Plasti Dip is an easy-to-apply rubber coating that can be easily removed. Applying it to your car is the easiest way to have an automotive makeover. It cures in a few minutes and protects against moisture, corrosion, abrasion, and can withstand different weather conditions. You can also apply multiple coats to achieve the desired effect.
Lots of car lovers choose to customize their cars by applying different shades of Plasti Dip to the rims. But what if you accidentally get it on the tires? The basic process of cleaning tire rims is not good for this case.
Luckily, there are several easy methods that you can follow if you want to know how to remove Plasti Dip from tires. Interested? Keep on reading to learn more.
The Short Answer
If you want to remove Plasti Dip from the tires, you can either use your fingernails to scratch it and peel it off, or you can apply WD-40. Removing Plasti Dip from the rims is also easy, as you can use kerosene or an adhesive remover. Be careful not to get these chemicals on your rubber tires because they will damage them.
How to Remove Plasti Dip from Tires
There are several reasons why you might want to remove Plasti Dip from your tires. You might have accidentally got it on a part, or you might be reconsidering your makeover design. The good news is that getting rid of Plasti Dip is an easy task that won’t take a lot of time. The materials used can be found in your home garage and won’t damage the tires in the long run.
Using your Fingers and Nails
Surprisingly, you can try to remove Plasti Dip using no tools. All you have to do is use your nails and peel it off.
This method works best if you have only some tiny spots that accidentally ruined the look of your tires. Your fingernails aren’t sharp enough to ruin the tires, so there will be no issues. After you have removed most of the Plasti Dip, you can use a pressure washer to clean the tires and make sure that they’re clean.
Using WD-40
You probably know that WD-40 can be used for lubrication, removing rust from tire rims, and making leather surfaces smooth. But this versatile solution can also be used to get rid of the Plasti Dip on your tires. WD-40 is safe and won’t damage the rubber.
What You’ll Need:
- A can of WD-40
- Pressure washer
- Cleaning cloth
Steps:
- Start by removing the tires. Applying WD-40 while they’re still intact can damage the brake pad.
- Apply a layer of WD-40 and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Use a pressure washer to remove most of the Plasti Dip.
- Use a cleaning cloth to target the smallest stains that weren’t removed.
How to Remove Plasti Dip from Rims
If you’re thinking about giving your car a new makeover, you’ll be interested in learning how to remove old Plasti Dip from the rims. There are actually several methods that work, but you should be careful not to touch the rubber tires themselves.
Using Kerosene
This method is cost-efficient, and the results are guaranteed. Some people are put off by the smell of kerosene, but if you’re not one of them, then this method will definitely work for you. It’s important to wear work gloves to protect your hands.
Use this method if you want to remove Plasti Dip from the paint. You shouldn’t apply the kerosene directly on the rubber tires because kerosene will dissolve the rubber.
What You’ll Need:
- Thick rubber or work gloves
- Kerosene
- Toothbrush
- Wooden stick
- Soft sponge
- Pressure washer
- Soapy water in a bucket
Steps:
- Put on your work gloves.
- Start by removing the tires.
- Fill a jar with kerosene and dip your toothbrush in it.
- Target the small paint stains and start rubbing them vigorously to loosen the Plasti Dip particles. Avoid getting the kerosene on the rubber tires themselves and stick to cleaning the rims.
- Let the kerosene sit for a few minutes.
- Use the wooden stick to loosen the Plasti Dip. A wooden stick will be gentle on the rims and won’t scratch them.
- Clean the rims using the pressure washer.
- Scrub them with a soft sponge to make sure that all the smallest stains are removed.
- Wash the tires with soapy water.
Using an Adhesive Remover
There are several products on the market that are specifically designed to remove rubber coatings. These organic solvents contain special chemicals that dissolve Plasti Dip without affecting the rims.
However, you should be careful while using adhesive removers because they will also affect the tires. You should also wear a face mask and rubber or work gloves. Although these chemicals aren’t toxic, it’s best to protect yourself from inhaling the chemical fumes and keep your hand safe while working with these potent chemicals.
What You’ll Need:
- Face mask
- Rubber or work gloves
- Newspaper sheets
- Adhesive remover
- Wooden stick
- Soapy water in a bucket
Steps:
- Remove the tires from the car.
- Cover the tires with newspaper sheets to protect them.
- Wear your face mask and rubber gloves.
- Apply the adhesive remover and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Use a wooden stick to remove the stuck Plasti Dip.
- Remove the newspaper sheets and rinse the rims with soapy water.
Cautious: if you have white letters on your car tires, be careful! some substances are not recommended to be used for cleaning white lettering tires since they can completely remove paint from wheels. Such substances mainly are for cleaning brakes without taking a wheel off, or may be used getting rid of tire marks on a driveway.
You might also be interested in our blog: How to Remove Tar from Tire Thread
Bottom Line
Using Plasti Dip is an excellent way of giving your car a quick makeover. But if you’re thinking about changing its look or it has accidentally got on your tires, you can still remove it easily. Make sure that you’re using an appropriate method to keep your tires in excellent condition