Getting paint on your tires can be problematic, because while the paint won’t interfere with tire performance, it often degrades the look and aesthetic of your vehicle.
However, if you don’t know how to remove paint from tires, using the wrong product could damage them and place you in danger while driving. So, if you’d like to learn how to remove paint from tires properly, keep reading to see what I gathered on this topic!
Can You Get Paint Off Tires?
Drivers can remove paint from their tires with vegetable oil, baking soda, and lemon juice if the paint has dried, as well as bug and tar remover. However, if the paint is still fresh, drivers can use a cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove the paint (both of these options apply to spray paint in addition to road paint).
For more information on removing paint from tires, including overspray, road paint, spray paint and more, read on for more useful facts!
How Do I Remove Road Paint From Tires?
In order to remove road paint from tires, you’ll require bug and tar remover, a sponge and a scrubber with soft bristles or a terry cloth, and must consult the following method:
- Using a sponge, clean road debris such as dirt, gravel and other particles from your tires.
- Take the container of bug and tar remover, shake it well and hold it at a distance from the area with the paint, about 6 to 7 inches (approximately 15 to 18 centimeters).
- Spray the remover onto the problem region of your tires and leave it to sit for about 1 minute so it can break down the paint.
- After 1 minute elapsed, use a terry cloth or soft bristle brush to scrub the surface until everything comes off.
- Finally, wash off your tires with soap and water before using a lint-free towel to dry it.
However, drivers should note that there are different types of road paint and, while you might drive through mild road paint, you may also drive through thermoplastic paint, which is much harder to remove.
What Can I Use To Get Regular Paint Off Tires?
To remove regular paint from your tires, you only need common household supplies such as vegetable oil, baking soda and lemon juice.
While there are products available for removing paint from tires, it’s more economical to use the above mixture (unless you’re regularly spilling paint onto your tires).
Unlike other cleaning supplies, vegetable oil, baking soda and lemon juice will not harm the rubber, meaning you don’t have to worry about cracked or mushy tires after getting rid of the paint.
As well, avoid using the usual paint removal products such as paint thinner, because they’re very harsh when used on rubber. Instead, consult the below method:
How To Remove Regular Paint From Tires:
- Spray a hose on the tire to remove any buildup or dirt, mud, etc. and make sure your tire is wet enough for the process to work.
- Get a brush with strong nylon bristles and use it to scrub the area with paint in order to loosen its particles.
- Sprinkle baking soda on top of the paint and add lemon juice afterward
- After covering the entire affected area, use a scrub to work the lemon and baking soda into the paint.
- Eventually, you’ll notice the paint beginning to chip and you need to continue this process, and continue to add baking soda and lemon as is needed.
- When all the paint has chipped and loosened enough, grab the hose and rinse the tire.
This process should get most tires clean, but if it doesn’t, apply vegetable oil generously over the tires using a spray bottle.
Afterward, leave the tires for between 2 and 4 hours so the vegetable oil can break down the paint, then drench the tire in water and scrub.
This method also applies to new and fresh paint, but make sure that you work in an open space to avoid both the paint fumes and the toxic vapors that come off new tires.
How Do You Remove Fresh Paint From Rubber?
If the paint on your tires is still fresh, the most effective method to remove the paint is with rubbing alcohol and a cloth (the above-mentioned method can also be used for fresh paint).
To utilize this method, pour a generous amount of rubbing alcohol onto the piece of cloth and wipe the cloth over the tires.
As with all forms of fresh paint, make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside or with the garage door open to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.
Additionally, both rubbing alcohol and the above-mentioned process using baking soda can be used for removing overspray from tires.
To learn more, you can also read our related articles on why do new tires smell, if you can paint tires, and where can you dispose of your tires for free.
Conclusion
You can get paint off tires through a cleaning procedure using baking soda, lemon juice and vegetable oil. As well, you can remove fresh paint by using rubbing alcohol.
Additionally, for road paint, you can use bug and tar remover to lift the paint from your tires.