The Ford Barn

Sid · 02-19-2026, 01:27 PM

Since I am having my front axle on my 40 coupe dropped I am figuring I am going to change my front tires from 205/75 to 195/75. The only ones I see are a whitewall. I like the idea of a white wall but my rears are 235/75/15.Like new. A 235/75 whitewall is over $200.00.So the question is has anyone had any luck with the Porta Walls as to where they look natural? If I try to sell my existing 235's I won't get anything for them and $210.00 is a tough pill to swallow.

glennpm · 02-19-2026, 01:40 PM

Just mount the new fronts with the white walls inboard, black walls out.

bobH · 02-19-2026, 04:43 PM

My only experience with Portawalls was in the 1950's. Are they still around? My opinion.... I thought they were great. Couldn't tell from just a few feet away.

ford38v8 · 02-19-2026, 04:49 PM

If you get Portawalls, be sure to also get Curb Feelers, or you’ll wish you had.

TJ · 02-19-2026, 05:38 PM

Shop around on the 195X75. You should be able to find them in blackwalls. Check a company called Tire Rack. Also check with your local tire shop.

Tony, NY · 02-19-2026, 07:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You can still buy whitewall tire paint. Don't know what it will end up looking like. Just an option. https://www.rangerpaint.com/products/white-sidewall

Sid · 02-19-2026, 07:58 PM

I see the Porta Walls on evil bay. I was just thinking if I need to go with a white wall on the front it would be a shame to turn backward. That's why I was thinking about adding to the rear. I like the look of the whitewall. I just have a little trouble with the price. I would consider the Porta wall if they hug the tire well.

petehoovie · 02-19-2026, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony, NY

You can still buy whitewall tire paint. Don't know what it will end up looking like. Just an option. https://www.rangerpaint.com/products/white-sidewall

$15.00

Ranger Tire Paint provides the best method for creating a white sidewall. Capable of providing over three coats of paint for all four tires, the Ranger Tire Paint White Sidewalls can create that simple sidewall shine.
Specifications
Each Ranger Tire Paint can is half a pint, enough paint to coat four standard sized tires with a 3” whitewall three times.

petehoovie · 02-19-2026, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid

I see the Porta Walls on evil bay. I was just thinking if I need to go with a white wall on the front it would be a shame to turn backward. That's why I was thinking about adding to the rear. I like the look of the whitewall. I just have a little trouble with the price. I would consider the Porta wall if they hug the tire well.

At Amazon > https://www.amazon.ca/Port-wall-Whit.../dp/B07T2VNR22

Sid · 02-19-2026, 08:08 PM

I think I made my mind up.

petehoovie · 02-20-2026, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid

I think I made my mind up.

19Fordy · 02-20-2026, 08:54 AM

In 1970 I couldn't afford real whitewalls so Porta Walls did the job. (Menomonie, WI)

Joe B. · 02-20-2026, 09:43 AM

I had great results with "Tire Stickers" lettering. Picture is 7 y/o.They have whitewalls. The letters are a little tricky to install. Best with the tire off. The white walls may be harder. Some sort of crazy glue type adhesive. Not cheap either. https://www.tirestickers.com/shop/white-wall-tires/

19Fordy · 02-20-2026, 10:03 AM

Joe: Never saw them before. Thanks for posting the info.

sidevalve8ba · 02-20-2026, 10:11 AM

I ran port o walls on this '49 a number of years ago. They looked pretty darn good, frankly. Never had any problems with them. I don't remember now where I got them though.

petehoovie · 02-20-2026, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

In 1970 I couldn't afford real whitewalls so Porta Walls did the job. (Menomonie, WI)

petehoovie · 02-20-2026, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe B.

I had great results with "Tire Stickers" lettering. Picture is 7 y/o.They have whitewalls. The letters are a little tricky to install. Best with the tire off. The white walls may be harder. Some sort of crazy glue type adhesive. Not cheap either. https://www.tirestickers.com/shop/white-wall-tires/

petehoovie · 02-20-2026, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidevalve8ba

I ran port o walls on this '49 a number of years ago. They looked pretty darn good, frankly. Never had any problems with them. I don't remember now where I got them though.

tubman · 02-20-2026, 01:33 PM

I seem to remember there was a guy at one of the local filling stations that was a specialist at installing them when I was a kid. I vaguely remember him using a rubber hammer to "set" them under the bead during installation. His "porta-walls" always hugged the tire and never loosened up (unless you had a serious encounter with a curb). I wish I remembered more about it.

