Classic & Vintage - removing obnoxious logos from tires

Any suggestions?

I have a set of Continental Gatorskins that would look fine on my vintage bike - except for a 6-inch-long, bright yellow GATORSKIN billboard ad on each tire.

I don't think a felt-tip marker would do an acceptable job. Sandpaper? Solvent?

photoshop it.
yeah, i know what you mean, and there aren't any great solutiins. sandpaper is probably out for obvious reasons. i've used a black markr before, but it doesn't last longer than a week or two... then it starts to look worse than before. if the logo is really getting under your skin, maybe try a thin line of testors paint. however, i would probably grin and bear it, and ride them hard until they wore out... or just keep them as a backup or for trade. i'm sure someone on the forum would like them...

best ive found

http://www.75chromeshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_56_128

But which solvent? Must be one that's rubber friendly. I know kerosene is safe for rubber seals. But no clue if it'll work. See if you can rub it off with abrasive.

Yellow handlebar tape to match the logo!?

I don't think I'd mess with removing the logo's as they're cast (right term?) into
the tire as part of manufacturing. I'd probably go with the black marker linked to above.
I did remove the print on one tire when it was rubbing chainstay, left a large white area
that looks worse than the logo...

i found on my one set of tires when i ride gravel a lot the logo is slowly going away but i normaly go with the paint marker. wish i still had old tire paint that was the best but is not cheap.

"...that showtruck look." :lol:

Would rubbing it with an eraser work?

Solvent? I think not.

Turn them inside out.:)

You didn't say, but mentioned magic Marker. Are they black wall? If so, I just did this, to a set of Paselas with mis-matched labels the online store sent me. Turned out pretty good. If they're black, I've got the solution. If not, no idea what to do.

When using the tires for their intended purpose, do you really notice the labels ? I mean when you dial it up to 11 or 500 watts can you really see them ? :)

I would be tempted to try vinyl paint which is sometimes referred to as vinyl dye.
SEM is a common auto application brand.
Before you go masking though, I would clean the area with denatured alcohol and or M.E.K. Following all the reasonable safety precautions.

Turn them inside out.

Or upside down? Personally, I like the idea of the black tire marker. Think about - it a specific product for painting tires. That's gotta be worth a try and I, for one, will give it a try. Good idea.

Unfortunately the sidewalls are brown, not black, and have a bit of a mesh pattern visible, so a black marker wouldn't look good. I just looked at these with a magnifier and found that the logo is actually cracked and flaking; I was able to pick off bits of it with a small sharp tool. Removing the entire thing on both tires would take a long time; but maybe a combination of a mild solvent and nylon brush could do it.

I really hate logos, on anything. I once found a bike bag that was exactly what I wanted (for a recumbent) except that it was totally trashed with a huge, loud, embroidered logo. I emailed the company saying I'd have bought it except for the logo. And got a reply from the owner who said he knew exactly how I felt, that he didn't like logos either and had been conflicted about the design - and he offered to get one made for me without the logo! I accepted the offer and have used that bag for years.

Conti is going to make you a custom tire with no logo? Well, I'd say you're problem is solved. Get two while you're at it.:>

See the way I justify it to myself is that having those logos is yet another indicator to people that I'm serious about my bike.

Lol sorry I am tired and feeling like a smart ars

Sand it off and replace the rubber with Tire Life latex emulsion?

I empathize with you on this, but if you want to use quality tires made in the last decade or so, you'll probably have to put up with the logos. The Gatorskins are good enough to make the sacrifice worth it.

Having said that, I've got a Gatorskin from a previous production run that has a more subdued logo. Checking around your local bike shops might reveal some older stock with this logo.

I've got a similar problem - try to find tires that won't clash with my new-to-me Centurion "Miami Vice" Ironman that'll be here next week.

ETA: You might want to check here (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/search/training-recreation-road-tires). They show the tires with logos, so you can judge that way.

I use Wesley's Bleche-White whitewall cleaner (not while they're on the bike, mind you).
Get them wet.
Spray with the cleaner.
Let them sit a bit.
Scrub with toothbrush.
Removes the logos.

If the logo has "backing," that may show up.

I use Wesley's Bleche-White whitewall cleaner (not while they're on the bike, mind you).
Get them wet.
Spray with the cleaner.
Let them sit a bit.
Scrub with toothbrush.
Removes the logos.

If the logo has "backing," that may show up.

Really?! Robbie, you the man.

I'm going to try scrubbing them off today.

Really?! Robbie, you the man.
Works with Pro Races and Vittoria. Heck, with Kenda Koncepts, you barely need to scrub.

I use Wesley's Bleche-White whitewall cleaner (not while they're on the bike, mind you).
Get them wet.
Spray with the cleaner.
Let them sit a bit.
Scrub with toothbrush.
Removes the logos.

If the logo has "backing," that may show up.

So that's why your teeth are so white!


Works with Pro Races and Vittoria. Heck, with Kenda Koncepts, you barely need to scrub.Now you've got me eyeing the Pro Optimums on my Bianchi...

The sidewalls on the Gatorskins have a mesh of threads on the surface; hard scrubbing would damage those threads. With 'green' minieral spirits I succeeded in turning the screaming yellow logo into a smeary, illegible mud-colored mess. I am thinking of brown shoe polish or leather die, but I may just through these tires out, since they've annoyed me so much. Too bad because functionally they're good tires.

Would rubbing it with an eraser work?

no that just cleans it and makes it more annoying

So that's why your teeth are so white!
And my breath will clean the shower tiles.

I'll bet lacquer thinner would remove this ink, paint or whatever it is. Exactly how might that harm the tire? I think I'll try some lacquer thinner on an old tire and see what happens. I can't believe it's going to melt rubber.

I have had tires from Bontrager and Specialized where the logo came off when sprayed with WD-40. Spray and let it set for a minute. Then spray again and wipe with a cotton rag. It was unintentinal but those logo's are gone. Don't know if it will work on Conti's. Good Luck!

WD40 - no effect.
Nail polish remover - no effect.

Kiss 'em goodbye. I'm not looking at those stupid screaming logos any more.

PM sent.

Ride 'em until they wear out, then replace them with something more discrete:

http://www.compasscycle.com/images/Cerfblue.jpg

http://www.compasscycle.com/Tires.html

photoshop it.
yeah, i know what you mean, and there aren't any great solutiins. sandpaper is probably out for obvious reasons. i've used a black markr before, but it doesn't last longer than a week or two... then it starts to look worse than before. if the logo is really getting under your skin, maybe try a thin line of testors paint. however, i would probably grin and bear it, and ride them hard until they wore out... or just keep them as a backup or for trade. i'm sure someone on the forum would like them...

+1 , black marker didn't last long for me either so I have no solutions to removing the logos

Many my bikes have a clincher wheel set and a tubular wheelset.
The clinchers are solid black some have logos (http://www.prettyshady.com/2010/up/tyreb.JPG) so don't look 'vintage' but are trust worthy day in day out.

The tubulars look great (http://www.prettyshady.com/2010/up/tyrea.JPG), but I ride on them less. There are also two set's of NOS tubulars for when I get round to photographing some bikes this summer...

Just did this today for a cycle to be used in a tv pilot set in the turn of the century (last century).
The bike has grey glue-on 28” tires which are perfect, but they also have these long red logos.
Krylon primer sprayed on to plastic and then applied with a brush… the match is perfect.

Krylon primer sprayed on to plastic and then applied with a brush… the match is perfect.

Hmmm yes Krylon is tenacious stuff. I wonder if it eventually flake off.