Is your tire TIRED of the same boring, universal color all the time? Does an all-black look make you feel bleh? Then why don’t you get yourself a paint pen?
It has the potential to change the entire appearance of your tires. You can accentuate the letters on their surface by filling them up and give them a ‘race’ look.
But why paint pen you may ask? I would say, it is one of the easiest and most reasonable options you can have. Such pens use ink that can make a solid bonding on the rubber so that it stays put for a long time. I think this reason is enough!
Although you can go with the traditional white or yellow colors since they are more vibrant, other colorful options wouldn’t be a bad idea.
So, don’t let your tires retire and get the best tire paint pen for them. I am sure that they won’t mind if you bring them some other colors.
For your convenience, I’ve listed top 5 options so you can choose one from here.
Comparison Chart For Top 5 Tire Paint Pens
Name | Waterproof | Special Feature |
FLYMAX White Paint Pen | Yes | Pigmented thin line |
TFIVE Paint Pens | Yes | Lightfast |
Tire Ink Paint Pen | Yes | Double-sided |
AKARUED White Paint Pen | Yes | Thick line |
CHUIR 3 Pack Tire Paint | Yes | Smooth nib |
Top 5 Tire Paint Pens Reviews
1. FLYMAX White Paint Pen- Best Tire Paint Markers
Paint starts to flow quickly and keeps flowing evenly, this is what you would get from Flymax pen. It boasts a 0.7mm tip that feels extra fine. With the thin line, this acrylic pen helps you get precise lettering on the tire.
FLYMAX White Paint marker is very easy to use. You can even work with small details, gradients and shading through the pen. It’s highly pigmented and there wouldn’t be any leak nor fade issues.
The pen would leave a bright popping color on your tire at the very first attempt. So, you don’t have to overdo it.
Although the paint dries quickly within a minute, you can just touch it. If you want to actually use the car, it’s essential you wait for a day to let it set. Since this is a waterproof tire paint pen, you can use your car on any terrain in any weather.
A small con with the pen is that the cap is slightly hard to open. You can use a pair of pliers to get it off. It may sound funny but it makes the removal easier.
Highlighted Features
- Versatile for usage over different surfaces.
- Nontoxic and free of harmful chemicals.
- Suitable for achieving details.
- 0.7mm line size creates great effects.
Pros
- Color is super pigmented.
- Can create details with the thin line.
- No leak or fade issues.
- Ink lasts very long.
Cons
- Hard to remove the cap.
Product Specialty
This is an ultra-pigmented paint pen that gives you a very thin line so you can create amazing details with it.
2. TFIVE Paint Pens- Black Tire Paint Pen
Want a set of multicolored paint pens? Then get one from TFIVE. It would be oil-based ink but free of odor, toxins, acid and xylene. In short, you can call it environment-friendly.
There would be 12 different colors in a set and they are outstandingly vibrant. I really love how each of them appears bright and visible on the tire.
They have a 2mm line thickness and 5mm tip diameter. With this, you would be easily able to write in small spaces with precision.
When it comes to the durability, the effect of the ink works great. It’s lightfast that makes it a solid black tire paint pen. The lettering would not discolor or fade easily on the tire even if you keep it exposed to UV rays.
Note that you have to be very careful while opening the cap. Over-pressing the nib in the initial stage can cause it to leak. So, I would suggest you don’t press it more than 3 times. It is enough for the ink to flow to the tip.
Highlighted Features
- Not prone to get discolored.
- 12 different colors in a set.
- 2mm line thickness and 5mm tip diameter.
- Comes individually packaged.
Pros
- Very environment-friendly and free of odor and chemicals.
- Lightfast so you can use the car anywhere in scorching summer.
- Creates lines easily in tight spaces.
- Comes in different vibrant colors.
Cons
- Nib may leak if over-pressed.
Product Specialty
Set of 12 super-vibrant pens. Because they are lightfast, the inks would keep the color on the surface intact despite the light.
3. Tire Ink Paint Pen
Another waterproof non-fading tire paint pen. Because the paint is oil based, you would find them quite hard to remove. It is basically popular for making a strong bond with the tire for a year.
You can easily wash the tire without fading or removing the paint for its durability. Just make sure to use the paint correctly.
Tire ink paint pen is easy to use. It doesn’t need any tools or glue to work. You would just have to shake well with the cap on for 30 seconds and press the pen down. This would allow the paint to flow smoothly.
The biggest plus is its double sided tip. The default tip would be slightly thick so you get to paint the big recessed letters on your tire at one go. Meanwhile, flipping the felt body would give you a smaller tip to help you get into the tight areas on recessed letters.
It’s very important that you prepare the tire and clean it with acetone before using the paint or else, the paint may flake quickly.
Highlighted Features
- Comes with 2 sided tip.
- Car wash safe and waterproof.
- Doesn’t need any tools or glue.
