What are white letter tires?
White letter tires were born out of early tire production history: white walls and molded lettering. Though not as common today, there are still many lines of tires sporting this distinctive style, often designated in their model number as RWL (Raised White Lettering). Whitewall tires or white-sidewall (WSW) tires are tires having a stripe or entire sidewall of white rubber. These tires were most commonly used from the early 1900s to around the mid-1980s.Next in our series of tire markings is a letter instead of a number. This letter indicates the type of construction used within the casing of the tire, which in our example is “R” for Radial construction. Other examples are “B” for Bias-ply or “D” for Diagonal construction.White letter tires were created by combining raised text on the white sidewall and covering the lower portions with black rubber. This became a standard for racing tires so that manufacturers could boldly advertise their product while adding competitive flair.
What happened to white letter tires?
Tire lettering made its way to production tires in the mid-to-late 1960s in the form of raised white letter tires and gained popularity with American muscle cars in the 1970s and 1980s until tire manufacturers stopped producing raised white letter tires on a mass scale. Make your own white letter tires using our REAL rubber raised white letter tire kits (patent pending). They adhere permanently to the sidewall of your tire in seconds. White Tire Paint pens cannot compare the performance of our REAL rubber letters.Whether you should put white letters out on your tires depends on your personal preference and the desired look for your vehicle. It’s a stylistic choice, and some truck owners prefer the classic appearance of white lettering facing outward for added visual impact.People ask if a tire paint pen or tire paint marker works for tire lettering. The answer is yes and no – While a tire paint pen or marker can be used to add white letters to your tires, tire paint is certainly not without drawbacks.
Why were white wall tires banned?
February) the US government banned the production of white side walled tires because of the Korean War effort. Wide whitewall tires reached their zenith in popularity by the early-1950s. ARE WHITE WALL TYRES ILLEGAL? Yes, white wall tyres are legal. The legality stems from removing the tyre lettering size on the side wall.Why did white wall tires disappear? White wall tires began to disappear from the market when manufacturers began to decrease the height of the tires. The thick white stripe along the sidewalls did not allow tire brands to create tires with lower sidewall profiles. For this reason, entirely black tires became popular.In the early days of cars, tires were white. Since natural rubber was not ideal for tires, they were fortified with zinc oxide, another white material. The superior carbon black later replaced zinc oxide as a means to strengthen tires, but, at the time, it was quite expensive.
Why are Michelin tires white?
The Michelin Man is white because rubber tires are naturally a grey/white color. It was not until 1912 that carbon chemicals were mixed into the white tires which turned them black. Natural rubber, when it first comes from the tree, is white. But as it undergoes various processing stages—especially vulcanization 2 (the heating process that hardens the rubber)—its color can change, often becoming darker. The addition of other materials, such as carbon black, also affects its final appearance.Natural rubber latex is a milky white color. When automakers started using rubber tires, those tires were white.Natural rubber is harvested from rubber trees, processed and shipped worldwide. Before processing, natural rubber exits the tree in the form of a white, milky latex. Unless the latex is contaminated, that means the natural color of rubber straight from the tree is white.
Why don’t they make white tires anymore?
Why did white wall tires disappear? White wall tires began to disappear from the market when manufacturers began to decrease the height of the tires. The thick white stripe along the sidewalls did not allow tire brands to create tires with lower sidewall profiles. For this reason, entirely black tires became popular. Whitewalls have a simple origin story: pure rubber doesn’t wear that well. One of the early success stories in mixing chemical compounds into tires to add longevity was zinc oxide. This had the side effect of creating a completely white tire.Discount Tire Whether you’re outfitting a classic ride or updating a contemporary vehicle with vintage styling, there’s something elegant and refined about a set of whitewall tires.While white wall tires may require a bit more effort to keep clean than standard tires, it’s worth it for the aesthetic appeal. Simply use a soft-bristled brush and mild soap to gently scrub away dirt and grime. With a little bit of care, your white wall tires will look great for miles to come.Although wide whitewalls are virtually nonexistent as a factory option on modern automobiles, they are still manufactured in original bias-ply or radial form by specialty outlets such as Diamondback Classic tires, Coker Tire and Vogue Tyre.
Does Firestone make white letter tires?
Firestone Wide Oval Tires Wide Oval tires are available in pinstripe whitewall, redline and raised white letter. Coker Tire offers All White tires in many clincher and straight-side sizes, in the Firestone, Coker and G&J brand. The All White Firestone automobile tires include smooth and Non-Skid tread patterns, while the Firestone motorcycle tires include the Non-Skid tread and the racing tread patterns.