Home / Motorcycle How To's & Walkthroughs / How To Clean White Wall Tires On A Motorcycle
Posted by: YouMotorcycle in Motorcycle How To's & Walkthroughs July 27, 2022
You can clean white wall tires on a motorcycle with a little soapy water and a lot of elbow grease. But you can also use some household items and save a lot of time and energy. Here’s how to clean white wall tires on a motorcycle the easy way!
To clean white wall tires on a motorcycle with the least amount of effort, just grab some tooth paste, and an electric tooth brush. The toothpaste contains cleaning properties and it has some grit to it which lets it break up dirt and grime. The electric tooth brush’s pivoting head will do most of the work, saving you a lot of time and energy.
Check out this video to see the combination in action.
As you can see, tooth paste and an old tooth brush can make short work of cleaning your motorcycle white wall tires. This is particularly helpful for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other ailments. It’s also very convenient for those who simply don’t like being bent over their motorcycle tires for a long time.
Considering an electric toothbrush only costs $20 if you don’t already have one, this seems like a great way of saving a lot of time.
The added benefits are not needing to buy special products that you don’t already own. That not only means saving your money, but also limiting your risk. Many automotive cleaning products use chemicals that aren’t necessarily safe for humans. We already know that tooth paste is safe for humans as long as we aren’t ingesting it.
You may be asking if using toothpaste on white wall tires is safe for the tire itself. In truth, I don’t know. I’m not a chemist so I can’t speak to the long term effects of tooth paste on rubber. However, motorcycle tires typically don’t last more than a handful of seasons before you’ve worn out the tread anyway.
I have a feeling even if the tooth paste does cause some kind of premature wear on these tires, it wouldn’t happen until long after they’ve been replaced.
I’ve been asked why tooth paste instead of just soapy water and the tooth brush. I like tooth paste for the same reason many people use baking soda. In addition to having cleaning properties, it also has a grit to it which I believe helps break up the dirt faster than soapy water alone. I rinse off with a spray bottle of soapy water and then do a final rinse with a hose when I’m done.
Tooth paste also acts as a great cleaner for faded car headlights. It revitalizes them and brings them back to life. I already have a dedicated “garage” tooth paste tube, so using it on the tires as well just makes sense.
I you’re trying to figure out how to clean white wall tires on a motorcycle with minimal effort, an electric tooth brush and tooth paste has to be considered. Obviously this isn’t the only way to do it. There are tons of household cleaners and products you can purchase, but brushing your tires like this is a lot of fun and it leaves them minty fresh.
Motorcycle riding is supposed to be fun. Isn’t it time we had a little fun cleaning our rides too?
CleaningMotorcycle Maintenance 2022-07-27
Tagged with: Cleaning Motorcycle Maintenance
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Have you noticed yellow or discoloration in your whitewall tires and wish to clean them? Then it’s your lucky day because here you’ll get to know multiple ways to clean whitewall tires.
Cleaning whitewall tires on a motorcycle will involve using a specialized cleaner to clean the tires. Alternatively, you can also whiten the tires to give them a cleaner and shinier look.
In this article, you’ll get to know all about cleaning whitewall tires, how to clean whitewall tires on a motorcycle, the alternative ways, and more. Continue reading to know more about these cleaning methods.
Table of Contents
Whitewall tires are simply white-rimmed versions of a brand’s normal non-whitewall motorcycle tire. However, not every classic motorcycle tire is made with whitewall specifications. That distinction is only given to the ones that the manufacturers think will shut the sort of bikes where owners will customize them.
Nothing can make a Harley-Davidson motorcycle look sharp and neat more than a set of whitewall tires. Whitewall tires can even make old, vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles look amazing. Despite the classy look of Harley-Davidson bikes, they take time and effort to keep clean and have a neat look. Cleaning the whitewall tires will play a big role in making your bike look classy.
Your choice of cleaning product will be incredibly important. One of the most common misconceptions about how to clean whitewall tires on a motorcycle is using harsh chemicals. Many feel that using chemicals like alcohol and bleach will clean your bike and make it shine. However, it has adverse effects and causes yellowing over time. This will also break down the UV absorbers and rubber conditioners in the tire. These can easily lead to dry rot while also causing sidewalls to crack. All these issues will not only make the tires look undesirable, but also make them unsafe for driving.
