How to take white lettering off tires


How To Remove White Lettering On Tires: Tips And Tricks

Are you looking to remove white lettering on your tires? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss a few different methods that you can use to get the job done. We will also provide some tips and tricks that will make the process a little bit easier.

So, whether you want to restore your tires to their original condition or just want to change the color of the lettering, read on for information on how to remove white lettering from tires!

How to Remove White Lettering on Tires

When it comes to removing white lettering from tires, the most common kind of lettering to remove is the stick-on tire lettering.

Stick On Lettering

Removing stuck on white lettering can be done with a few different methods, and we will discuss a few of them here.

Rounded Tools

To remove stick on white lettering from your tires you will need to use a few rounded tools. These rounded tools will ensure that when you are removing the lettering that it does not scratch or damage your tire.

You will need to use these tools to help pry and pull the lettering off your tire. If you accidentally you slip and hit your wheel, a rounded tool will also ensure that you do minimal damage to your wheel.

Stick on tire letters uses a strong adhesive keep the lettering in place, which means that it can be difficult to remove. However, there are a few ways that you can make the process a little bit easier.

Applying Heat

One way is to use a heat gun or a hairdryer to heat up the adhesive. This will help to loosen the adhesive and then make it easier to remove the lettering using your tools. Be careful not to overheat the area as it could cause the tire to break down and begin to melt.

Soapy Water

Another way to make removing stick on white lettering from your tires is by using a solution of soapy water. This will help to break down the adhesive and make it easier to remove the lettering . This should not affect the tire itself, but it is always best to test in a small area first before applying it to the entire tire.

We would avoid using strong cleaning agents such as bleach or acetone as these can result in damage to your tires by causing them to dry out or to expire prematurely.

Once you have removed the white lettering from your tires, you may notice that there is some residual adhesive left behind. This can be removed with a little bit of elbow grease and a tire cleaner. Apply the tire cleaner to a rag and then scrub at the residual adhesive until it comes off.

If you are struggling to remove the adhesive, you can also try using a little bit of WD-40. Just be sure to wash the area well with soap and water afterwards as you don’t want to leave any oil on your tire.

Painted White Lettering

The other kind of white lettering on tires may be as a result of them being painted . There are a few different ways that you can remove white lettering from your tires.

Tire cleaner / degreaser

One popular method is to use a tire cleaner or degreaser. You can find these products at most auto parts stores. Simply apply the cleaner to the lettering and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a firm bristled brush or rag to scrub the lettering off. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all of the lettering off.

Isopropyl / Rubbing Alcohol

Another method that you can use to remove white lettering from your tires is by using isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. Simply apply the alcohol to a rag and then rub it onto the lettering.

The alcohol will help to break down the paint and make it easier to remove. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all of the lettering off. Just be sure that you don’t use too much alcohol as it can result in damage to your tires.

Painting

If all else fails or the white lettering is built into the tires, other than buying or replacing the tires, your only choice may be to paint over the lettering. You can use a tire paint or even just regular spray paint to cover the lettering. Just be sure to let the paint dry completely before driving on the tires.

Techniques to Avoid

Looking around and reading other guides on removing white lettering from tires has led us to consider a number of other techniques. However some of these should be avoided!

Using Harsh Chemicals

As we mentioned before, using harsh chemicals such as bleach or acetone can result in damage to your tires. These chemicals can cause the tire to dry out, which will lead to cracking and eventually failure.

Using a Knife or Other Sharp Object

Never try to remove white lettering from your tires using a knife or other sharp object. This can result in damage to the tire, which could cause a blowout while you are driving.

Sanding your tire

Sanding down your tire is another technique that should be avoided. This can result in damage to the tire, which could cause a blowout while driving. Some white lettering is built into a tire as well meaning that you would need to remove a large amount of rubber to get deep enough to remove all the lettering.

Turning your tires around

Turning your tires around so that the white lettering is hidden on the inside is not a good idea. The majority of tires are directional, meaning that the tire and the tread has been designed to rotate in a particular direction.

By turning your tires around and have the white letters facing inwards, you are changing the direction that the tread is meant to rotate in and this can cause your tires to not work properly and will be far less efficient.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to remove white lettering from tires, you can restore your tires to their original condition or change the color of the lettering to something that better matches your style. Just be sure to avoid using harsh chemicals or other techniques that could damage your tires.

We hope that these tips and tricks have helped you learn how to remove the white lettering on tires. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!

