Cleaning whitewalls?

[Oldnblue]

Hi guys
I had whitewalls fitted to the old girl today and they look awesome. The only concern is that the actual whitewall itself has a light-blue coloured tint to it (some sort of protective property I have to assume, as the colour isn't even, just patchy and kinda smeared across the white area).
The guys at the tyre centre said I should just clean them with any old auto store tyre cleaner, but I wanted to ask here first just in case I ended up using something that will do more damage than good.

Is there a recommended method or product that should be used when cleaning whitewalls as opposed to your average black tyres?

And just out of interest, can anyone confirm what the blue stain is?
Cheers, Scott

[SRVLIVES]

hey Scott, the blue snot is just to protect the whitewall in storage, shipping etc

There's a few cleaning tips here,
http://www.ozrodders.com/board/viewtopi ... t=cleaning

[smooth]

Jif cream cleanser and fine wet & dry sand paper is what I use. I also have a "white" scourer to help with some stubborn marks. I did use "Atlas" brand flappers but now have the real deal. Method of cleaning hasn't changed.

Regards, Smooth

[Oldnblue]

Many thanks guys...I'll get out there tomorrow and spruce them up.
Cheers, Scott

[Oldnblue]

Before I hit the shops I thought I'd test a cleaner (Gumption) that I had here at home, which is similar to Jif and Ajax. It worked a treat...took the tyres back to white really easily. I made sure not to leave it on the tyre for any length of time, and it worked really well.
Cheers, Scott

[Blacky]

My wifes EK has been at the tyre place all weekend while they try and fit the flappers , they keep popping off the rim
Any tideas on how to get the bloody things to stay on ? They are atlas brand ones,I tried to get some from Johns Rod and Custom but they didnt have any.

[oldgmh]

hi blacky,

I originally had the same trouble but found the following correct method which works perfectly.

- fit tyre to rim, without flapper, using no or minimal lubricant.
- pump up tyre to normall pressure to seal the beads.
- deflate tyre to about 5 psi.
- place the flapper over the tyre where it is to be fitted.
- get a rubber mallet and wrap the head in a clear plastic shopping bag.
- gently hit the flapper into place with the rubber mallet.
- the flapper will slide in surprisingly easily and it is easy to align.
- try to use no lubricant on the bead, and you will find the flappers will be secure.
- the plastic bag stops the mallet from leaving marks on the whitewalls.


Some people say that you need to fit tubes, but i didnt, and the combination has been trouble free for 2 years.

[Blacky]

Cheers oldgmh , I will give it a go.

[smooth]

Yup, they must be installed 100% dry. Otherwise they come flying off as soon as you drive down the street. Something for the pedestrians to catch!

I have fitted so many of these that I teach the tyre fitters when I go some place new.

Regards, Smooth