DIY - White letter tyres

[aedeau]

Hey all,

Had some spare time today so thought I might give my tyres the white letter treatment. I know there will be haters, but yeah I think it looks good :hide:

Initially I wanted outlines only, but as the paint pen is quite liquidly this didn't work. So I oped to colour in the the letters whilst leaving the raised edges black.

What you'll need:
1. A oil based paint pen (I used a uniball paint pen. Costs $6.50 at most newsagents. Guys in the states suggest a white sharpie paint pen, but I can't seem to find them here).
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt211/aedeau_2009/IMG_0725.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt211/aedeau_2009/IMG_0727.jpg
2. a couple of clean rags
3. paint thinner
4. patience

Process:
1. Apply the paint to the letters. Try to stay within the edges as it will help prevent a mess. I found "dotting" the paint on to be the best method. You can also colour in the letters by drawing with the grain, but you'll use much more paint than the dotting method. In summary, dotting is slower but uses less paint, where as drawing is quicker but will use more paint.
2. Do 2 or three letters and then proceed to step 3.
3. Put a dab of paint thinner onto your rag and then wipe vertically with light pressure. This will basically wipe the excess paint off and you'll be left with paint in the grain/grooves of the letter. Do not wipe in the direction of the grain as you'll wipe away the paint.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until finished.

The end result:
The good thing about this method is that you get an even finish on the letters by filling in the grooves. Also, when you wipe the excess paint off, it doesn't make it stand out as much - gives it bit more of a used look.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt211/aedeau_2009/IMG_0723.jpg

That's it!

flamesuit on :jester:

[WozstockgenIII]

I've always liked the white letter, maybe another coat to get it whiter.

[macca_779]

That looks really good mate. Always thought about doing mine but never found the time.

[lowriding]

Full car shot required here !!... I have white raised letters on my 4x4 ,looks good on that but jury is out on an SS !

[QldKev]

I did mine in the late 80's when the white letters was a big rage. (I feel old now)

Funny thing was I think that was the same paint pen I used. Took longer to put on than it did to smudge everywhere as it came off. :vpo:

anyone remember "Real men smoke ...."


QldKev

[Soopy]

That actually looks really good. Wonder how long till. I see a vn with white xhanchi tyres...

[v8dude78]

I did mine in the late 80's when the white letters was a big rage. (I feel old now)

Funny thing was I think that was the same paint pen I used. Took longer to put on than it did to smudge everywhere as it came off. :vpo:

anyone remember "Real men smoke ...."


QldKev

BFGoodrich Gezz now i feel old :(

Agree we need a full side shot :)

[poolkeeper]

pic of the whole car? looks ok lol

[NickVR]

My mates started doing this on there drift cars a few months ago, lol. Looks awesome, they even did it on their dailys too.

[SS317]

One of my hz prems back in the day had white letters on the tyres and I thought it was so cool haha that makes me feel old, don't no if I'm a fan of it on the Ve but good on you for giving it a try.

[gasguz]

Yeah needs a couple more coats to stand out more

I have a set of Eagers on my HX ute with the raised white letters, those & the jelly beans give the old girl a very old skool look.

[seedyrom]

Gay

Oh, and .... http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=69551



From that thread


http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre25.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre26.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre27.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre28.jpg


http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre03.jpg

[aedeau]

Full car shot required here !!... I have white raised letters on my 4x4 ,looks good on that but jury is out on an SS !


pic of the whole car? looks ok lol


Sorry guys, no full car pic atm. Car is parked at the side of the house (not much space), can't get the whole car in a single shot. Will get something up during the week.


Gay

Oh, and .... http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=69551


Just went to dinner 20 mins away. This involved driving on the freeway at 100kph and then normal suburban driving. No issues with smudging or anything like yours. But yours looks a lot whiter than mine. I'm happy with the faded/used look. Stands out enough, but not bright white like new volleys :1peek:.

Also, I forgot to add that my tyres are 7000kms/1year old so no silicon on the surface. I also prepped the surface with morning fresh in a 5L bucket of water and a sponge to get all the dirt and crap off first. Probably should have mentioned this in my how-to :doh:

[mummbles]

Real men smoke Eagers

[QldKev]

Real men smoke Eagers

That's the one

[smokey777]

i always thought it was smokim yokam

[v8dude78]

Real men smoke Eagers

Can you imagine them running that kind of campaign today :confused:

[whitels1ss]

Gay

Oh, and .... http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=69551



From that thread


http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre25.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre26.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre27.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre28.jpg


http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/seedytyre03.jpg

The paint and everything looks great but you still have the wrong badges...

3.8 litre??? :jester::jester::jester:

[kangavxss]

Maybe ONLY do it if they pay you for advertising their product in such a BOLD way or give you a discount on the tyre...

[Jesterarts]

I have to admit I love it. That oldschool look of tyre.

Now all I need it some tyres that are a brand worth advertising. :)

[Souljah]

Might have to do this to my VQ Stato daily haha.

[aedeau]

I have to admit I love it. That oldschool look of tyre.

Now all I need it some tyres that are a brand worth advertising. :)

nankangs
:rofl:

[73.RSR]

Yeah I love the look also.
I used to have the SF340 Eagers which were a 60 series tyre, the SF330 were the super low profile 50 series :shock:

I haven't found anyone who has done them successfully, they never seem to last more than a month - would love to be proven wrong though.

[JezzaB]

I like it. Good job mate.

Yeah i dont think it would be the same if it was LINGLONG or SIMEX :lmao:

[Soopy]

Yeah I love the look also.
I used to have the SF340 Eagers which were a 60 series tyre, the SF330 were the super low profile 50 series :shock:

I haven't found anyone who has done them successfully, they never seem to last more than a month - would love to be proven wrong though.

I guess if you use the correct paint it will last longer then a paint pen.

[WozstockgenIII]

I like it. Good job mate.

Yeah i dont think it would be the same if it was LINGLONG or SIMEX :lmao:

Maybe make up a stencil and call it whatever you want:)

[silvervyss]

Must have for old school cars :
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k358/rebels535/62b23698.jpg

[jai]

nothing compares to the almighty RWB in Japland :) Stencil that sh!t bro!

http://www.fivesecgarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/AY0F2973.jpg

http://speedhunters.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/EA.SpeedHunter.Web.ThumbnailBuilder/00.00.08.26.45/thumb1.jpg

http://ivyleagueeast.com/wp-content/gallery/matte-purp-rwb-promodet-993/rwbmeet100214_137.jpg

http://ivyleagueeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RWBrm_5.jpg

[FLY-346]

look's ok, still not 100% sold on the white letters on new car thing, unless of course they are of semi/full slick origin. old cars though, eat your heart out

[73LJWhiteSL]

It looks ok on the Calais, nice contrast with the Maroon. Personaly i like it best on the 70s cars (like the Falcon above). I'm hoping to get a set of BF Goodrich Radial T/As for the Torana when its going.

Steve

[MUSL]

Looks good with the standout lettering..

[aedeau]

had a chance to take a side on shot today. This is what it looks like
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/aedeau/IMG_0744.jpg

Some of the rear letters are coming off a bit, so I think i'll do another coat at some stage

[gamevx]

Should try this on my cheap and cheerful "rockstone supa sport" tyres....

[aedeau]

a couple more pics:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/aedeau/IMG_0748.jpg

sv6 spec (i.e. no SS badge)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/aedeau/IMG_0749.jpg

[mikeyy]

I think the brighter white look better.

Otherwise they remind me of faded white walls!

[DuffMan]

I don't mind it. Prefer the faded look you achieved. Probably wouldn't do it myself though...