How thick is the white layer of the letters on BF Goodrich

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by Cutlass, Aug 20, 2021.

  1. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    Man you got lucky. That bulletin Michelin put out about the brown letters said it was not a warranty-able issue. Then they do this? Good for you man. Mine are over a year old so they won't do the same for me. You know, my new tires they couldn't even get the blue dye off the letters when I first bought them. Never seen anything like it. You should be able to wash that stuff off with kitchen oap and a sponge. But this stuff wouldn't come off with hot soapy water and the stiffest bristle brush you've ever seen, or, denatured alcohol. It even fought lacquer thinner. I am starting to wonder if something in that blue dye is the actual culprit.
     
  2. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    the blue dye on the letters is a real bitch to remove according to the tireman I purchased my t/a tires. Years ago an sos would remove the dye in no time.
     
  3. TimR

    TimR Nutcase at large

    Been doing that for 25 years now works great so excellent advice but I usually go with 320 or 400, not as harsh. Little soap and water helps too. Really wish Uniroyal still made their Rallye GTS tires they were awesome…looked great, balanced out excellent seems most of the new 15” stuff is crappy quality….
     
  4. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    Mine just keep getting more yellow/brown. I don't like the RWL's matching the paint.
    Sent a letter to BFG but I don't expect them to do anything. Worth trying, I mentioned I attend a lot of shows and cruise nights and I get a lot of comments on my dirty RWL's.:rolleyes: Not good advertising for them.
    20220916_112138.jpg
     
    derek244 likes this.
  5. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    BFG's with white letters made from 2017 are great except for the absolute fact that the letters turn brown and ugly and never get truely white no matter what you do or hard hard you scrub. Quite annoying to get an off white at best. Most of us buy tires every 10 years or so, so it is disappointing. BFG has little reason to keep buyers of this tiny amount of tires sold happy though.
     
  6. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    Got a reply from customer service. Not sure how you can't call this issue not a defect.
    Last set of BFG's I am going to buy but not many choices in 14":(
    I asked them to recommend a dealer in the area I can visit.

    It is not brake dust or anything picked up from normal driving, it does not come off with any soap and water. Its a defect in the manufacturing process.

    We are sorry to hear you are having an appearance issue with your tires.
    The brownish color on the sidewall of your tires is not a defect.
    The source of this discoloration can be varied.
    One possibility is that the tires contain an anti-ozone agent in their rubber compounds to slow down the ill effects of exposure to ozone in the air.
    This anti-ozone ingredient will migrate to the surface of the rubber and leave the appearance of a brownish dust.
    The browning is the normal functioning of the anti-oxidants in the rubber that prevent ozone cracking. While it's not pretty to look at, it can likely be washed off and it is a sign that the compound is working to defend from ozone cracking.
    Other possibilities for discoloration can be simply dust that is picked up from normal driving or brake dust which is generated by the abrasion of the brake pads against the brake rotor.
    This latter condition is more prevalent when the brakes are new or have recently been relined.
    In all cases, we recommend that you continue to clean your tires with a mild soap and water.
    If the problem persists, then you would need to present the vehicle to an authorized tire dealer for inspection and have the dealer call us while you are there.
     
  7. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    Thier reply is rubbish. We know that it is a manfacturing defect. And so do they.
     
  8. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    When I parked the Riv last oct it had just come home from a show. Letters on all 4 tires were as white as possible and even in color. It sat in the shop for nearly a year. When she was finally running again and back out in the light the front 235/60's are still crispy white but the 295/50's in the back are flat out brown. The front tires are maybe 2 years older than the rears. Im going to burn the 50's bald then look into buying a set of Coopers.
     
  9. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    My letters were all cleaned when I posted here a while back. Moved and cars have been garaged, not driven much (house and property work...)

    Letters are yellowed/tan and dirty looking.
    Used 180 grit wrapped around small wood block, white as new in about 5 minutes.

    That will be my method from now on.

    Cooper Cobra's Radial GT.

    I do believe it is the anti oxident oozing and nothing to be done. Given it is happening to various manufacturer's tires.
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I never liked the white letter look. My solution was to mount the tires letters in and spray them with black paint.:)

    I am repeating myself from post#16.:D

    BroadwayCC5.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
    HeavensDevil likes this.
  11. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    I have to give BFG (Michelan) some credit. I turned my claim in and then went to a dealer and they (Michelan)will give me 50% off a new set of tires. These were almost 6 year old tires so I am happy with that. Had them installed today and they look much better. I really was not expecting them to do anything since the tires were that old but figured I would try anyway.
    Lets see if these turn brown.
    Before and after shot.
    1bfg.jpg 1abfg.jpeg
     
    chiefsb30, Brett Slater and srb like this.

Share This Page