Bicycle Mechanics - Method/chemical for removing graphicsfrom tires?

What: those graphics/texts on the tire sidewalls.
Why: because I have a beater with good quality tires - so I want to remove the make and model and anything else that would make it seem that the tires are valuable.
How: I tried alcohol and mineral spirits (used to thin oil paint and lacquer). Didn't work at all. Sanding works, but that would weaken the sidewall.

How about a latex satin paint? Just cover it up. Might cheapen the look too.

How about a latex satin paint? Just cover it up. Might cheapen the look too.

I need something more permanent, I'm afraid. That will go off in no time.

Not sure how well it would work, but I use a product called Treekote to dress tree wounds from deer, and whenever I prune my trees. Lasts forever on the trees, and they are outside exposed to weather, so it might work on a bike tire.

Not sure how well it would work, but I use a product called Treekote to dress tree wounds from deer, and whenever I prune my trees. Lasts forever on the trees, and they are outside exposed to weather, so it might work on a bike tire.

Yeah, that might work well. Stays on like roofing tar, but isn't sticky once dry.

SHARPIE!
http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Product/Sharpie_King_Size_Permanent_Marker.html

I am still hoping for a thinner/solvant that would do the trick. Maybe I should try nail polish remover.

Step back from the nail polish remover--it relies on acetone, a very strong solvent, to cut thru nail polish. I would think it would have a real bad effect on rubber!

Have you tried a blow drier with a scraper? Also, you might try dragging a razor blade across it, and a 90-degree angle to scrape. Scuffing the rubber a little won't hurt the tire at all.

I've worn them off my tires by cleaning them with a scrub brush. Or maybe it was when cleaning the braking surface with a Scotch Brite pad.

In other words, elbow grease.

What: those graphics/texts on the tire sidewalls.
Why: because I have a beater with good quality tires - so I want to remove the make and model and anything else that would make it seem that the tires are valuable.
How: I tried alcohol and mineral spirits (used to thin oil paint and lacquer). Didn't work at all. Sanding works, but that would weaken the sidewall.
Do you really think someone, in Helsinki of all places, would really try and steal your tires? It sounds to me like you are looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Do you really think someone, in Helsinki of all places, would really try and steal your tires? It sounds to me like you are looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
+1

I think one of the lowest items on the list for theft targets are beater bikes with nice tires...

However, if it is really an issue where you park the bike, I don't think that you need to obliterate the logo completely, just scuff them up to make them look old and abused... Perhaps the sandpaper idea done in moderation. Your tires shouldn't be significantly weaker than the first time you scrape them against a rock or other object while riding.

For sidewalls, sandpaper.

For the decals on wheels: Goo Gone or Goof Off. Both are designed to dissolve the adhesive used for labels. They will also eat your rubber so don't get them on the tire. I prefer the gel version since it's easier to control. For labels that are still on the bike, you will have to soak them for a while so the stuff can get in underneath. Again, the gel form doesn't dry so quickly.

Buy cheap/ugly tires?

I agree with people who recommend friction, not chemical, options. Sandpaper should work. A Dremel Rotary Tool should work.

The problem with the chemicals is that you'll never know what's doing what to your tires. Hate to foil the thief, but then cause yourself a sidewall blow-out in the process.

Give 'em Helsinki!

I need something more permanent, I'm afraid. That will go off in no time.

It will last a while. I sprayed orange Krylon on a set of tires to improve visibility and some half of the paint was still on them when I threw the tires out several thousand miles later. Spray the whole tire, not just the lable area. Darker colors will be better at hiding lables.

Do you really think someone, in Helsinki of all places, would really try and steal your tires? It sounds to me like you are looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.



+1

I think one of the lowest items on the list for theft targets are beater bikes with nice tires...

Sorry, but you are both wrong. A friend of mine had a horrible piece of crap stolen - because he had brand new Nokian Hakkapelitta studded 700C tires on it.

Try rubberized grip paint.

Like This (http://www.cornerhardware.com/plastidip_black_12_oz./6741_6850_7163/16048?zenid=e4a97582faf4bbd0e9e3ef4251afe6ec)

I agree with people who recommend friction, not chemical, options. Sandpaper should work. A Dremel Rotary Tool should work.


OK. I didn't like where this thread was going when I read "elbow grease" :D

Oh well.... At least I have to do it seldom, unlike with carrots, which I have to peel rather often (I hate peeling carrots).

Now that I think a bit more about it ... are the graphics raised??

If not, then I probably would NOT sand them. I was assuming raised, and that you could sand them toward flush. If they're already flush, then I agree: you'd weaken the sidewall, making some sort of paint a likely better option.

My $0.02.

