[olredalert]

-----Mike,,,I have found that the film you talk about is a form of wax. Probably used so that the tire will pop out of the mold or something. I have been using a heat gun and towl on my sidewalls for years. Once the temperature is high enough to liquify the wax I just rub it off with a clean towel. The wax tends to leach right out thru the rubber. You will see the tire actually get really shiny as the wax turns to liquid. At no time is the rubber hot enough to damage the integrity of the tire. Try it as once the wax is gone you will have a gorgeous tire........Bill S