Commercial motorcycle tire cleaning products contain a mixture of ammonia-based chemicals, acids, solvents, and water. These might be able to get rid of road grime or brake dust, these will also dissolve clear coats, painted finishes, and powder finishes. On top of all these, such chemicals will also cause skin and eye irritation. They can be quite harmful if ingested or inhaled.
Instead of buying cheap tire cleaners or using chemicals, simply grab a brush and use a whitewall tire cleaner. The whitewall tire cleaner will keep the tires in your Harley-Davidson bike super clean. It’ll get rid of any oil, road grime, brake dust, dirt, and more without causing any damage to the bikes. Moreover, it is safe even if you spray it on aluminum, chrome, or any other substance. Regularly cleaning your tires every 2-3 weeks will help prevent or even eliminate discoloration from grime, dirt, dust, oils, and more.
It is important to clean the whitewall tires on your Harley-Davidson bikes thoroughly. Not only will it give your bike a shinier, classier look, but it’ll also improve the lifespan of your bike. This will be possible as you’ll be cleaning and removing unnecessary dirt or grime that could have harmed the performance. Here, you’ll get to know the right way to clean the whitewall tires on your Harley-Davidson bike.
As a bonus, there are a couple of alternative methods as well that you can go for.
Look for a high-quality specialized whitewall tire cleaner in any hardware store or an online shop. Regular cleaners can work pretty well for removing dirt and discoloration on the motorcycle tires. However, they can also dry out the whitewall tires in the process. This will lead to early wear and tear.
Cleaning products that contain chlorine bleach and alcohol must be avoided at all costs. These harsh chemicals are harmful to the tires and will cause damage to them. To enjoy the best possible results, you can opt for natural whitewall tire cleaners. They’re not only easy on the environment, but they’ll be easy on your tires too.
You will have to use an SOS pad for cleaning the whitewall tires in your Harley-Davidson bike.
You can make use of a hose for wetting the whitewall tires. Further, you will have to wet the SOS pad too.
Once you’ve arranged the specialized cleaner mentioned in step 1, now will be the time to use it. If you’ve chosen the tire cleaning product in spray form, you’ll have to spray it on the wet tires directly. In case you’ve chosen one in liquid form, you should mix the chosen product in a bucket with tap water. This should be done according to the directions mentioned on the label. Moreover, you will have to soak the SOS pad in the mixture as well.
You will then need to put a bit of effort to clean the whitewall tires in your Harley-Davidson bike thoroughly. The effectiveness of your cleaning will be just as contingent on the intensity and duration of the scrubbing. As will be the product you’re using.
If the work you’re having to do is too intense to tackle by yourself, you can always ask for help.
You could either enlist the help of family members or friends who have experience with bikes. Lastly, there is always the option to go to a bike expert and get help.
Rinse the whitewall tires on your bike every few minutes when you’re washing. This will help you see properly how clean the tires have gotten. Reapply the cleaning products and continue cleaning until you’re satisfied with the results after you’ve rinsed the tires properly. Once you’ve scrubbed off the tires clean, simply use a water hose to rinse them off thoroughly.
Simply sprinkle a bit of baking soda on a sponge or a damp cloth. Then, wipe the surface of the whitewall tires on your Harley-Davidson bike in small, circular motions. After that, rinse the tires clean with water. Then, you’ll need to rinse the cloth before reapplying the baking soda every few minutes. Do this until you are thoroughly satisfied with the results.
For whitening the tires, you can use eraser cleaning pads as well. You can go for something like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pads. Wet both the pad and the tires and then wipe them in small, circular motions. To get the best results, simply rinse or replace the pads between tires.
In case the tires remain yellow despite persistent cleaning, you should be looking to use sandpaper. Simply sand the top layer of the whitewall tires using fine, dry sandpaper. It’ll allow you to remove the yellowed layer in the tires gently and slowly until a white layer has emerged. Rinse the tires clean using a water hose.
For keeping the whitewall tires clean and avoiding any heavy-duty cleaning, you should take the time to maintain them. Take out some time to wash the tires every 2-3 weeks.
You should use water, a tire cleaner, and a sponge. If you’re doing cleaning frequently enough, a gentle soap will be effective enough to use. If there is discoloration or persistent dirt, which is unlikely to happen if the tires are cleaned regularly, you should use a strong Whitehall tire cleaner and a scrub pad.
