[Keith Seymore]

All -

Any tricks for keeping your redlines looking better than new?

I haven't had to do anything to these since I got them but now it's time.

Can you use Bleachwhite on them? Brillo pad? Just a scrub brush? Tire dressing?

Any and all tips are welcome. I do prefer a more "matte" finish, btw (not "glossy" or wet looking).

Thanks,

K

[saltman 1965]

Keith I have Firestone redlines. I use Bleche-Wite & a stiff plastic brush. The tires are over 20 years and still look good. I also do not like the "wet" look the best thing I have found is Zaino perfect tire gloss nice matte finish & is long lasting. Bad thing is you can only get online [url]www.zaniostore.com Hope this helps Saltman

[Keith Seymore]

Thanks, Saltman.

Can you spray the tire dressing on the sidewall, or do you have to use a brush to keep it off the red stripe?


Keep 'em coming, guys.

K

[Stuart]

I use Bleche-White, it works great on whitewalls so I can only assume it will work on redwalls too. If the tires are really dirty I'll use a small brush, like a nail brush or vegetable scrubbing brush, but if they're still fairly clean a kitchen sponge will do the job (it is kind of hard on your skin, so wear gloves if you're sensitive about that sort of thing.) When you spray it on, try to keep it off the wheel as it can be hard on the paint. For tire dressing I use Vinylex; it's made by the same people who sell Lexol treatment for leather, and you should be able to find it at the auto parts store. It's not glossy and seems to last a long time.

[NoMoCEO]

I use Simple Green spray degreaser on both my redlines and white lettered tires.

Make sure the tire is already wet, spray on and let sit, scrub the redlines with a nail brush, wipe down the whole tire with one of those scrubbing sponges for bug removal and rinse.

Hate the shiny look, so no tire dressing. This leaves them very clean and black, looking like new.

[Old Blue 66]

I used to have redlines and Bleach white does just ok.....But, this works 10 times better

Its called Purple Dragon, made by a company called AIM (Auto Industrial Marine). They are based in Atlanta. Ive only been able to find it here at one store. I didnt find much in the google search. I did call the company and they have a local distributor here. If you want the name, let me know.

I highly recommend the stuff. It leaves Bleach White in the dust.


Auto Industrial Marine Chemicals Inc.
4595 Commerce Pkwy., Buford, GA 30515, United States
(770)945-2303, (770)932-2010 fax,
Primary SIC: Specialty Cleaning Polishing, Primary NAICS: Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
Description: Manufacturing: Specialty Cleaning Polishing

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Thanks, Saltman.

Can you spray the tire dressing on the sidewall, or do you have to use a brush to keep it off the red stripe?


Keep 'em coming, guys.

K

Never use a brush on redlines.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Never use a brush on redlines.

You mean don't use a scrub brush on redlines? Because of abrasion?

When I said "brush" here I was referring to was using one of those sponge applicators to put the tire dressing on the sidewall, to keep from getting the dressing on the red stripe itself.

K

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You mean don't use a scrub brush on redlines? Because of abrasion?

When I said "brush" here I was referring to was using one of those sponge applicators to put the tire dressing on the sidewall, to keep from getting the dressing on the red stripe itself.

K

Yes.

[fyrffytr1]

Paul,
I think Keith was asking if it was alright to apply the dressing (Zaino, Vinylex) to the redline stripe itself.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by fyrffytr1

Paul,
I think Keith was asking if it was alright to apply the dressing (Zaino, Vinylex) to the redline stripe itself.

Correct. I accidently got some Armor-all on there and it left some black streaks.

K

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Yes.

Uh, yea, I knew that, I was just seeing if YOU were paying attention.

[fyrffytr1]

We still don't have an answer to our question. Can you put the tire dressing on the red stripe?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Correct. I accidently got some Armor-all on there and it left some black streaks.

K

That seems odd - had the tire been fully cleaned AND rinsed off? I can't imagine how Armorall would make black streaks on its own, but if there was still some residue on the rubber it would spread it around.

[Jerry H.]

I've probably had a dozen sets of different brands of redlines over the years, repros from US Royals to Firestones to BF Goodrichs. Also a couple of sets of Diadmondback Classic Radial redlines. I always cleaned them just like I would a WL tire. Usually just a little 'purple power' cleaner over a wet tire. Of course I've never had one of these tires very dirty. I also have always used Meguires # 40 vinyl and rubber dressing to dress them. I've used it for 25 years and buy it by the gallon. It is not super glossy like Armour all (I'd never use that) and has NO silicone. I simply spray it on the tire and buff it with an old T shirt. I rub it in the red stripe also. Never had a problem.

[Keith Seymore]

Thanks guys,

Good input -

K

[GT182]

And don't let anyone use the old brass sidewall cleaning bursh on your tires. An idiot tried to use one on my BFG WL tires after he mounted them on the rims and put them on the car. I told him to leave em alone, I'd clean them. When he set that brush down and turned around, I stuffed it in the trash.

Armour All is the worst thing you can use on your car.... inside and out. You'll laugh but... Pledge works great.

[Jerry H.]

Pledge works great.

That brings back memories way back in the 60's, before Armour All and the other tire dressings became popular. We used Pledge on the interior and brake fluid on the tires.

[GT182]

The only thing I use brake fluid for is the braking system. It will eat the paint off you car and I don't imagine it's very good for rubber. When I was hauling new cars out of the GM factories there were times there'd be a leak and brake fluid would get on the paint.... what a mess. The wind from driving down the highways would actually spread it around so it affected a larger area. The dealers would be really upset as they had to have those areas repainted... but at GM's expense. And thankfully not against us.

The only thing I use to protect the tires and make them look better is silicone from a spray can. It will keep them from weather checking.

[The Boss]

Gary - this is a 9 year old thread?