How To Get Rid Of White Lettering On Tires

You recently installed new tires on your vehicle but don't like the way the white lettering stands out. So now you want to remove the white text. But how exactly do you go about doing that? We researched some ways to remove white lettering on tires, and here's what we found.

The steps to remove white lettering on tires often depend if you're removing paint or custom stickers. Here’s a quick look at the process for removing this text from your tires:

Custom tire sticker removal:

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  1. Peel off the stickers.
  2. Remove the leftover pieces from the first step.
  3. Remove the adhesive from the tire’s surface.

Painted letter removal:

  1. Apply citrus strip on the painted letters.
  2. Scrape the paint with a brass brush.
  3. Wipe the residue with a microfiber towel.
  4. Continue removing leftover paint with a nylon brush.
  5. Clean the location with an all-purpose cleaner.

At first, these procedures may look relatively straightforward. However, one mistake may damage the tire. Continue reading as we talk about these processes in greater detail. We’ll also tackle another solution to hide the tire’s lettering.

How Do You Remove Tire Lettering?

In this section, you’ll learn how to remove white tire lettering based on the graphic’s material.

Custom Tire Sticker Removal

Perhaps you bought a second-hand tire but it has a custom sticker on it. If so, you can remove that custom graphic by following these steps:

What You’ll Need
  • Pliers
  • Trim tool
  • Plastic scraper
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Start Peeling

Use the rounded tip of the trim tool to start peeling the adhesive off each sticker. It’s a good idea to start on the edges of each letter, as it’s often easier than going for the broader areas.

Also, avoid using the sharp edge of the trim tool. Doing so may scratch or poke your tire, causing it to deflate.

2. Remove Leftover Pieces

Sometimes the stickers won’t come off completely with the trim tool. If so, remove the leftovers from the tires with the pliers.

You may also use the pliers instead of the trim tool. But the trim tool often provides better control than the pliers.

3. Remove Adhesive

Use the flat side of the plastic scraper to remove the adhesive left behind by each sticker. You can apply more pressure with the scraper than with the pliers or trim tool. But take note that it can be quite tedious to remove the adhesive from the rubber surface.

Optional Step: Use Sandpaper

You can use a 60- or 80-grit sandpaper to remove leftover adhesive that you found challenging to remove with the plastic scraper.

However, it’s important to pay attention to your sandpaper usage. Otherwise, the rough material may remove the traction in your tires, which puts you and your passengers at risk of on-road accidents and injuries.

Check out this plastic scraper tool on Amazon.

You can also watch the video below to see a visual guide on the steps mentioned above:

Take note that the work needed to remove stickers from tires often depends on the material's dimensions. Check out our post on how wide tires are on average to help you gauge the effort required to remove tire stickers.

Painted Letter Removal

Before continuing this procedure, it’s important to note that you’re about to use fairly harsh chemicals. So make sure that you’re wearing safety equipment, such as nitrile gloves and safety glasses, to prevent these products from coming into contact with your skin directly.

Also, ensure that you’re working in a well-ventilated area. Aside from wearing a respirator or face mask, open the windows and turn on the fans in the area. Otherwise, work outside to avoid inhaling noxious fumes for extended periods.

After finishing the preparations, here are the steps to remove painted lettering from your tires:

What You’ll Need
  • Citrus stripping gel
  • Paintbrush
  • Nylon brush
  • Brass brush
  • Microfiber towels
  • All-purpose cleaner
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Apply The Citrus Strip

Apply the citrus stripping gel over the lettering. Use a paintbrush if needed to spread the product to the desired areas. Then, let the solution sit for at least 5 minutes.

2. Scrape Off The Paint

With the brass brush, use a reasonable amount of pressure to get rid of the strip-covered lettering. It should only take a little effort with this tool to remove the paint. If it doesn't, you either need to let the product sit longer or you may have to apply more of the solution.

Don't worry if the paint-stripping solution isn't removing all of the lettering. Use the brush to remove as much of the paint as you can. Also, don't apply more force than necessary or you'll risk puncturing the tire.

3. Clean The Residue

Brushing the citrus stripper with the brass brush should leave behind residue. Clean this leftover with one of your microfiber towels. Doing so should also remove more of the paint from the tire’s surface.

4. Continue Removing Paint

At this point, some paint might still be in the corners on the outlines of each letter. Scrape that leftover paint with the nylon brush. Again, only apply the necessary pressure with this tool to avoid scratching or piercing the tire’s material.

5. Clean The Tires

Once you feel satisfied with the removal, clean the stripped location with the all-purpose cleaner. Use the nylon brush to remove any leftover paint and stripping solution from the surface. Then, wipe this solution off with another clean microfiber towel.

