Trailer

[8-Ball]

Last year I had a flat pulling the boat. Did not realize it for a few miles. As a result, the flat tire left a lot of scuff/rub marks on the outside-yes outside, of the wheel-well. I have tried nail polish remover, Dow scrubbing bubbles, bleach w/water, etc. I cannot get the marks to come off. Just a cosmetic thing, but I want to get rid of all the black scuff marks. Any ideas out there for me? Thanks in advance...8-Ball.

[zepman]

I would try something with a citrus solvent in it. It will do a good job on the tire marks but watch contact time as to not damage paint or plastic.

[fish-n-geek]

Wow. The last time I had a flat on the trailer it shook so bad I thought my truck was going to fall apart.

What are the wheel wells? Metal? Plastic? Glass? I'd try a buffing wheel, but that might be too agressive if you're looking at glass or plastic.

-r-

[marine_man]

If it's a metal fender I'd try something a little more industrial like acetone... that'll usually get just about anything off painted metal... including the paint if you rub too hard... so be gentle!

marine_man

[Giant_Jackpot]

WD-40?

[Old School]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser™ works awsome on alot of stuff. I would give that a try.

[IFallsRon]

Gasoline.

[shouldbefishn]

I don't know about the outside scuff marks but if the tire is a radial there is a good chance it might be ruined internally if it was driven on that far. I would keep a close eye on it. If its a bias it will be fine.

[8-Ball]

Shouldbe- Oh yeah, the tire was ruined (it was shredded-main reason for my allegiance to radial trailer tires-I would have been cooked if they were bias-ply). It is a molded plastic wheelwell. Thanks IFalls, Old School, Jackpot, etc. I will give all those a shot.. Hope one of them does the trick! 8-Ball.

[icehousebob]

We use Simple Green cleaner full strength in our boiler room and it takes off old dry spots of #6 fuel oil, which is similar to asphalt. Give it a try.

[8-Ball]

IceHouse- Is that available at Target or Wal-mart type stores? I tried the WD-40 and straight gas.. it took a little of the scuffing off, but not much.

[jigginjerk]

I use Acrylic enamel reducer in the body shop. It removes just about any mark,(paint scuf marks,tar,rubber,undercoating), that isn't burned in on any surface. Just don't soak it to long. Put some on a rag wipe it on let it stand for 15 seconds and continue to wipe. If it is plastic it won't hurt it. Good luck!

[8-Ball]

JJ- Is the enamel stuff found at most Hardware stores? Thanks.

[Steve Bakken]

We've had good luck using an extra-cut rubbing compound. Try it by hand first before you go at it with a machine buffer. The abrasives in this will get down into the pores and remove the forein materials without softening the plastic like solvents have a tendency to do.

[8-Ball]

IceHouse- I tried the simple green- it did not do the trick. Anybody know where I can get the acrylic enamel reducer JJ talked of?

[danfall]

oil rots rubber

[jigginjerk]

8 stop at a body shop with a small jar they will probably give you a small amount. It won't take much.

[EyesnSchnapps]

8-Ball,

If the molded plastic wheel well is white in color, try using some Clorox SoftScrub and an S.O.S or Brillo pad, it worked on mine. Don't use this method if the plastic is colored, as the bleach in the Soft Scrub may effect the coloring. Good Luck.

[Dave]

8-Ball, when you find a solution, post it here for me to try Same problem, same marks on white plastic fender.

[8-Ball]

Thanks JJ and Eyes- I will give one or both of those a shot this week sometime. Dave- will post my hopefully successfull results! 8-Ball.

[Farley]

can't you just paint it?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I vote for painting it! 20 minutes and it looks brand new!

I think its either Krylon or Rustoleum that makes a plastic specific paint. I've seen it at all the big home improvement stores. I know that regular Krylon contains "MIK" and "MEK" (metho-iso-ketones and metho-etho-ketones) both of wich help it to stick to vinyl but not shure about other plastics.

[8-Ball]

Think I will try the Clorox idea. If that don't work, the spray paint idea is intriguing... Will post results later this week!