have a problem where the lettering turns brown and stays that way no matter what you do (other than paint over them). I have this problem on my rear tires, while the fronts do not (smaller front tires). All four purchased at the same time from the same location. I read BFG will replace them under warranty if they are from the batch that has issues. I've been meaning to contact them but its never been a priority. Something to add to my list of things to do.

I whiten all my WLT's regardless of the brand, including BFG's, (even my Polyglas GT repros brown out) easily with trichlorethlene (TCE)

Replaced BFG RWL’s on my 71 Vette 2 times under warranty. Since Michelin took over the company, larger sized RWL tires will be RBL letters. They have added silicone to their rubber recipe. I have no idea why the smaller sizes are still ok,,,,have not checked lately. 275-60-15 on rear 255-60-15 on front.

In disgust I reversed to put black walls out. Actually have gotten used to them this way, and now prefer.

However blackwalls also brown,,,,just does not show so obvious. Decent tire detailer products will make them presentable for a while. Michelin should be ashamed for ruining this iconic tire.

Coker is a big seller of them. Perhaps they can offer current information. I went thru all the tire exchanges 3 years ago.

Friend of mine bought 4 tires for his Roadrunner. Rear 275-60-15,,,front 235-60-15. Rear RWL are completely brown,,,Fronts are ok RWL. Looks as though he never details his rears.

I use lacquer thinner on a rag to wipe ONLY the raised white letters. Then wipe the tires with 3M Leather & Vinyl cleaner on a sponge applicator. Leaves a low gloss sheen after applied and bright white letters.
Ron

Would not help raised brown letters. Tried this 3 years ago. Even tried grinding with a Dremel sander did nothing except grind the letters down. This brown bleeds up from the tire carcass, thru the letters and when hitting the outside atmospheric, turns brown like a day old avocado or a peeled apple.

The blue or green protective coating on brand new rwl’s, protects them until this coating is scrubbed off.

As the adage goes: “beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes clear to the bone”.

Using the complete chemistry lab of detailing and cleaning products in my garage,,,it is substantial,,,nothing works on these tires. If something works, you do not own these tires. You have tires manufactured before Michelin got their hamfisted paws on these tires.

From 3 years ago posting on topic

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2161193/Searchpage/1/Main/172528/Words/%2BGoodrich+%2Braised+%2Bwhite+%2Bletter+%2Btires/Search/true/re-bfg-ta.html#Post2161193

Soft scrub cleanser and a light duty scouring pad. One om motorcycle customers always had super clean whitewalls on his bike,this was his secret.I use it to clean WW on new tires now.
RT