Check out this product on Amazon.

You may also check out this video to see a visual representation of the steps mentioned above:

You might also be thinking about replacing your old tires with white lettering with a set that’s devoid of graphics, particularly for your Mazda 3. If so, check out some of the best tires for that car for some excellent candidates.

How To Paint Tire Letters?

Aside from the direct removal of tire lettering, you may also choose to hide the design by painting the material. If you wish to proceed with this job, here are the steps to complete it:

What You’ll Need

  • Braille pads
  • Nylon brush
  • Spray bottle
  • Mild detergent
  • Lettering enamel
  • Small paintbrush
  • Tire dressing

Step-By-Step Guide

  1. Lay the tire on its side over a flat and level surface.
  2. Mix a mild detergent with room temperature or lukewarm water in a spray bottle. Then, use that to clean the tires.
  3. Remove loose dirt with the nylon brush.
  4. Scrub and remove as much paint on the white lettering as you can with a braille pad.
  5. Apply lettering enamel on the lettering with the help of a small paintbrush. Let the product dry before continuing to the next step.
  6. Spray tire dressing over the tire. You may apply this product liberally.

Check out this tire dressing on Amazon.

The video below will help you see this procedure in action:

Does Tire Lettering Last?

Tire lettering, particularly stickers, may last up to 1,000 miles under standard daily driving conditions. However, you might expect the lettering on tires to only last about 150 miles if used on a race track frequently.

However, some tire letter stickers can last up to 40,000 miles. This high-quality lettering may not even fade over time. But expect to pay more than what you’d spend to purchase standard tire stickers if you want to buy quality lettering.

How Much Does It Cost To Put Letters On Tires?

Professional labor costs to install tire lettering may range from $159 to $199 per set. Although car owners may choose to apply the lettering themselves, taking advantage of expert help might provide peace of mind and minimize the risks of errors.

Can I Spray Paint Tires?

You may spray paint tires, although it’s not advisable to do so because spray painting isn’t typically ideal for coating rubber material, especially car tires. If you spray paint tires, it might result in unsightly cracking.

Check out the video below if you find it interesting to see the results of spray painting tires:

Are Tire Letters Worth It?

It boils down to preference. Some car owners don’t mind the white lettering on their tires. On the other hand, certain members of the automotive community aren’t keen on seeing white letters on tires.

Final Words

Remove white lettering stickers from your vehicle's tires by peeling them off their surfaces. On the other hand, use a reasonably safe-to-use paint stripper, like a citrus stripping solution, to remove white tire lettering paint. Otherwise, you may also choose to cover white tire graphics with tire dressing.

Is it difficult? Remove inscriptions left by spray paint from the paintwork

At the end of August, a series of acts of vandalism took place in the capital. So far, unknown individuals have found cars with symbols on the streets of the city, punctured tires and left inscriptions (chaotic or insulting) on ​​the bodies. “Paint on the paintwork is certainly unpleasant, but not at all critical, ,” say experts from the TrueGarage training project. - Today we will show you how to easily remove it. At the same time, we asked experts to look at the consequences of the other side of the actions - the traces of rubber bullets.

Repair after shelling

Not so long ago we published pictures of a car that came under fire from firearms, in which the so-called non-lethal projectiles were used. Even these photographs give an idea of ​​the severity of the traumatic consequences of the use of rubber bullets. Such a projectile poses a threat to life when fired at short distances.

We met with Anton, the owner of the same car shown in the pictures. It turned out to be a Hyundai Galloper. The man told how he came under fire:

- On August 11, he was driving along the street. Surganov in the "Riga" area, turned onto the street. Trouble. When I was driving past a bus stop, from above, from the parking lot of the supermarket, aimed fire was opened at the car. I did not hear warning shots in the air. All cars in the stream accelerated. Why my Hyundai attracted attention, I don’t know. I assume they fired randomly. For example, if aimed fire was fired at the bodies of cars with minimal consequences for the people inside, then how to explain the trace of a bullet on the front pillar? A couple of centimeters - and they would have hit the window, they could have hit the passenger. I managed to leave. Of course it was scary.

In total, we counted four marks from rubber bullets on the car: one each on the pillar and fender, and two on the passenger door. Two bullets hit the plastic lining and remained inside. This made it possible to take a closer look at them. See for yourself what the so-called non-lethal projectile looks like, which is about 4 cm long.


The footprint on the A-pillar deserves special attention. This section is reinforced, all body rigidity is “tied” on it, in different models there are three or four layers of metal. It is difficult to imagine what are the consequences of a 4-centimeter bullet hitting a human body.

