VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 White wall Tires

What paint do one use to paint the white walls of tires?

Years ago there was a special white wall tire paint. It has not been available for years. Most white paints like this will turn brown with todays rubber due to the oils bleeding out of the rubber.

I used it years ago (about 1961) it cracked and turned brownish real fast. I doubt it is any better now but I have seen it on Ebay.

Originally the cars did not come with white walls. I have seen the painted ones and in my opinion, they were better off not painting them in the first place.

I have a photograph of a 1931 Chevrolet Dealer Showroom and there is a Cabriolet in the picture with double white wall tires, inside and outside.

I have the same photograph. The tires are aftermarket items added by the dealer.

By the way, all whitewall tires of that period were double whitewalls, not single.

I think they look good, myself. Give's the car a real POP. Like an al capone caddy.

I like mine.

I never had white walls on our 31. I had cream wheels and I thought white walls with cream wheels was to much. Just my personal preference. I like white walls with darker colored wheels.

I had one fellow that had a six wheel 32 tell me that everytime one certain member judged his vehicle he would loose one point per tire. In my book that should never happen.

I got some whitewall paint off ebay to do the the tires on my 31 which were white walls that has weathered where they would not clean up. It was not easy to mask the tires to get the outer edge even but can be done by taking the time. They don't look smooth like the factory white walls but saved a lot of money instead of replacing them. Follow the instructions on the can as the tires must be on the rims and aired up before painting. Just type in whitewall tire paint into ebay and it brings up several dealers of the paint. I used the one that has the green Chevy in his ad. Chuick

I truely believe that it is the taste of the owner and what they want to show. I have seen many a car that in my opinion should have never had white walls, but thats my opinion and not my car. I like white walls if they fit the car. Best way I found to clean white walls is lots of scrubbing and lots of elbow grease.

Westleys takes care of that. Little hand work needed. Spray on, wait a few minutes, take a hose and a sponge and rub the walls down, rinse and your good.

That stuff works great.

Thanks for that!