Tire paint pens... do they work decently?

Recently got a set of NT01's for free to autocross on, with the big raised letters, I think since they're going to be autocross only wheels, painting the letters white would look pretty neat. Anyone have any experience with the paint pens at all? Any other more cost effective options? I've read that whiteout doesn't stick to tires very well. I've also heard of people using the 'puffy paint' stuff(3D fabric paint) that people used to put on shirts.

Here's a picture I found, looks like the person used the puffy paint.

I used a white sharpie permanent marker. Took three coats to really cover good but has been on the bike for a month now and still looks good. I haven't tried the regular paint pens because every review I've read said it didn't last worth a damn and turned brown. I'd go to staples and pick up a white sharpie.

A small brush and some latex house paint works as well as a and is cheap. I used todo my tow truck tires with it. They would need to be touched up from time to time but no worse than the pens and it is much quicker.

Glad to see there's still some fans of the raised white letter tires out there! Rock on!

I thought the (big-time) race teams just used spray paint over a stencil.

I first used an oil based paint. I applied it and let it sit for a week. It turned brown in that week and when I took it for it's first ride the stupid paint ran and I had white streaks running all the way to the tread. I'm happy with the sharpie.

I'm not a big fan of it on street tires, but I think it looks bitchin' on track tires.

I've had better luck with latex than oil based on tires but it will still need some upkeep.

I have often wondered why they quit making white lettered tires. I know some of the truck tires still do, but car tires? I miss them alot

I remember back in the late 60's a guy in the neighborhood sitting on the curb touching up his redline tires. What he used I'll never know, he was kinda strange and I never felt compelled to ask. He owned a bunch of cool cars over the years tho.

I have OWL Goodyears on my Jeep. The tire shop asked me and I hastily said "OWL out!". Sometimes I regret it but overall I like the look. It looks classic. I have been thinking about painting the letters red just for something different. I ordered a Testors paint pen in red yesterday since NOBODY local to me carries red (they did have gold though ). Hopefully, the paint will adhere alright and not turn funky colors. We will see.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Glad to see there's still some fans of the raised white letter tires out there! Rock on!

I love white letter tires! I really wanted some for the xB but finding anything performance in that size was impossible. I tested a paint pen on the spare tire & it looked terrible. This was about 5 years ago, they might be better now?

+1 for stencil and spray paint

I've only heard bad things about tire paint pens. A stencil and spray paint will work. I've heard plasti-dip works well as the spray paint.

I thought a set of Blue Streaks would look good on the Fiat.

The plastic flexi paint works well.