BF Goodrich Radial T/A letters turning brown

[Charger1970]

I put a new set of Radial T/As on my Charger last summer. The white letters are turning brown. Has anyone else had this problem with these tires?

A few details... I've had BFGs on this car since 2001. This is the third set. I've never had this problem before this set. It's not a cleaning issue. Ive tried Bleech White, Purple Power, scotch brite pads, etc. I don't use any tire dressing. Curiously I put a set of BFGs on my daily driver Blazer about 6 months after the Charger and do not have a problem with those. I have the same Wagner brake pads on both vehicles.

I'll try to post some pics later.

[lukedukem]

Mine too. Not sure when I bought them. I'll check. Not long ago

Luke

[keepat]

I think it comes from the dealer stacking the tires when they are new and the black stains the white letters.
Pat

[lukedukem]

Mine where white when I first bought them, just turned brown. Someone told me to take 180 grit paper on a D/A and clean them up. I might try that tomorrow. Ill post my results

Luke

[MoParJW]

From what I understand the letters turn brown from the inside out...
It is said only certain sizes BFG's have this problem 

[lukedukem]

I'm guessing that if these letters can't be brought back to white, that bfg won't warranty this. I really like the white lettering look

Luke

[1970Moparmann]

Mine did, but from older age.   I used a drier sheet in water and it did a great job.

[72Charger72]

I'm guessing that if these letters can't be brought back to white, that bfg won't warranty this. I really like the white lettering look

Luke

Years ago I used a white grease pen to re-white my letters...its not perfect just a work around?

[RallyeMike]

Have you tired a bleaching compound like Westley's Bleach White yet?

[John_Kunkel]

The browning occurs when elements in the rubber compound leech out, I've tried every recommended procedure and about the only thing that works is an occasional scrubbing with a fresh SOS pad. The brown will eventually come back.

[Patronus]

Same here. I tried it all. Bleach White and a wire toothbrush work best. I'm gonna go yellow letter soon. While we're on the subject, can anyone recommend a tire pen?

[brad mcintyre]

yellow might work

[lukedukem]

Same here. I tried it all. Bleach White and a wire toothbrush work best. I'm gonna go yellow letter soon. While we're on the subject, can anyone recommend a tire pen?

My cousin and his biker boys use tirepenz.com
It's actually pretty good from what I remember.

Luke

[stripedelete]

Now I know I'm old.   No one remembers  "white wall cleaner"  and a wire brush?
Pretty much what Patronus said, except back-in-the day it was much less surgical on the ole' sedan.
And back then it wasn't permanent either.

[RallyeMike]

Now I know I'm old.   No one remembers  "white wall cleaner"  and a wire brush?

I have worse news. It was mentioned several times up above and you forgot already! It might be time to start looking for a home.

[stripedelete]

Now I know I'm old.   No one remembers  "white wall cleaner"  and a wire brush?

I have worse news. It was mentioned several times up above and you forgot already! It might be time to start looking for a home.

I guess your right, scotch bight and sos is pretty much wire brush.  Just much less mystery to it back then.   

[lukedukem]

i tried to use some cleaner last night on my tires and nothing. but when i used this tool, it worked. 

[RallyeMike]

Good tip. Is that the 3M stripper pad?

[John_Kunkel]

Now I know I'm old.   No one remembers  "white wall cleaner"  and a wire brush?

I remember it but the stuff that's available nowadays is a joke. Like many chemicals today, diluted to protect the environment.

[birdsandbees]

Now I know I'm old.   No one remembers  "white wall cleaner"  and a wire brush?

I remember it but the stuff that's available nowadays is a joke. Like many chemicals today, diluted to protect the environment.

Yep.. I'm that old!

[Charger1970]

The browning occurs when elements in the rubber compound leech out, I've tried every recommended procedure and about the only thing that works is an occasional scrubbing with a fresh SOS pad. The brown will eventually come back.

That's got to be it because the scrubbing just isn't getting it. Except for Luke Dukem's die grinder. 

[Charger1970]

Here are a few pictures. The first is the brown letters. The second picture is after aggressive SOS pad scrubbing. Interestingly the third picture shows my daily driver Blazer tires which I purchased from the same dealer about 6 months after the Charger tires.

[lukedukem]

I did that one letter with my die grinder, I'm gonna leave it and see if the brown comes back. Hopefully it doesn't. And I'll do the rest. I'll update if it comes back


Luke

[Sublime/Sixpack]

If all else fails, I also resort to the die grinder and pad. I go real easy and take just enough off so the lettering is white again.

[lukedukem]

If all else fails, I also resort to the die grinder and pad. I go real easy and take just enough off so the lettering is white again.

That's exactly what I did. Just I bit off the top. Keep rpm low

Luke