If you are able to, clean the tires in a shady spot so they stay cool and don’t dry out as quickly. A pressure washer is more effective than a garden hose. If you have one, use it to blast more loose debris off while hosing down the tires.
Work on the tires one at a time. That way, you can focus your energy on one of them without worrying about the others drying off. Whitewall tire cleaners are formulated without bleach or alcohol, so they don’t crack or yellow paint. Other types of wheel cleaners may have harsh chemicals in them. Most of the products you can use to clean, remove, and paint tires are available online, at hardware stores, and at auto parts stores.
You could use a scrubbing pad if you prefer it to scrub brushes. Get a mildly abrasive, soap-covered steel wool pad, for instance, or a microfiber pad. Stiff scrubbers can scratch up your tires, so don’t use anything too abrasive.
Double-check to make sure that the tires are completely clean! You could give them a quick wipedown again after you remove them to ensure they are ready to be painted.
Save your cloth and other tools specifically for your tires. They could have harmful things, such as brake dust on them. Brake dust is very abrasive and can harm your car’s paint job, for instance.
You could also use other tools, like a wrench or a socket wrench. If you’re unable or unwilling to remove the tires, take care to cover the edges and rims. You can paint tires while they’re on a vehicle and still get a quality finish, but it’s a little easier to do it while they are on the ground.
When jacking up a car, park on solid ground in an area away from traffic. Work in your garage, for instance. Soft ground, such as grass and dirt, can’t support the vehicle’s weight. Focus on one tire at a time. It’s better to remove, paint, and replace them individually instead of all at once. You will have to move the jack and jack stands to remove each tire. If you’re removing them all at the same time, use plenty of jack stands, blocks, or hydraulic lifts to keep the car off the ground.
Be careful to avoid moving the car at all. Make sure it’s secure on the jacks before attempting to remove the wheels.
Don’t paint on an uncovered surface. Painting can get a little messy, so your floor could end stained before you’re through. Drop cloths are available online or at most hardware stores. However, scrap material works just as well, but make sure it’s bigger than the tire.
You could also cut a piece of cardboard and tape it over the rim. It will help keep the rim clean. Make sure the tire is well-sealed so paint doesn’t leak under the tape. It can prevent you from getting that clean, circular pattern whitewall tires have.
While you can paint without using a primer, whitewall tires have a chemical in them that causes paint to turn brown. Using a primer can help block out that chemical. Make sure the primer is compatible with the type of paint you’re going to use. If you’re using a general primer, this won’t be a problem.
Finding the right pace can be a little tricky if you have never used spray paint before. Watch how the paint sticks. If it looks spotty, sweep the canister along at a slower rate, and speed up if the paint builds up too much.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended drying time. Keep in mind that the primer will take longer to dry in cool or humid conditions. Since whitewall tires often discolor paint, it’s a good idea to add 2 or even 3 layers of primer to help block out the chemicals.
Whitewall paint is available online. It can be somewhat expensive and difficult to find. Plus, it doesn’t always stay white for very long. Another option is to use white spray paint. Try using one designed for difficult surfaces or plastic. Acrylic house paints can also work pretty well, but you can also use Plasti Dip.
While you’re waiting, you can clean off your paintbrush to prevent it from accumulating dried paint. Dip it into a small, plastic container filled with turpentine, then let it dry on its own before using it again.
After the paint has finished drying, peel the tape off the tire and clean your paintbrush. You could also finish the tire with a clear coat. It’s a transparent type of paint that blocks sunlight, preventing underlying paint from yellowing.