- Lasts up to a year.
Pros
- Both the sides of the felt tip are usable.
- Easy to use.
- Safe to wash the car without causing damage.
- Paint flows smoothly.
Cons
- May flake if you don’t use Acetone.
Product Specialty
Its two sided tip is what makes the product special. The larger tip lets you work with big recessed letters while the small tip is great for fine details.
4. AKARUED White Paint Pen
AKARUED White Paint Pen comes with a 3mm medium point tip. While the fine point gives you full control for precision, its thickness helps with filling large areas of recessed letters. You can control the flow and use it the way you want.
Coming in acrylic, this tire lettering paint pen promises to dry quickly to touch. It would produce a solid opaque and glossy finish on your tire even after drying. But make sure to wait for a day at least before you use it. It would need time to cure.
The pen is free of xylene, toluene and other harmful chemicals like the FLYMAX one. So, you can call it environment friendly.
It is super easy to use. You won’t have any leak issues when opening the cap or when using it.
However, since the pen has a thick tip, it’s not idea for small letters or fine details. You can use FLYMAX paint pen for that.
Highlighted Features
- 3mm line size for big areas.
- Free of xylene, toluene and other toxins.
- Versatile for usage over different surfaces.
- Dries quickly to touch.
Pros
- Great for big areas and letters.
- No leak or fade issues.
- Easy to use and control.
- Creates solid opaque and glossy finish after drying.
Cons
- Not ideal for fine details.
Product Specialty
With 3mm felt tip, AKARUED White Paint Pen lets you paint on any tire with large areas. You would find it perfect for filling recessed letters.
5. CHUIR 3 Pack Tire Paint Pen- Tire Paint Pen Yellow
CHUIR paint pen has been designed specially to prevent the paint from leaking during transportation. That’s why, you would find the tip very dry. Since it is easy to use, shaking and pressing the tip 2 to 3 times would make the paint flow out.
This is another oil-based pen that comes waterproof. It would not fade the color despite the episodes of car washing. Also, you would find it non-toxic which makes it safe for the environment.
The best part of the pen is its smooth nib. You would love to fill the large letters with its 2mm tip. Although this one comes in bright white, I have another favorite one i.e. the tire paint pen yellow from the same brand. Its vividness can make the tire look beautiful.
Although it is fairly pigmented, you would have to apply 3 or more coats to make it pop. This could have been an issue but thankfully its quick drying nature makes the job easier.
Highlighted Features
- Features smooth nib of 2mm.
- Versatile on several surfaces.
- Environmental and free of harmful chemicals.
- Specially designed to prevent paint leakage.
Pros
- Smooth tip makes the painting an easy job.
- Great for filling large areas.
- The color is super bright.
- Easy to use and control.
Cons
- Needs multiple coats to make the color pop.
Product Specialty
The paint pen comes with a 2mm tip that feels super smooth. You would love to fill the letters on tire with this marker.
How To Paint Tire Letters?
Making your tire pop is easy if you have the right tools and paint pen. You can use any color you want. I would suggest white or yellow if you want the letters to be extremely visible.
Tools You’ll Need
- Medium tip oil-based paint pen.
- Fine tip oil-based paint pen.
- Tire cleaner or Turtle Wax T-18.
- Cloths.
- Paper towel, scrap paper or cardboard.
Painting Tire Letters Step By Step
Step 1- Clean The Tire
Take the tire out of your car and scrub the oil and dirt from the whole tire and the lettering area. You can use Turtle Wax T-18 or any other tire cleaner. In case you used tire shine previously, make sure to use some acetone or Elbow grease to remove it all. Once the area of the tire looks dull, it’s clean and free of residues. Now, use a clean cloth to wipe and let it dry overnight.
Step 2- Shake The Paint Pen
Shake the medium paint pen well. Pump its tip against a cardboard or paper tower repeatedly unless the ink starts to get to the top and flow. The tip should be well-saturated.
Step 3- Fill And Outline The Letters
Color the letters with the medium paint pen tip. The wise thing to do would be to fill the centers first. After that, use the fine tip paint pen tip to outline them carefully.
Step 4- Let It Dry
Touch up any spot you have missed and then leave the ink to dry. You can use another coat if you want the letters to look bolder and brighter. But make sure the first coat dries completely to touch before you apply the second coat.
Wait for a day at least to let the paint set. Now, you can fix it in your car for use.
What Happens If I Spray Paint My Tires?
The spray paint would stick. But as the rubber is flexible, it would cause the paint to fail. The first bump you get, the sidewalls would deform making your paint chip, peel, and come loose. You would have residues that could be hard to remove.
To avoid this situation, you must use acrylic or oil based paint pen and prep the tire before using the paint.
However, spray paint can be ideal for painting the whole tire. Majority of the people use it for tire planters to make them look interesting. Contrariwise, few use it to make the tires colorful to use them on road.
