How To Get Tire Marks off a Car: Easy Ways for Every DIYer

“How to get tire marks off a car” is one thing many DIY enthusiasts want to know. First, clean the car thoroughly with soap and water to remove dirt and grime, apply WD-40 and rub the marks using a sponge or soft-bristled brush, rinse with water and dry the surface with a microfiber cloth and finally, wax it to restore the shine.

Please find the details in our step-by-step guide below. After that, we will tell you how to prevent the marks from forming on your car surface, which you don’t want to miss.

How To Clear Tire Marks From Your Car’s Surface?

To clear tire marks from your car’s surface, wash the vehicle thoroughly with soap and water. Next, apply WD-40 and use a sponge to scrub the marks. If they are still visible, use a magic eraser, then wax the surface to restore its original shine.

Tire marks can be so annoying, especially on a white car. They are unsightly and will often ruin your beautiful car’s paint. But how do the marks form?

There are many causes of those black rubber marks. These include driving over potholes and curbs or driving with improperly inflated tires. Also, when the car tires come into contact with raised surfaces, the tires may skid or slide, leaving scuffs on the car’s body.

Aggressive driving (such as sharp turns at high speed and sudden stops) is another notorious cause of tire mark formation. Driving at high seed also makes the tires generate a lot of heat, contributing significantly to the formation of skid marks.

– Collect the Correct Tools

Removing the marks requires a lot of care because a slight mistake can cause further damage to your vehicle’s paint job. So, we now take you through our detailed guide on how to remove rubber scuff marks from cars.

You’ll need the following tools:

• Clean water and car wash soap
• Gloves
• Pressure washer (not necessary but recommended)
• Clean microfiber cloth (lint-free cloth) or soft-bristle brush
• A can of multi-purpose WD-40
• Clay bar or magic eraser
• Any household cleaning products e.g., rubbing alcohol or goo gone (adhesive remover)
• A suitable car wax with wax pad and soft brush for detailing

– Wash Your Car Thoroughly

The first step to learning how to get tire marks off of car paint effectively is to clean the car thoroughly using mild soap (car wash soap) and a water mixture. Grab a clean sponge or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the dirt and grime off the car surface. If you have a power washer, use the high-pressure water instead.

Once the car is clean, apply soap on the sponge and rub the marks off. Use straight-single direction motion to reduce the risk of damaging the paint.

Remove any soap residue on the surface using a microfiber towel.

– Apply Some WD-40

It’s time to go a notch higher. The marks won’t come out using step one above. One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Does WD-40 remove tire marks?” The short answer is yes. The product is popular for its ability to extract tough stains and marks, including rubber marks.

So, spray a reasonable amount of WD-40 on the surface and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. That will allow it to break down the stubborn marks. After enough sitting, use a sponge or lint-free cloth to scrub. You should apply a little force to get rid of the marks.

Once the marks clear, rinse the area with water to remove all the WD-40 residue. Dry the surface with a clean microfiber towel. You can repeat this step two if necessary.

– Use Clay Bar or Magic Eraser

If the marks are still visible, try one of these products, which you’ll find at any auto parts store or supermarkets. The bar is effective in removing markings of different kinds on surfaces.

It comes with a detailer in the kit. You spray the detailer on the bar, then rub the affected surface back and forth. Continuously knead the bar to get clean spaces and rub until the marks are completely out.

The eraser works similarly. Dampen it and wipe the affected surface in a circular motion. Finally, rinse with water and dry the area thoroughly with a microfiber towel.

– Use Your Household Cleaning Products

If you still have trouble removing tire marks, try some cleaning products available at home. You have weakened the marks at this point, and only a little elbow grease remains to remove them.

One of the products you can use is goo gone. It removes nasty problems, and tire marks aren’t different. Another popular product you can use is rubbing alcohol. However, these two cleaners, especially the latter, are too potent and can’t be used alone.

To avoid damaging the paintwork, dilute it with water (between 10 and 15 percent). Vinegar is also a good product for those who want to know how to get black tire marks off car, naturally. Mix one-part white vinegar with three parts water, then apply the mixture on the affected surface using a cloth or sponge.

Ensure you rinse with water afterward and dry the area thoroughly. You can also spray some racing rubber remover on the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe off the marks with a clean lint-free cloth.

– Restore a Clear Coat With a Finishing Wax

At this point, the tire scuff marks on car should be out completely. If so, apply a finishing wax to restore any clear coat surface that might have been damaged during the scrubbing with the various products. A waxed compound will get underneath the clear coat and clean out any scratches for a nice shine.

How To Protect Your Car From Getting Tire Marks?

To protect your car from getting tire marks, avoid potholes, curbs, and raised surfaces. You should also drive gently and always maintain the correct tire pressure. Other practices to prevent tire marks include avoiding overloading the car with cargo and using different tires for different seasons.

– Mind the Roads You Drive On

As mentioned, potholes, curbs, and raised surfaces are common causes of scuff marks. So, avoid driving in such areas. If you must, always approach them at an angle instead of head-on to reduce the risk of the marks forming.

– Drive Gently

Always try to avoid taking sharp turns or stopping the car suddenly. These and other aggressive driving habits will increase tire skidding or sliding. That’s a recipe for tire marks on your vehicle.

– Maintain the Correct Tire Pressure

Stay alert to your tire pressure and inflate or deflate them regularly as required. Ensure that all the tires have the recommended pressure. Under or overinflated tires will flex more and increase the chance of tire marks.

– Clean Your Car and the Tires Regular

Another practical hack for anyone who wants to find out how to remove tire scuff marks and keep them building up on the car surface is to clean the vehicle regularly. Don’t allow dirt and grime to accumulate on your tires. Clean them routinely with a suitable tire clean or soap and water.

The probability of forming marks will reduce if the tires are always clean. Also, the inevitable marks won’t have a chance to build up if you clean the vehicle routinely.

– Say No To Unnecessary Overloading

Overloading the car with heavy cargo puts extra strain on your suspension. When the vehicle ‘bottoms out,’ the tires come into close contact with the fenders. That leaves a lot of tire marks.

– Always Use the Right Tires

There are different tires for different diving conditions. For example, all-season tires for everyday driving, winter tires for colder weather, and off-road tires for off-roading. Having the right tires will help your car brake effectively and reduce the risk of skidding or sliding, which causes tire marks.

– Consider Using Tire Protectants

Tire protectants lessen the risk of tire marks by forming a barrier between the tires and the car’s body. You’ll find these protectants at your local auto parts store, which are applied directly on tires.

Take note that if you’re driving long distances, you can pull off for a few minutes to allow the tires to cool down. That will reduce tire mark formation on the car surface and your garage floor or concrete driveway. Also, if you must remove tire marks from your concrete floor, use oxygen bleach, acrylic sealer, and citrus solvent.

Cleaning your flooring with baking soda (which you can also use if you want to learn how to remove scuff marks from plastic car exterior) is also a practical option if you’re looking for a natural cleaner.

Conclusion

The above was our guide on how to remove scuff marks from car exteriors, specifically from vehicle’s tires.

Here’s a summary:

• Cleaning the car thoroughly with water and soap is the first step to removing marks on tires efficiently.
• If soap and water don’t remove the marks, apply WD-40, rubber eraser compounds, or typical cleaning products like goo gone and vinegar.
• Once you remove tire marks, apply a waxed product to puff off any scratches on the clear coat.

You’re now knowledgeable and ready to remove those ugly marks from your tires. Grab the tools and be done, or seek the help of a professional car detailer.