Safe way to clean/detail tires?

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  • russr33
    • Feb 2026
    #1

    Safe way to clean/detail tires?

    So I picked up a '76 KZ900 a few weeks ago and the tires have decent tread but they look like crap. Obviously I won't be spraying any armor-all on them. My plan was to give them a good cleaning with soap/water or diluted Simple Green and soft brush but I am sure they will still be grey-ish.

    Anyone have a safe way to bring them back looking decent?
    Tags: None
    • Guest
      #2
      Originally posted by russr33
      So I picked up a '76 KZ900 a few weeks ago and the tires have decent tread but they look like crap. Obviously I won't be spraying any armor-all on them. My plan was to give them a good cleaning with soap/water or diluted Simple Green and soft brush but I am sure they will still be grey-ish.

      Anyone have a safe way to bring them back looking decent?
      Before you waste your time, what does the date code say on the tire. Just because it has decent tread on the tire doesn't mean they are safe to ride on.

        Comment

        • Vmass
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Apr 2011
          • 6100
          • Massachusetts
          #3
          I have used Back to Black on sidewalls with pretty good results.

            Comment

            • russr33
              #4
              Originally posted by Vmass
              I have used Back to Black on sidewalls with pretty good results.
              Yep Joe had said the same thing. I have some so will try it.

                Comment

                • Guest
                  #5
                  shoe polish

                    Comment

                    • Spiff
                      Forum Mentor
                      • Dec 2013
                      • 318
                      • Norway
                      #6
                      You can pretty much use any tire shine product as long as you ONLY do the sidewall and NEVER on the area which contacts the road...
                      But check you date codes before you start cleaning. Might not be usable even though they have good thread left.

                        Comment

                        • eil
                          Forum Sage
                          • Dec 2012
                          • 3062
                          • SE Michigan
                          #7
                          I've been told by people who work at tire shops that most of the spray-on tire-shine products will actually break down the rubber on the sidewalls.

                          Hmm. Hang on a sec... Just how much of a sidewall is there on most motorcycle tires anyway?

                          I would say if they can't be cleaned up with soap and water to your satisfaction then either deal with them or buy new ones.
                          Charles
                          --
                          1979 Suzuki GS850G

                          Read BassCliff's GSR Greeting and Mega-Welcome!

                            Comment

                            • trevor
                              Forum LongTimer
                              Past Site Supporter
                              • Oct 2011
                              • 18690
                              • Victoria bc
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Vmass
                              I have used Back to Black on sidewalls with pretty good results.
                              Never thought of that before until I saw this thread...

                              Results last night...
                              No signature :(

                                Comment

                                • Guest
                                  #9
                                  Mother's back to black?

                                    Comment

                                    • Rob S.
                                      Forum Guru
                                      Past Site Supporter
                                      • Dec 2013
                                      • 9407
                                      • New York City
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by trevor
                                      Never thought of that before until I saw this thread...

                                      Results last night...
                                      Great looking bike!

                                      (All it needs are pods, jets and the seat strap. )
                                      1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                                      2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                                        Comment

                                        • trevor
                                          Forum LongTimer
                                          Past Site Supporter
                                          • Oct 2011
                                          • 18690
                                          • Victoria bc
                                          #11
                                          Originally posted by Rob S.
                                          Great looking bike!

                                          (All it needs are pods, jets and the seat strap. )
                                          Thanks Rob...lol on the pods. Too much work. It has a stage one now. As for the strap, it was tearing apart so I ditched it. Going to have the seat recovered soon.
                                          No signature :(

                                            Comment

                                            • Guest
                                              #12
                                              Originally posted by Rob S.
                                              Great looking bike!

                                              (All it needs are pods, jets and the seat strap. )
                                              Um NO...looks great like it is.

                                                Comment

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