For lettering work, it is actually a waste of paint if you spray it on the tires. It would make the whole thing messy. That’s why paint pen or marker is suggested so you can fill the letters and outlines using the fine tip without making the surroundings messy.
How To Choose The Best Tire Paint Pen?
Types Of Paint
- Acrylic
Acrylic paint pen gives you the convenience of quick drying. Since the pen comes water-based, it has a tendency to dry quickly to touch.
Another great thing about acrylic is that its enamel version offers a certain sheen that you won’t find in other types.
However, acrylic can be slightly waterproof, it’s not very long-lasting. You may have to use sealer over the paint to waterproof it.
- Oil-based
Oil-based paint pen can also be called permanent marker. Such inks are very pigmented which makes them hard to remove from the rubber surface. So, you would find it durable.
As oil is inherently water-repellent, you would find it naturally waterproof. For instance, its enamel version is highly water-resistant.
However, such paint takes more time to dry than acrylic.
Line Thickness
The tip of a paint pen comes with a line size ranging from 0.5mm to more than 4mm. If you want to fill the massive recessed letters, opt for a thick tip. For the fine details and tight areas, pick a thin one.
There are many markers that have double-sided tip and both the nibs are usable.
UV-Resistant And Lightfast
Tires constantly have to endure a lot of heat and pressure while running. For this, they need something that would be very resistant to elements like UV rays.
In this case, get yourself a paint that is UV resistant and lightfast since the rays cause invisible damages to the rubber. This way, the paint would bond strongly with the rubber and avoid peeling.
Waterproof And Car Wash Friendly
The paint should be water-resistant. This will make sure to withstand rain or mud while spinning on the road. Not just that, it would ensure resistance to detergent and water during car washing.
For instance, you can get an oil-based paint pen that is very waterproof. It won’t get colorless quickly if it gets in contact with water. If you use acrylic, then make sure to waterproof the paint with a sealer.
Color Variation
Paint pen is available in a set of either multiple colors or single colors. Although two of the most preferred colors are white and yellow since they make the tire pop.
If you want the traditional look of the letters, you can go with single colors.
On the other hand, multiple colors offer variation that makes the tire look cool and beautiful. You can paint other surfaces too with the varieties.
Surface Compatibility
Not all the paint pens would be compatible with different materials of tire. You must make sure that you can use it on different materials’ surfaces. This would prove the versatility of the paint pen.
Tires are mostly made of rubber, so you should go with the paint that would stick well to the rubber.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Do Tire Paint Pens Work?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because tire pen can easily make a durable bonding on the surface of the rubber tire. Unlike other paints, tire paint pen comes specially formulated so it sticks well and stays for longer period of up to a year. The vibrant colors of the paint help a lot in accentuating the letters on the tire.
No, because tires constantly spin hundreds and thousands of times per minute. They are exposed to dirt, ice, rain, sun, heat and are blasted by wind. These elements discolor the paint and weaken it after a certain time.
What Is The Best Tire Paint Pen?
I think Tire Ink Paint Pen is one of the best markers for tires. Coming oil-based, the pen would withstand water. So, you can easily wash your tires with the paint on them. Not just that, the paint would not fade before a year passes.
The big plus is its 2 sided tip. You would get the pre-installed thick tip for filling recessed letters and there is another small tip on the other side that you can use for making outlines.
This is a very easy-to-use and easy-to-control pen that lets the ink flow smoothly.
These reasons make the pen my favorite.
Are Paint Pens Waterproof?
It depends on the type of paint pen you are using. As I have mentioned above, there are 2 common types of paint used for tires. Oil-based and Acrylic.
Oil-based paint pen tends to be more waterproof than acrylic counterpart. Since oil is water repellant, the paint is naturally water-resistant. Meanwhile acrylic refers to water-based paint. Although some formulas of acrylic make it slightly waterproof, you may have to use a sealer to make the paint withstand water effectively.
Can I Use Permanent Marker On Tyres?
Yes, you can use permanent marker on Tyres! Oil-based paint pen is a kind of permanent marker for them. Such paints stay put on the surface for longer time than water-based markers. You can think of buying one from Tire Ink. It’s a permanent marker that is great for the tires.
What kind of paint will stick to tires?
Both acrylic and oil-based paint would stick well to the tires. I have explained the difference here.
Final Words
Your vehicle surely deserves to look different and interesting. Since tire is one of the most visible parts, painting different letterings with a pen would be simply incredible.
That’s why I have reviewed 5 options so you can get the best tire paint pen from here. Not only it is cost-effective but durable and vibrant too.
What’s great is that you don’t have to have any experience to use such marker. It is quite easy to use and gets the job done without extras. Just make sure to carefully shake the pen and press the nib when using it initially. Also, prep the tires before the paintwork or else they will crack as soon as you spin them.
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