The car is insured under motor insurance. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the person whose civil liability has arisen. "It's useless. I see no reason to apply to the authorities for compensation, , Anton believes. - I will restore it myself. How much money will be needed to repair such atypical peacetime damage? We addressed this question to a representative of the Audatex company, which deals with harm assessment with all variables: from the cost of materials to standard hours. We asked to take averages. As a result, the specialist made a calculation with a total amount of 3872 rubles.

The car owner says that he intends to completely change the fender and plastic lining on the door, but he will restore the pillar with the help of a reverse hammer and repainting.

Restoration of paintwork after vandal drawings

We know for sure about four cases of applying spray paint to cars in different districts of Minsk. It is easy to assume that this is not all cases. The greatest resonance was caused by the incidents with the Volkswagen Tiguan of Natalya from Minsk and the Audi of the ex-host of Belarus 1 Yevgeny Perlin. Natalya told Onliner that she had contacted the police and filed the necessary paperwork for the insurance. Her car is insured under the Casco system. According to the girl, the insurance undertook to repaint half of the body. Experts of the TrueGarage training project assure that it was not so necessary.

We bought two ordinary cans of pretty good quality paint from a regular hardware store. We read the instructions: "Aerosol paint for surfaces made of metal, wood, plastic ..." Obviously, vandals do not bother themselves much with the selection of paints and compositions.

We chose white and red colors not only to repeat the case with Evgeny Perlin's Audi. "White paint has a strong hiding power, it is - compared to others - harder to remove, - experts explain. - Red is low-opaque, but contains a fine pigment. It turns out that it constantly pollutes itself, it is hard to get rid of it. Red was applied in several layers, white imitated the inscription of some word.

In the same construction market, we purchased three types of solvents: solvent, white spirit and B-646. Experts recommend using only the first two. B-646 is the most popular, cheap, but too aggressive for an automotive paintwork. You will also need rubber gloves and paper towels. Lots of paper napkins. It is advised to use them, as the fabric can become abrasive and leave small scratches.

First we try to apply solvents on the training material - the trunk lid. The paint on it was applied a few hours ago and has already dried. At first, the master simply applies the solvent to the surface, then changes the napkin, moistens it with the solvent and begins to scrub. You have to change napkins often. The last step is wiping with a dry cloth. A greasy stain remains on the surface, but it is not terrible, because it disappears after drying.

We carry out the same manipulations with white spirit. Due to the specificity of the red color, it is necessary to change wipes moistened with solvent more often. You also need to wipe it dry several times - until there are no traces left on the napkin.

The drawn letter "Z" goes to B-646 - experts want to show why it is not good. The technology is the same, but after processing the area on the paintwork, a trace remains. It is not visible on the horizontal surface of the trunk lid, but a matte spot is quite clearly visible on the side. It can only be removed by polishing.

At the end of the procedures, it is recommended to send the car to a car wash with active foam.

Now we simulate the capture of a vandal red-handed - the paint has just been applied, it barely had time to grab. Jaguar acts as a sample, the paintwork is treated with wax. The owner of the car is confident in the ease of removing paint with a solvent, so he is not very worried.

The whole process is in the photos below. As you can see, no complexity, no traces.

TrueGarage experts point out that by painting someone else's car from a spray can, vandals run the risk of becoming defendants in a criminal case (for example, hooliganism is punishable by up to three years in prison). Moreover, the result of such criminally punishable actions can be easily eliminated in half an hour.

See also:

  • The football players who were detained after the "attack on the car" were released. Are other people identified by fingerprints?

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How to remove scratches on a car with your own hands

August 3, 2018LikbezDo it yourself

Stop tearing your hair out because of every scratch. Almost all cosmetic defects are easy to fix at no extra cost.

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Car scratches are inevitable. Through your fault or not, sooner or later they will appear. And although such damage, as they say, does not affect speed, every car owner wants to get rid of them at any cost. Especially if the car is new or recently bought.

Here are the main types of scratches and proven ways to deal with them.

1. How to remove small scratches on the varnish

These are small thin scratches that are visible only at a certain angle and are not visible at all on a wet car. Such scratches affect only the top layer of the paintwork. And it's easy to remove them.

Wax polish

You will need a wax polish that is applied after washing. A thin layer of wax will create a protective coating and fill in scratches. The method is good because it does not require special equipment and skills. But, as you might guess, such protection does not last long. After some time, the coating will have to be applied again.