PS: I normally have to peel a carrot only once. After that, it's peeled :D

It will last a while. I sprayed orange Krylon on a set of tires to improve visibility and some half of the paint was still on them when I threw the tires out several thousand miles later. Spray the whole tire, not just the lable area. Darker colors will be better at hiding lables.

I think that's good info.

If the Krylon didn't hurt the sidewalls ... that's good enough for me.

Now that I think a bit more about it ... are the graphics raised??

If not, then I probably would NOT sand them. I was assuming raised, and that you could sand them toward flush. If they're already flush, then I agree: you'd weaken the sidewall, making some sort of paint a likely better option.

My $0.02.

PS: I normally have to peel a carrot only once. After that, it's peeled :D

Yeah, well, somewhere between flush and raised. I think it's safe to sand them off.

PS: I corrected my post, you wisea$$ ;)

Sorry, but you are both wrong. A friend of mine had a horrible piece of crap stolen - because he had brand new Nokian Hakkapelitta studded 700C tires on it.
You mean they stole the whole bike, not just the tires. A decent lock, which you should use anyway, solves that problem.

You mean they stole the whole bike, not just the tires. A decent lock, which you should use anyway, solves that problem.

Wrong again. I don't know of any lock that would survive a 5-second "intervention". All my locks are decent in the sense that none can be defeated with a pen.

ALL of my locks can be defeated with these. (http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/picks/)

Also, probably all of yours, too.

Wrong again. I don't know of any lock that would survive a 5-second "intervention". All my locks are decent in the sense that none can be defeated with a pen.

ALL of my locks can be defeated with these. (http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/picks/)

Also, probably all of yours, too.
People with those tools and the skills to use them don't go around stealing tires off of bikes. Or even whole bikes for that matter. :rolleyes: They have a lot more expensive things to steal. But if you want to live in a paranoid fantasy world no one can stop you.

BTW, Putting chemicals on or sanding down the sidewalls of your tires might weaken them, increasing the risk of a sidewall blowout and a nasty crash.

People with those tools and the skills to use them don't go around stealing tires off of bikes. Or even whole bikes for that matter. :rolleyes: They have a lot more expensive things to steal. But if you want to live in a paranoid fantasy world no one can stop you.


The problem with your post is that it's dangerously stupid. The tools I linked at are moderately priced, but you can buy a 5-piece lock pick set for as little as $12.95 (finding that product on the intarnetz is left as an excercise to the reader). In fact, you can very easily make an effective lock-picking tool for no money at all. Search the net for "bumping locks".

http://youtube.com/results?search_query=bumping+locks&search=Search

See the method that will, most probably, be used to defeat one of your lock next time. A kid that DOESN'T understand the inner workings of a pin tumbler lock, can use it.

The problem with your post is that it's dangerously stupid. The tools I linked at are moderately priced, but you can buy a 5-piece lock pick set for as little as $12.95 (finding that product on the intarnetz is left as an excercise to the reader). In fact, you can very easily make an effective lock-picking tool for no money at all. Search the net for "bumping locks".

http://youtube.com/results?search_query=bumping+locks&search=Search

See the method that will, most probably, be used to defeat one of your lock next time. A kid that DOESN'T understand the inner workings of a pin tumbler lock, can use it.
Okay kido, how about showing me ONE documented case of a bike being stolen by a lock which has been picked? It just doesn't happen. In over 20 years of riding hi-end bikes on three continents and locking up daily in city centers I have yet to lose a bike, or hear of one, that has been lost due to a lock being picked. It just doesn't happen.

I've seen and read about 'bumping' locks; bumping doesn't work with the newer style of lock used by Abus, Kryptonite, and OnGuard.

If you are really so worried about your tires being stolen by a highly skilled locksmith maybe you should leave the bike at home and walk.

Okay kido, how about showing me ONE documented case of a bike being stolen by a lock which has been picked? It just doesn't happen. In over 20 years of riding hi-end bikes on three continents and locking up daily in city centers I have yet to lose a bike, or hear of one, that has been lost due to a lock being picked. It just doesn't happen.

I've seen and read about 'bumping' locks; bumping doesn't work with the newer style of lock used by Abus, Kryptonite, and OnGuard.

If you are really so worried about your tires being stolen by a highly skilled locksmith maybe you should leave the bike at home and walk.

I apologize. I totally took the trollbait.

Next time someone, instead of actually answering a question starts derailing the discussion I'll just stfu. You really made me eat humble pie this time. It won't happen again.

For the rest of you: thanks for the various suggestions. I'll report back on what worked and how.

I apologize. I totally took the trollbait.

Next time someone, instead of actually answering a question starts derailing the discussion I'll just stfu. You really made me eat humble pie this time. It won't happen again.

