I can get a new set of Hoosier '03s that have never been used. They are, however, over a year old. by that I mean the owner who is selling them has had them for over a year. They have been kept in a cool dark basement, but they have not been wrapped in plastic or anything. I am concerned that the rubber hardens over time. However, I am told that as long as they are not heat cycled, they should be fine. Any opinions?

 

There are several factors that degrade tire performance, mostly by changing the rubber molecular linkages. These changes occur more rapidly when tires are subjected to heat or ozone, but time alone allows rubber to degrade. Since the tires were stored in a cool, dark envieonment, you've eliminated some of the most serious tire-degrading exposures. Just make sure that they were not near a source of ozone, like an electric motor for a furnace, sump pump or air conditioning system.

IMO, they will not be as good as brand new tires, but if the price is right, they may be a good value.

 

Does storing tires in plastic bags help

Ken

 

It's supposed to.

Steve

 

Hmmmm, maybe I should pop my track tires/wheels into large plastic bags. They sit in the same area of the basement where my sump pump is, even though it does not run very often...

 

If they haven't been mounted or drivin they are good as new. Once you remove the mold release that coats the tire and drive on them things change...

 

Has anyone tried using a thin layer of silicon grease to keep the tires fresh for long storage like this one (new tires only)? Will it penetrate or corode the rubber?

 

Not too sure about grease on tires. They do make a treatment that softens the rubber. I'm not sure if it is the same idea as bleach as I have never used it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Triple-H

 

I love the taste of brake dust in the morning! It tastes like... victory!