How to Remove Road Paint from Tires – 4 Ways to Clean Fast

It is obvious that if you run your car through a road that just has been painted, your car tires will end up with paint on them. Sometimes, we cannot avoid the construction area since our workstation comes down that way. But having road paint on your expensive car tires does not make any sense. Therefore, you feel an extreme urge to know how to remove road paint from tires.

Well, removing road paint from tires can be very tricky at times. There are several methods in this regard. But if you do not come up with the right ways and proper gear then you might end up having a bad experience.

Generally, we see road paint come in yellow or white colors. Whatever the color, once it manages to get on the tire, the rubber of the tire soaks it. Eventually, it becomes harder to clean it off. However, you do not need to remove it, when the color gets in touch with the tire tread. It comes off slowly when you continue driving.

Nonetheless, if the road paint gets stuck to the sidewalls of car tires, then it will not come off until you take some action. So, if you are on this site, you must be looking for ways. Hence, let’s get to know how to get road paint off tires.

How to Remove Road Paint from Tires – Quick Solutions

Well, there are different methods and ways available for removing road paint from tires. Knowing the ways will help you to maintain your car more properly. Also, once you manage to pursue this skill, there is no going back. Moreover, these methods require materials that are available nearhand. So, let’s see how you can remove road paint and curb paint from car tires.

a) Using Rubbing Alcohol –

If the stain is still fresh then you can apply a quick method to remove it. It is easier and satisfying enough since you barely need to put in any effort. Well, this quicker method requires some rubbing alcohol. Or, you can take Isopropyl alcohol from your nearby store. It cleans off the road stain pretty quickly. Its application method is also easy.

Applying Process:

Just take a piece of cloth and pour the rubbing alcohol that you have. Do not be overwhelmed while pouring alcohol. Just take a generous amount of it. Then rub the cloth on the stained areas of the tire. You will not need to put a lot of pressure while rubbing. In fact, wiping the tire with a cloth will take off the stain. Since the stain is still fresh, it will be wet as well. So, simply wiping away is enough to do the job. When the road paint comes off fully, clean it with a dry and clean rag.

So, you see it is the simplest and easiest way ever. But this method is only applicable when you manage to take off the tire immediately when it catches the road paint. However, the rubbing alcohol will not work in this way if the road paint is already dry on your tire. In that case, you can follow the following methods. Read Also: Powder Coat Vs Paint Wheels [Which is Most Durable]

b) By Using Baking Soda and Lemon Juice –

To go with some of the best homemade remedies, use baking soda and lemon juice together. They will provide you with the best result possible. Along with baking soda and lemon juice, you will also need a nylon-bristled brush. This brush works great for rubbing tires. Now, let’s get to the steps.

• Step – 1: Take off the Tire and Clean it

This is the first and foremost thing to do no matter what method you are following or which material you are using. Take off the tire from your car technically and then clean it with water. Hose down properly with water so that there is no dust and debris left.

• Step – 2: Scrub the Road Paint Spot

When you are done cleaning, it is time to scrub off the spots where you can see the road paint. For scrubbing purposes, use the nylon-bristled brush we mentioned earlier. This brush is heavy-duty and highly effective. Scrubbing with it will make the road paint components lose and ready to get off soon.

• Step – 3: Apply Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Respectively apply baking soda and lemon juice. First, sprinkle some baking soda on the tire rubber where the road paint is visible. Make sure to sprinkle it when the tire is still wet. Then eventually apply the lemon juice as well to the same places.

Together baking soda and lemon juice will react and create a stronger cleaning agent. This combination is used all-around for cleaning things that are actually hard to clean. Therefore, this lemon and baking soda combination are considered the best household cleaner.

• Step – 4: Scrub the Areas Again

Again, take the bristled brush and start scrubbing the areas where you have already applied the baking soda and lemon juice. Scrub properly and let the cleaning agent react with the road paint.

• Step – 5: Reapply the Materials

If some road paint is still there on the car tire, again apply some baking soda along with lemon juice. Continue scrubbing on the areas till the paint removes completely. You can add some more baking soda if needed.

• Step – 6: Rinse off the Tire

When the road paint is completely removed from the tire, rinse it off with water properly. Read Also: Self Etching Primer Vs Epoxy Primer: Which is Better Before Paint?

c) By Using Vegetable Oil –

Sometimes, the paint can be very stubborn. In such cases, using only baking soda and lemon juice is not enough. You need to look for stronger materials to cope with the situation. However, using vegetable oil can be beneficial in this case. To make vegetable oil effective enough to get dry paint off from car tires follow the steps we are discussing below.

• Step – 1: Apply Vegetable Oil Coat

This is the very first step in this method. Observe the affected areas and apply a layer of vegetable oil to them. Make sure to apply only a generous amount of oil. Getting carried away can cause waste.

• Step – 2: Let the Coating Sit

After applying a layer of vegetable oil, leave the coat for about 2 to 4 hours. Within this time, the vegetable oil will react with the road paint. It will break down the stain components and make them apart from the tire.

