Best way/How to Clean Whitewall Tires ...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
I've always used Westley's with a Scotch brite pad then wiped em up with paper towels. I've tried the Simple Green and that works well too, but since hearing about Westley's breaking down the rubber I'm going with Magic Eraser from now on!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I always used soapy Brillo pads or Ajax, Bars Keep etc.... until I tried this method on my WW's and man was I impressed at how easy and what a nice job the Mr Clean Magic Eraser used with a small amount of Simple Green solution., 
.... good-bye Brillo pads and powders !
http://www.ehow.com/how_6939029_clea...all-tires.html
"
.... good-bye Brillo pads and powders !http://www.ehow.com/how_6939029_clea...all-tires.html
"
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
Whitewalls
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
You def don't want use anything abrasive on your WW's. It tears em down a little bit at time. Magic erasers or if the generic brand from wally world and simple green.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
+1 for the Magic Erasers + Simple Green, could not believe how easy that was. My white walls were pretty much dark grey (pretty sure the previous owner never cleaned them). They turned out awesome! Thanks for the tip!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Okay, I have to speak up here...
I have had people sing the praises of Simple Green to me for decades. A long time ago I purchased a gallon because some told me it was THE thing to use to clean whatever it was I was trying to clean.
Nothing. Zip. Nada.
So, I put it on the shelf. Sometime later I had a project that someone said Simple Green was the answer to the question. Again. No results. I might have as been using clean water.
As a result of this thread I pulled out the Simple Green and stole a Genie pad from my wife. Again, I might as well have used clean water.
So, I sprayed Berrymann engine degreaser on a rag and wiped it on the white walls. Then I pulled out the S.O.S pad, scrubbed hard, washed it off.
All clean and bright.
I have had people sing the praises of Simple Green to me for decades. A long time ago I purchased a gallon because some told me it was THE thing to use to clean whatever it was I was trying to clean.
Nothing. Zip. Nada.
So, I put it on the shelf. Sometime later I had a project that someone said Simple Green was the answer to the question. Again. No results. I might have as been using clean water.
As a result of this thread I pulled out the Simple Green and stole a Genie pad from my wife. Again, I might as well have used clean water.
So, I sprayed Berrymann engine degreaser on a rag and wiped it on the white walls. Then I pulled out the S.O.S pad, scrubbed hard, washed it off.
All clean and bright.
Last edited by Matt0987; Sep 25, 2011 at 10:46 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Pine River, MN
Bleach white will cause your WHITE WALL to break down. It will cause the Primer that is used on WW's to turn brown over time, and it will cause the WW to turn a "Off White" color. If you ask tire Reps about Bleach white, they will tell you the same thing. NEVER use harsh detergents on WW's. The thing about WW's is you can scrub them. Use some elbow grease. Best thing to use is Grease Lightning and a brush or tooth brush. If it takes time, then so be it. I have a Custom made 120/70/21 WW METZ on my deluxe, so I know alittle about WW's. ALso, NEVER let the Dealer clean your WW, they use Brake Cleaner on your WW's. Just saying
I've used Westleys Bleeche White for many years... Available at any auto parts store, and no problems with ANY tire. Not the raised white letters on my 4X4 after 50,000 miles, nor on the white walls of my Harley that only last 6,000 miles.
Spray it on, wipe it around a little bit, and rinse it off. Perfect white walls.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Alway's used Westley's. Mrs's came out one day and handed me a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I laughed at her. She laughed back. I have no idea what is in that thing, but it works phenomenal. Usual takes one per tire for that real deep clean. In-between, use the old reliable Westley's to keep the whites looking good.
On another note, recently bought a Pitbull Motorcycle Lift. Exceeds expectations and worth the premium price. No joke, in addition to making it easy to work on the bike, it makes cleaning the whitewalls fun versus a PIA. Being able to freely spin those wheels while cleaning them, at a height of a few feet in the air, Priceless...
On another note, recently bought a Pitbull Motorcycle Lift. Exceeds expectations and worth the premium price. No joke, in addition to making it easy to work on the bike, it makes cleaning the whitewalls fun versus a PIA. Being able to freely spin those wheels while cleaning them, at a height of a few feet in the air, Priceless...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Wet or Dry Whitewall Tire Cleaning
I am currently using Permatex Fast Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner, its cheap and I already use it for hand-cleaner anyway.
On my Harley-Davidson Dunlap Wide Whitewalls I have on my FLSTS Heritage Softail Springer, I just pick up some of those cheap white cotton towels from autozone or oreillys etc.
Put a little dab, like half a dime size at the most on a clean part of towel and wipe off the grime 2-3 inches at a time until done.
Seldom need any water, and it does not have the same premature dry-rotting & yellowing effect the "Westley's Bleche-Wite" NOW "Black Magic Bleche-Wite" Tire Cleaner does.
Additionally, I don't need to wear rubber gloves or be in a well-ventilated place to use the Fast Orange vs. ...Bleche-Wite.
On my Harley-Davidson Dunlap Wide Whitewalls I have on my FLSTS Heritage Softail Springer, I just pick up some of those cheap white cotton towels from autozone or oreillys etc.
Put a little dab, like half a dime size at the most on a clean part of towel and wipe off the grime 2-3 inches at a time until done.
Seldom need any water, and it does not have the same premature dry-rotting & yellowing effect the "Westley's Bleche-Wite" NOW "Black Magic Bleche-Wite" Tire Cleaner does.
Additionally, I don't need to wear rubber gloves or be in a well-ventilated place to use the Fast Orange vs. ...Bleche-Wite.