What is the best cleaner you have found for the white walls on your Studebaker's tirea?

[woodysrods]

I too am old school.
I have had whitewals on all my cars dore the past 45 years.
SOS pads work the best.
As a matter of fact I am going to clean mine today after the long trip to and from South Bend.
Good Roads
Brian

[cultural infidel]

I have a newer bottle of the Westley's stuff in the garage, but y'all are swaying me away from it. Guess I will pick up some SOS Pads.

[jclary]

I have a newer bottle of the Westley's stuff in the garage, but y'all are swaying me away from it. Guess I will pick up some SOS Pads.

Astounding...I don't know if it is the "Studebaker" personality, too lazy to read the postings, or lack of reading comprehension...but, time and time again, some have correctly posted that bleach and silicone products should not be used. Then, someone will post the exact opposite as a recommendation. Both, Diamondback, and Coker state the following on their websites...

"Never use bleach or silicone-based cleaners as they tend to dry and discolor the white wall."

If the two major suppliers of vintage tire companys are so adamant about this, what is the reason to doubt? If they were uncaring and selfish in the most mercenary business sense, they would try their best to get you to use the bleach stuff so your tires would go bad quicker, not last as long, and they could sell you more tires more often.

(sorry for the rant, but sitting here marinating in the stew of some malady that caused a visit to the Doctor yesterday...and taking meds...has left me a bit cranky.)

[cultural infidel]

Astounding...I don't know if it is the "Studebaker" personality, too lazy to read the postings, or lack of reading comprehension...but, time and time again, some have correctly posted that bleach and silicone products should not be used. Then, someone will post the exact opposite as a recommendation. Both, Diamondback, and Coker state the following on their websites...

"Never use bleach or silicone-based cleaners as they tend to dry and discolor the white wall."

If the two major suppliers of vintage tire companys are so adamant about this, what is the reason to doubt? If they were uncaring and selfish in the most mercenary business sense, they would try their best to get you to use the bleach stuff so your tires would go bad quicker, not last as long, and they could sell you more tires more often.

(sorry for the rant, but sitting here marinating in the stew of some malady that caused a visit to the Doctor yesterday...and taking meds...has left me a bit cranky.)

Astounding indeed. This is the first time that I have read this. Guess I am lazier than I had thought.

[JBOYLE]

Laziness has nothing to do with it. I'll guess experience does.

I'd assume that people want to buy Westley's it's because they used it for years without any troubles.
Ceratinly, they've been in business for a long time, so their products can't be THAT bad. How have they stayed in business, there can't be that many first (and only) time customeres out there?

Now two tire companies say don't use it.
Perhaps the stuff whitewalls are made out of today isn't what it used to be.

I'd like a straight answer...before buying the Avanti I haven't had a car with white walls since 1982.

[Son O Lark]

Formula 409 works well and is fairly cheap!

[jimmijim8]

When the Westleys bottle ran dry and even before we could figure why even buy it we used AJAX. COMET Cleanser. BON-AMI. SOS pads or BRILLO pads. Combining the pads with the cleanser was real good. If you had blackwall tires you followed up a good washing with a rag moistened with brake fluid. Talk about dressing a tire. cheers jimmijim

[2R5]

Ever think it may be their tires ? <g>

[Pat Dilling]

I agree with jclary, wide whitewall tires from either Coker or Diamondback cost me North of $250 a piece. If they tell me not to use bleach products to maintain the tires they manufacture and sell, I am going to believe them. Using a sanding sponge, 5-600 grit sand paper or scotchbrite pads per their directions has worked well for me in most cases. I have had occasion to use SOS pads when the tires were especially dirty and that worked well. I will match the whiteness of my tires against any I have seen. If you want to use Westley's or other bleach products, go ahead. To paraphrase a familiar saying on these forums: your tires, your money, your choice.