Is Spray Painting White Wall Wheels Black A Stupid Idea?

[MichaelPawelek]

The 1925 Coupe I bought last month finally arrives this week. A previous owner during a complete ground up rebuild decided he wanted to make the ‘25 a ‘26 and painted it Maroon and added wire wheels with white wall tires. I hate the white wall tire look and would like to change to black wall tires.

If I mounted the tires with the white side to the inside and before mounting spray painted the white to a dull black would the paint stick to the tire compound or is this a really stupid idea? Fire away…I’ve had my coffee this morning!

[Henry K. Lee]

Find some Kiwi brand sole and heel dressing with an applicator normally will last longer than paint. Takes a few coats. Clean well with purple power or something to the likes there of.

Hank the Honest Used Car Salesman!

[perry kete]

Tire paint is available at auto stoes and on line. Google tire paint and you will see Duplacolor and other mfg. who sell paint made just for tires in spray or liquid pints.

[Humblej]

Yes it will work. I would use a brush-on tire dressing.

[Henry K. Lee]

Definitely if it is still available, brush on of course!

[Dan_Jensen]

The old tractor guys like this stuff from Miller Tire. Some tractor tires are very expensive for a show tractor. https://www.millertire.com/products/tir ... ire-paint/

[Art M]

beautiful looking car. You can be proud it. My father didn't like white wall tires and always had them turned around.
I know others who want to paint their tires white.
Art Mirtes

[TXGOAT2]

I'd prefer blackwall tires and black wheels on that car.

[TRDxB2]

I have used Duplicolor and other lettering tire paint and it eventually flaked off. I would take the tires off the rims and paint them with whatever, then remount them with the former white wall towards the inside to hide the modification. As always, personalizing a car is the owners privilege.

[John Codman]

The previous owner of my '27 bought a brand-new set of Firestone (I believe they really are Firestones) white wall tires. He mounted them and then died before he ever drove the T. Since they were brand new I kept them, but I too hate the look. I'm not wishing them away, but when it's time, I will replace them with black tires.

[Ron Mac]

I saw that car for sale at the Long Beach Model T swap meet in July. Great car with some really nice options and accessories. Congratulations on the purchase.

Normally, I do not like white walls on Model Ts or As, but, for some reason, I like them on your car.

Enjoy your new Model T, its a good one.

[MichaelPawelek]

Yes, Appears to be a pretty good older restoration but I cannot figure out what type of modern speedometer was installed. Might be a S.S. White. Will know for sure soon and maybe look for something more period….

[Dropacent]

Since you are willing to take them off and turn them around, perhaps offer them at a discount. They look in nice condition. Get a new set for your car and be done with them. You would be good go without any coverup, and someone wanting some whitewalls would be happy, too. JMHO from a distance

[tdump]

WOW,you were lucky enough to get a set of white walls and don't want them? I am sure someone would be glad to trade tires!

[Ron Mac]

I agree with Dropacent. If you want blackwalls, take these off and resell them. New, blackwall 21" tires are still relatively cheap-the Universal brand which I really like are about 125.00 each. Plus, you will have the satisfaction of knowing your car has new tires which will likely outlast your ownership of the car. You will probably recoup a good portion of the cost when you sell the whitewalls if they still have decent tread. This car is a real nice restoration and doesn't deserve "repainted" tires.

[ModelTWoods]

WOW,you were lucky enough to get a set of white walls and don't want them? I am sure someone would be glad to trade tires!

Michael, if you haven't made a decision and if you haven't ruined them with paint. I'll trade you brand new, never mounted 21" Firestone blackwalls for your whitewalls.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Sounds like the perfect solution!
A new T, new blackwalls, someone else gets nearly new whitewalls at a discount. Both live in Texas (hopefully not too far apart?).

For whatever it is worth, I have spray can painted black enamel over used whitewalls, and it worked fine. But I still like the trading idea better.

[ModelTWoods]

Sounds like the perfect solution!
A new T, new blackwalls, someone else gets nearly new whitewalls at a discount. Both live in Texas (hopefully not too far apart?).

For whatever it is worth, I have spray can painted black enamel over used whitewalls, and it worked fine. But I still like the trading idea better.

Michael and I lived (up until May 2018) less than 5 miles from each other and have visited each other many times. One of my T's is still in storage less than 5 miles from him. I have no current plans to put Whitewalls on anything, but I am overstocked with blackwalls.

[Dropacent]

That’s a home run solution!

[MichaelPawelek]

Terry, Once I get the Coupe here, change all the fluids and see what might need to be done, I’ll contact you depending on what Marilyn, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter say. I might be out voted!

[TXGOAT2]

A trade seems like an ideal solution to me. Short of that, there's always Flex-Seal.... just spray it on, and your T will run on water just like an expensive ski boat!

[ModelTWoods]

Terry, Once I get the Coupe here, change all the fluids and see what might need to be done, I’ll contact you depending on what Marilyn, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter say. I might be out voted!

Michael, I understand the wishes of others. Fortunately (or perhaps, unfortunately) Linda could care less what I do with my Model T's, so I don't have to worry about getting out voted.