After cleaning the whitewall tires, you should simply use a water-based dressing. This will give the tires a decent shine while protecting the tires from harmful UV rays. Purchase a foam applicator or a tire dressing for your tires in the automotive department of department stores or online. You can apply the foam applicator and wipe it on the tires evenly until the desired results have been reached.
When you’re storing the whitewall tires, ensure that you give them ample space. This way, they won’t be leaning against each other. This could get the black rubber of the tires to rub against the white rubber and smudge them.
If you have the tires lean against each other, separate the tires using plastic sheeting. You can even store them in individual bags.
Whitewall tires on a Harley-Davidson bike normally turn yellow because of the UV rays or the heat. Sometimes, the oil from black rubber leeching through to the surface of the tires can also turn it yellow. During such situations, you’ll need to clean up your whitewall tires and whiten them properly. Taking care of your whitewall tires will be a great option to not only make your bike look neat but to increase the lifespan of the paint.
Further, you should also have regular dusting sessions and wash your bike every 2-3 weeks. Clean your bike with a brush or a duster with long handles or the extension of the vacuum cleaner. If you’re using a long, fuzzy brush, ensure that you’re checking that it isn’t leaving any residue on the wall.
You can make use of diluted dishwashing soap or a whitewall tire cleaner to clean the frame of your bike and the whitewall tires.
For thorough cleaning, you can also use a motorcycle degreaser as it’ll clean the gummy parts like the bike chain. Remember to use a solvent that is easy on the environment. Further, dispose of all the solvents safely and properly. White vinegar is another household favorite for cleaning whitewall tires. It will be up for the task of cleaning stains and grime from the tires. You can simply use a cup or two of white vinegar and have a bucket full of lukewarm water. Then, use a soft sponge for removing any rugged stains.
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know a lot more about how to clean whitewall tires on a motorcycle, the alternative ways to clean them, why they need to be cleaned, and more.
Cleaning the whitewall tires start with buying a high-quality whitewall tire cleaner and devoting time to scrubbing the tires. Use an SOS pad for cleaning them thoroughly. You can also use eraser cleaning pads or baking soda for whitening the tires, or even sand them if the yellowing is too tough to clean. Make sure that you’re cleaning the tires every couple of weeks for proper results.
Motorcycles belong to the category of vehicles, parts and components of which, during their operation, are subject to high mechanical loads and negative environmental influences. As a result, paint and varnish coatings of components and parts are often damaged. To restore damage and give the motorcycle its former beautiful appearance, powder coating of motorcycle parts in St. Petersburg can be done by our company, which offers these services in a stationary workshop.
Parts must be removed from the motorcycle in order to paint.
Only under this condition is it possible to further process them and obtain high quality. Powder coating of motorcycle parts includes:
As a result, metal surfaces acquire their original appearance and are reliably protected from corrosion and other adverse factors. This can be painting a motorcycle frame, fuel tank, fenders, rims and any other details.
| to | after |
| Motorcycle Parts | |||
| Sandblasting | Powder coated | Powder coated | |
| Motorcycle frame | From 1500 | From 2000 | From 2500 |
| Motorcycle fender | From 300 | From 500 | From 800 |
| Motorcycle tank | From 500 | From 600 | From 900 |
| Motorcycle sidecar | From 2000 | From 3000 | From 4000 |
| Moto sidecar frame | From 1500 | From 2000 | From 2500 |
| Spoke wheels | From 600 | From 1000 | From 1300 |
| Moto disc cast front | From 600 | From 900 | From 1200 |
| Moto disk cast rear | From 800 | From 1000 | From 1300 |
| Motorcycle swingarm | From 400 | From 600 | From 700 |
| Safety bars | From 500 | From 700 | From 800 |
| Exhaust pipe | From 500 | From 700 | From 800 |
The cost of powder coating is slightly higher than traditional painting technologies.
This is due to the increased energy intensity of the process and the cost of base materials. At the same time, it is quite affordable for most bikers and can be used to restore the impeccable look of your motorcycle.
Powder coating contains polymeric substances that melt during processing under the influence of temperature. The result is a very strong and durable coating resistant to negative external influences. Such staining is possible only in a workshop using special equipment. Therefore, painting of motorcycle parts in St. Petersburg is carried out only after they are removed from the vehicle.