For the rest of you: thanks for the various suggestions. I'll report back on what worked and how.
It's not about being a troll, it's about the reality of the situation. You are looking for a solution to a problem which doesn't exist, and are willing to risk your safety to find a solution to this "problem". It all seems rather silly to me.

wroomwroomoops: Just curious how you know the reason a thief took your friend's bike? Did they leave a note?

Bike thieves will snatch just about anything given the chance. I'd say it's more likely that your friend just left his bike in the wrong place at the wrong time, with an inadequate lock, and someone saw an opportunity. I doubt it was the tires that did it.

If you do want to obscure the logos, though, i'd say a black permanent marker like a Sharpie would be your best bet. I just de-logoed some cheap Nashbar tires so nobody will know that i'm a skinflint and buy generic tires from a discount mail order shop. ;)

wroomwroomoops: Just curious how you know the reason a thief took your friend's bike?

Are you really?



Did they leave a note?

Bike thieves will snatch just about anything given the chance. I'd say it's more likely that your friend just left his bike in the wrong place at the wrong time, with an inadequate lock, and someone saw an opportunity. I doubt it was the tires that did it.

Looks like you already made your mind up, so your previous question wasn't a question at all, and you have it all "figured it out" in advance. So, not really curious after all - it was just a rhetorical question, disguised a bit better with a "I'm just curious".

I'll answer anyway: I know where he's been leaving this bike, and he's been doing that for years. Same bike, same place, same amount of time, same lock. Then, he decides to buy Nokian Hakkapelitta studded tires, leaves the bike in that same place as usual. He used the bike 11 times with the new tires, before it was gone; one workweek + 1 morning ride. The way back he had totake the bus.

It could be coincidence, but it's ridicolously unlikely.

One more thing: old rusted heavy beaters like his can be had for nearly 0 money in Finland. Some people will be happy to give them away. Definitely the only resellable item on that bike were the tires.

Hrm, so is the graphics a stubborn type paint? I would recommend not using acetone. I use acetone in the lab, and it even seeps through my rubber gloves, leaving my hands all funny feeling :).

I would recommend something like heptane or cyclohexane. Heptane is my personal favourite for taking paint off of stuff. You can probably get it from a chemical supply company or something like that. But if you do decide to use it, please read the MSDS sheet for safe handling.

Are you really?



Looks like you already made your mind up, so your previous question wasn't a question at all, and you have it all "figured it out" in advance. So, not really curious after all - it was just a rhetorical question, disguised a bit better with a "I'm just curious".

I'll answer anyway: I know where he's been leaving this bike, and he's been doing that for years. Same bike, same place, same amount of time, same lock. Then, he decides to buy Nokian Hakkapelitta studded tires, leaves the bike in that same place as usual. He used the bike 11 times with the new tires, before it was gone; one workweek + 1 morning ride. The way back he had totake the bus.

It could be coincidence, but it's ridicolously unlikely.

One more thing: old rusted heavy beaters like his can be had for nearly 0 money in Finland. Some people will be happy to give them away. Definitely the only resellable item on that bike were the tires.
What kind of lock was used with to secure his old beater with expensive tires? I bet it wasn't a very good one.

1. AFAIK, the rubber doesn't hold the tube in - that's taken care of by the carcass weave.
2. Using a fine sand paper to gently remove the paint shouldn't adversely affect the rubber at all. The amount shaved off would be tiny.
3. A good u-lock keeps your bike safe no matter what tyres you put on it.

I used a bit of 00 Steel wool and some wd40, it worked great.

Hrm, so is the graphics a stubborn type paint? I would recommend not using acetone. I use acetone in the lab, and it even seeps through my rubber gloves, leaving my hands all funny feeling :).

I would recommend something like heptane or cyclohexane. Heptane is my personal favourite for taking paint off of stuff. You can probably get it from a chemical supply company or something like that. But if you do decide to use it, please read the MSDS sheet for safe handling.

Hey, I live in mama-Finland. They don't let kids (citizens) play with dangerous or complicated or odd chemicals. Seriously. Only if you are registered as a company, can you buy chemicals. In fact, then you can buy anything in any amount. As a regular citizen, you're less than crap*, here, and the best I can get would be propilalcohol. Going into a pharmacy and asking for cyclohexane would make for an eccellent candid camera" moment.

* In fact, until recently, citizens couldn't even register their own .fi domains! Now how ******** is THAT?!

So, I tried to use really thin sandpaper, got tired with that and tried abrasive eraser, got tired with that, too, and then just took a marker and went over the graphics with it.

To my astonished surprise, it seems to hold, after 4 days of riding.