• Step – 3: Scrub Your Tire

After waiting for 2 to 4 hours, inspect the stained areas. If you see the stain components are loosely sitting on the tire, start scrubbing. Use the nylon-bristled scrubber for easy and effortless scrubbing. Continue scrubbing the tire until the stains get off.

• Step – 4: While Scrubbing Apply Some Water

While scrubbing the coat, keep applying water occasionally. It helps to stimulate the substance to react with the paint more. Then start scrubbing again forcefully. Eventually, it will take off all the stains.

• Step – 5: Finally, Rinse Off

When the vegetable oil scrubs off the road paint, rinse off the tire with water until the oil is removed properly. Then wipe away the tire with a dry cloth.

This way you can get rid of stubborn white or yellow road paint. Many might doubt the suitability of an ingredient like vegetable oil. Well, this material is highly effective and it also brings a shiny look to the tire rim, wheel and rubber. Moreover, there is no chance of damage while using this product. Read Also: Powder Coat Vs Epoxy Paint: Difference & Which is Better

d) Clean with Bug & Tar Remover –

Coming to the most complicated part where it is almost difficult to  get road paint off from car tires. As we already mentioned, while a tire tread can remove the road paint easily, it is quite hard when the road paint sticks on the tire sidewall. There you need to be a bit tricky with the process. Even though at first it may seem difficult, you can do it if you use bug and tar remover. This product makes the entire process easier.

Step – 1: Wash the Tire with Soap and Water

To apply the main product in this process, the tire of the car needs to clean first. Make sure there is not any debris sticking to the tire and its sidewalls. Soak the tire with the solution of soap and water and then rub with a sponge. Rub off all the debris left on the tire and make it super clean.

Step – 2: Apply Bug and Tar Remover and Let It Sit

When you are done cleaning the tire, it is time to apply the bug and tar remover. Use some techniques before applying this product. Shake it first so that the components of the formula get incorporated properly with each other. Then spray it on the areas where you find road paint. Make sure you keep a distance of about 6 to 7-inches from the tire surface while spraying. Direct spray on the tire can cause damage.

After spraying the bug and tar remover maintaining the rules, let the coat set for about a few minutes. Meanwhile, the product will seep through the road paint and react with it. Make sure you do not let it sit for a long time. It will not bring any good to the tire sidewall.

Step – 3: Scrub the Sidewall Surface

After a few minutes, scrub off the coat using a scrubber. Use a bristled scrubber that is soft and won’t hurt the sidewall of the tire. Also, make sure to scrub gently since sidewalls are the most important part of tires. If the sidewall is damaged or punctured anyhow, you will need to replace the tire with a new one. It is simply because damages on the sidewalls of the tires are barely fixable. So, when you are scrubbing the area be gentle with the task. Keep scrubbing softly and stop when the stain comes off properly.

Step – 4: Rinse the Tire and Dry it

When you are done with the previous step, it is time to clean off the product you have used on the tire sidewall. Rinse the tire with soap water and get rid of the bug and tar remover. After cleaning it, dry the tire using a lint-free towel. Then you are done and your tire sidewall is stain-free and shiny.

You may also read: Clear Coat Over Metallic Paint: Five Ways to Enhance Beauty

FAQs-

Questions-1: Can you use paint remover on tires?

Answer: Yes, you can use paint remover on tires to remove unwanted paint on them. Only use the product in the areas where the paint is visible. Make sure to wash off the tire properly before applying the paint remover.

Questions-2: Is paint thinner safe on tires?

Answer: Well, it has some conflicting answers. Many people think that paint thinner is an easier solution for getting rid of paint from rubber tires. Whereas some think exactly the opposite. Nonetheless, in our opinion, if the paint thinners are petroleum-based, you should not use them. They are harsh products for car tires. Petroleum solvents and other products react harshly with the tire rubber and eventually lead it to wear and break down.

Furthermore, lacquer thinners are also responsible for the tear and wear of tires. They react aggressively to the tire rubber. Other relative products include whitewall cleaners, paint strippers, and also make your tire brittle. Consequently, these products shorten the life span of the tires. However, it is also said that using these products for a shorter period will not cause any significant damage to the tire. Still, if your car is high maintenance, you better not use these products.

Questions-3: Will paint remover hurt tires?

Answer: Fortunately, paint remover will not cause any harm to your car tires. Even if the wheel is made of aluminum, the product will still work just finer. So, you can feel safe about using a paint remover on tires.

Questions-4: Is paint remover safe on rubber?

Answer: Most of the time, using paint remover is safe on rubber. But excessive use and using the product for a longer duration can react with rubber materials and make it prone to wear and tear. However, gentle use in a proper way might not hurt the rubber. So, know the process first.

Final Word:

It is critical that you remove paint from your tire within a certain period of time in order to prevent disfigurement as well as an increase in tire wear. Your tires develop cracks when the paint dries on them. The wheel will eventually need to be replaced, and that will be so expensive.

Don’t rush the exercise and give it your all-out effort. It is difficult to remove the paint, and it takes a long time to remove. You should be prepared to go through the process of washing the tire if you choose to remove it. Also, make sure your tools are all you need to complete the task without adversely affecting your tires.