What is this %$@& on my tires???

[Pewter Power]

Discovered yesterday while cleaning the wheels and tires that there was a thin sticky film on my new Michelin Pilot sport tires. It took on a dirty appearance, however after some heavy duty rubbing, I was able to get most of it off, except for between some of the raised lettering (i.e Pilot Sport, etc.) What is this stuff? Is it a protectant type of film that the mfg. places on its tires? I did apply some tire dressing approx one month ago, however I would'nt think that the tire dressing would leave this think stricky hard to get off film? Any thoughts? How do you remove it completly? I have never seen this before. The tires look much better without it. Your help is apprecaited here... :cheers:

[imaruby]

I have the same crap on my new Firestone sz50 firehawks,went back to dealer and he called factory.Their solution was to clean them with their (firestone) tire cleaner.I used Wesley's Whitewall cleaner which I had,it didnt clean them 100% so I plan to take one back to the dealer who agreed to try their stuff.Car is in storage so it wont happen right away.Keep waving. :cheers:

[SWCDuke]

It's mold release. Wet it down with paint thinner from a spray bottle, work with an old paint brush, then wipe it off before the thinner drys.

An old toothbrush works to loosen it up on serrations or raised letters.

It might take as much as two or three treatments to get it all off.

Duke