How to recreate blue for RWL tires
 

I recently finished restoring my original G70-14 Polyglas spare tire for my Olds. The tire came out looking as mint as a 50 year old tire possibly could. How can I "recreate" the blue that went over the raised white letters? Does anyone know what the tire manufacturers use? I know...strange request. Thanks in advance.

Dish soap and blue chalk powder used in a chalk line looked pretty good.

Interesting. I'll check that out. Is that how they do it at the tire plants?

I seriously doubt that's how they do it.
But I think the reason why they do it is to not have the black side of a tire discolor the RWL's when stacking tires.

Anyways, it is what I came up with years ago to do what you are doing now and it came out pretty close, But I'm sure there are many other ways to achieve the same thing. I was mostly concerned with being able to remove the blue easily and without discoloring the RWL's.

White sidewalls also had the blue protecting them. Maybe a blue food coloring would also work. For sure the covering was just a soap based product. I found that when I installed new tires not to use anything other than water and a brush to remove it. Using any type of cleaner left tiny black dots on the white.

Tire mounting lubricant. if you can still find any in blue, sometimes works. Slobber it over the lettering and let it dry.

Great eye for detail! I never would have thought of that.

Tim

That is a good one. Hello spare tires... here I come.

I was reading on another forum about the bluing used on WSW, RWL tires. Someone who actually worked in a tire manufacturing plant said it was a a polyvinyl alcohol solution tinted blue. Amazon sells the tint:

https://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Cre.../dp/B07JM4SPFY

Polyvinyl alcohol 1.4% is an eyedrop / eye lubricant used in visine and other brands

I was going to say to use water soluble spray booth coating and add blue food coloring. I've got some at the shop and I have some blue food coloring... I will report back.

Jimmy
I experimented with this a few years ago. I used blue food colouring and Dawn blue dish soap. I used a sponge to brush it across the lettering with good results.
I also called, Kelsey who said their tires came from the plant that way and did not know the source.
I also called Black Diamond who do their own whitewall applications. They said they buy the ‘soap’ in 5 gallon pails from a supplier in upstate NY. I got the name and contacted them but never got a response.
It’s not rocket surgery. Today I cleaned up s set of Eagle ST radials with SOS pads and noticed their blue soap will dry quickly in the sun and leave a blue residue.

Thanks, Paul. I need to give you a call this week and get your opinion on something, btw.

I am good anytime tomorrow.

booth coating with blue food coloring works well... I will get some photos tomorrow...