Polishing machine + abrasive paste

A more effective method of removing scratches is polishing with a special machine and fine abrasive paste. So you can deal with almost any scratch that touched the varnish, but did not reach the paint.

Usually the polishing is done by specialists. If you decide to do it yourself, you will need:

  • polisher;
  • fine abrasive paste;
  • Sanding paper P2000;
  • sprayer with water;
  • napkins.

Immediately before the procedure, wash the car well with car shampoo and dry it. Put the car in the shade or garage so that the body does not heat up in the sun, and the scratches and the result of the work are clearly visible.

Treat the damaged area with a cloth soaked in water and wipe dry.

Apply a little paste to the wheel and polish the scratch, gradually increasing the speed. Try not to stay in one place for a long time, so as not to overheat the varnish.

Continue polishing by alternating movements left-right and up-down. Treat not only the scratch, but also the area around it. Rinse the polishing area with water frequently and clean the wheel from plaque.

Polish until the scratch is completely gone.

2. How to remove scratches on the paint

If not only the varnish is damaged, normal polishing is not enough. In this case, the damage can be painted over with a restoration pencil matched to the color of the car.

In appearance and number of shades, these pencils resemble nail polishes. But they are made from quick-curing acrylic resins that perfectly fill scratches.

Thoroughly clean and degrease the damaged area before painting over the scratch. Then carefully paint over it with a brush on a pencil bottle.

Let the paint dry for 15-20 minutes. Full polymerization occurs after about a week, so it is better not to wash the car at this time.

3. How to remove deep scratches and chips

Paint will help here too. But, unlike the previous method, you first have to prime the surface, and after applying the paint, varnish and polish it.

As a rule, the products necessary for the restoration of scratches and chips that have reached the metal are sold as a set. This is all the same acrylic paint, anti-corrosion and conventional primers, as well as a degreaser and clear varnish.

Wash and dry the machine. If there is rust on a chip or scratch, clean it with a fine sandpaper. Degrease the metal surface and seal the damage edges with masking tape.

Treat the surface with an anti-corrosion primer and allow it to dry.

Then apply a coat of normal primer to level the surface and prepare the base for the paint.

Apply the first coat of paint. Then, after waiting for complete drying, apply a second.

After the paint has dried, coat the surface with clear varnish.

4. How to remove scratches on plastic

The car interior also suffers from scratches no less. Sills, door cards and other plastic interior parts are covered with abrasions.

Plastic restorers

The upholstery can be made neat again with plastic restorers.

These products are sold as aerosols, sprays and milks. They have good penetrating power and are designed to fill scratches. In addition, the composition of the restorers includes a polish that returns the surface to its former freshness.

Instructions for use are on the product packaging. As a rule, restorative compounds are applied to dry and cleaned parts and left for several minutes to dry. After that, using a clean microfiber cloth, the surface is well polished by hand.

Hairdryer or lighter

An easier and more budgetary way to deal with scratches on plastic is heating with a building hair dryer, in extreme cases with a lighter. Under the influence of temperature, damage is literally tightened. This life hack will help to completely remove small scratches and make deep ones less noticeable.

To eliminate scratches in this way, you need to heat the damaged surface very carefully, without staying in one place for a long time. If there are a lot of scratches, take breaks so as not to melt the part and not burn the upholstery parts adjacent to the plastic.

5. How to remove scratches on glass

One of the most annoying types of scratches. Scuffs and cobwebs on the glass not only spoil the appearance, but also worsen the view, creating light and glare. You can eliminate them by polishing in a specialized service.

However, you can manage on your own.

Small scratches and abrasions from windscreen wiper blades are perfectly removed in this way. Deep scratches that cling to the nail will not completely go away, but will smooth out, become smaller. For polishing, you will need a special set, which usually includes a nozzle, circles and a paste with cerium oxide.

Wash glass and wipe dry. Use a marker to mark the scratches from the inside to control the treatment area.

Place the drill bit on the drill and apply some paste on the wheel. At medium speed and without much pressure, polish the scratches in small areas.

Take frequent breaks to avoid overheating the glass. Moisten it with water and wipe dry again.

Continue polishing from 30 minutes to 1 hour until the result is acceptable.

6. How to remove scratches on headlights

Scratches on optics are removed in the same way as on glasses. You can try to remove ordinary opacities with toothpaste, but it is still better to use special polishing kits, which include everything you need for the procedure.

The sequence of operations is usually indicated in the instructions. The following should normally be done:

Wash the headlights and wipe dry. Tape the adjacent areas of the hood, bumper and fender with masking tape.

Sand the glass with sandpaper soaked in water.


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