Polymer powder coating of metal surfaces has a number of advantages over traditional painting technologies. These include:
All this ensures the widespread use of powder technologies in cases where it is required to paint motorcycle parts in St. Petersburg and provides a beautiful appearance of motorcycles.
When you need to paint the frame or parts of your motorcycle, do not do it with traditional enamel compounds. Only a powder polymer coating will provide reliable and durable metal protection. Such painting is not affected by temperatures and is very resistant to mechanical stress.
The most important factor influencing the quality of painting is the preliminary preparation of the surface. In our workshop, it is carried out using sandblasting equipment that removes even the smallest particles of pollution. After that, the surface is thoroughly degreased and dried. Such processing guarantees the highest quality of the subsequent coloring of the metal.
Spraying of the coloring composition using special equipment and strict adherence to temperature conditions ensure the preservation of the saturation of color shades, and the final polishing gives the perfect appearance of the surface of the parts.
We guarantee the highest quality processing at very affordable prices.
In order to paint the parts of your motorcycle in the workshop of our company, just call +7 (812) 495-96-31, daily 10:00-19:00, except Sat., Sun., or send an order to the e-mail address [email protected] We will come and take everything that you decide to restore for painting.
In addition, you can order a call back on the website or come to our workshop, which is located St. Petersburg, emb. Bypass channel 134, building 298 A.
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They are engaged in the restoration of old motorcycles and often order painting of mod parts from the Ferris Wheel company. The craftsmen always perform the work with high quality and within the stipulated time, for which I want to express my deep gratitude to them.
I thank the manager Alexey for organizing the painting of my motorcycle parts.
They helped with disassembly, selection of paint, and after 2 days I took the finished parts.
Brought the rear fender liner of the motorcycle to the workshop at Mineralnaya 13. They painted it white very quickly and, in my opinion, inexpensively. The surface is perfect. Very satisfied, thank you. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get an excellent painting result.
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Some car owners are fans of retro style and would not mind giving the wheels of their car a spectacular look. In some cases, you can paint the sidewalls of the tires white. But in order not to bother with preparing the surface for applying enamel, an accessory such as a wheel flipper is offered on the market. What is it and how to install it, more on that later.
A special lining called a flipper has been developed for retro car tires. In Western countries, the accessory is called White Wall (white sidewall). Therefore, among Russian motorists, linings are often called whitewalls.
Flippers are white wide rings 2 - 3 mm thick. Available for tires R12 - R19 inches. They give the car an interesting appearance, and also protect the sidewall of the tire from damage. In addition to white, they are also available in other colors.
At the dawn of mechanical engineering in the 19th and 20th centuries, tires were produced from pure rubber. Its structure is white, so the wheels were white. Then, in order to increase the strength of tires, carbon black (soot) was added to the rubber during vulcanization. But for those years, this process was very expensive. Therefore, the manufacturers decided to strengthen only the running part. As a result, the tires turned out black and white.
Soon, in the 1920s, the process of adding soot was reduced in cost, and automobile tires acquired an all-black color. And since the 1930s, it has become fashionable to use tires with a white stripe. Moreover, they were equipped with luxury cars. Then they forgot about black and white wheels. In the 60s, fashion returned and lasted until the end of the 70s.
In the USSR, they adopted the Western trend towards beautiful tires. In Moscow and other Soviet cities, Pobeda, 21st Volga, 412th Muscovites and Zhiguli (classic) with white sidewalls of tires and nickel-plated caps flaunted. Then the drivers themselves painted tires. Today, tires are produced by specialized manufacturers such as:
The cost of black and white wheels is much higher than that of conventional counterparts. Yes, it's hard to find them commercially. Therefore, many car owners use whitewalls.
Flippers have gained wide popularity in the world. They are mainly used by restorers and lovers of retro cars, including Russians. To date, the accessory market offers 3 types of overlays:
The color range is very rich. In addition to the traditional white, flippers are sold in red, blue, green, yellow and others. What should you pay attention to before choosing? Pay attention to the size of the pads, the brand of the manufacturer, the date of issue and certification information.
Whitewalls are quite capricious. It is necessary to constantly monitor the air pressure in the tire. With a weak or pumped wheel, the pad will not last long. When maneuvering in the yards, you can touch the curb with the sidewall. In this case, the flipper runs the risk of being damaged or left lying on the pavement.
