Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

[Bill E.]

I'm trying to get the mold release off my new tires. I've tried SOS pads and Westley's with partial success. I read in earlier posts that mineral spirits works the best. What will mineral spirits do to the white lettering? Thanks, Bill

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

Mineral spirits will dissolve the mold release into an ugly brown goo. I usually apply it with a spray bottle, then brush it around with an old paint brush and wipe it off with a rag before the mineral spirits dry. Lettering can be worked with an old tooth brush. Try doing quarter sections of the tire at a time.

It would be best to avoid brushing the white lettering, but it if gets dirty, more applications should clean them up.

It usually take multiple applications as above to get the tire really clean, and consider the rags you use to be strictly throughaway.

Since I usually buy tires mail order, I clean off the mold release before taking them out to be mounted. It's a lot easier working with the unmounted tire on a flat surface than a mounted tire on the car. If you buy from a local store, take the tires home to clean them up, then back to the store for mounting.

Duke

[Bill E.]

Re: Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

Thanks Duke, unfortunately my tires are already on the car. My concern was that the mineral spirits would damage the white lettering, can I assume from your response that the only problem is getting brown crud on the lettering but that it can be cleaned off. Bill

[Rob A.]

Re: Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

Bill,

I've removed mold release using a rag and brush cleaner. It works well.

[James W.]

Re: Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

Bill,

I use 3M weather strip adhesive remover and it works great. Tear up some old towels to use as rags, wet them with the stuff and wipe off the release agent, go over the tire a second time with a clean towel wetted with the stuff and wipe off the white letters, it won't hurt them either.

Regards,

James West

[Bill E.]

Re: Tire Detailing and Mineral Spirits

James, I have a quart of 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner #08984. Is this the same stuff? Thanks, Bill