A guy I worked with in the early sixties had a '50 Merc with "porta-walls" that were attached to beauty rings (trim rings). I thought the "porta-walls" looked good, but the trim rings had this gaudy diamond pattern that turned me off. These had the advantage that if you damaged one, you could go to the FLAPS and get a replacement for $4.95.

sidevalve8ba · 02-20-2026, 02:47 PM

If I remember correctly, and this is going back a ways, inflate the tire just enough to seat the bead with the porta wall in place. Then use the rubber mallet to beat the porta wall enough to flatten it against the sidewall of the tire. This causes it to conform to the tire and really does make it look as if it is a "real" whitewall. Then air the tire up to the proper PSI. If done correctly they truly are convincing.

02-19-2026, 01:27 PM	#1
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 780	Porta walls Since I am having my front axle on my 40 coupe dropped I am figuring I am going to change my front tires from 205/75 to 195/75. The only ones I see are a whitewall. I like the idea of a white wall but my rears are 235/75/15.Like new. A 235/75 whitewall is over $200.00.So the question is has anyone had any luck with the Porta Walls as to where they look natural? If I try to sell my existing 235's I won't get anything for them and $210.00 is a tough pill to swallow.

02-19-2026, 01:40 PM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 3,346	Re: Porta walls Just mount the new fronts with the white walls inboard, black walls out.

02-19-2026, 04:43 PM	#3
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,436	Re: Porta walls My only experience with Portawalls was in the 1950's. Are they still around? My opinion.... I thought they were great. Couldn't tell from just a few feet away.

02-19-2026, 04:49 PM	#4
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,634	Re: Porta walls If you get Portawalls, be sure to also get Curb Feelers, or you’ll wish you had. __________________ Alan

02-19-2026, 05:38 PM	#5
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,773	Re: Porta walls Shop around on the 195X75. You should be able to find them in blackwalls. Check a company called Tire Rack. Also check with your local tire shop.

02-19-2026, 07:38 PM	#6
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 877	Re: Porta walls Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You can still buy whitewall tire paint. Don't know what it will end up looking like. Just an option. https://www.rangerpaint.com/products/white-sidewall

02-19-2026, 07:58 PM	#7
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 780	Re: Porta walls I see the Porta Walls on evil bay. I was just thinking if I need to go with a white wall on the front it would be a shame to turn backward. That's why I was thinking about adding to the rear. I like the look of the whitewall. I just have a little trouble with the price. I would consider the Porta wall if they hug the tire well.

02-20-2026, 10:03 AM	#14
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,916	Re: Porta walls Joe: Never saw them before. Thanks for posting the info.

02-20-2026, 01:33 PM	#19
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: Porta walls I seem to remember there was a guy at one of the local filling stations that was a specialist at installing them when I was a kid. I vaguely remember him using a rubber hammer to "set" them under the bead during installation. His "porta-walls" always hugged the tire and never loosened up (unless you had a serious encounter with a curb). I wish I remembered more about it. A guy I worked with in the early sixties had a '50 Merc with "porta-walls" that were attached to beauty rings (trim rings). I thought the "porta-walls" looked good, but the trim rings had this gaudy diamond pattern that turned me off. These had the advantage that if you damaged one, you could go to the FLAPS and get a replacement for $4.95.

02-20-2026, 02:47 PM	#20
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 950	Re: Porta walls If I remember correctly, and this is going back a ways, inflate the tire just enough to seat the bead with the porta wall in place. Then use the rubber mallet to beat the porta wall enough to flatten it against the sidewall of the tire. This causes it to conform to the tire and really does make it look as if it is a "real" whitewall. Then air the tire up to the proper PSI. If done correctly they truly are convincing. __________________ Cars are like potato chips, its hard to have just one.