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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: lvmci on April 17, 2014, 02:38:06 PM

Title: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 17, 2014, 02:38:06 PM
Hi All, my bus sits mostly east/west facing, in a spot between two newer motorhomes that are 2 to 3 feet taller than my 5A, on eitherside. The sun only hits the tires for a short period of time, each day. My question is, with such a short sun exposure, do tire covers offer protection and does just being open to the dry air suck the moisture from the oils, as much as if they were exposed to the sun all day. Lvmci...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Van on April 17, 2014, 05:37:15 PM
 Hi Tom, keep them covered the best you can. I made some covers for ours but will be adding some plywood to the outside when not in use. Our pick up still has plenty of tread lest but the cords let loose the other day and man what a ride lol, the sun and lack of humidity has taken it's toll. New tires are being put on tomorrow, along with our new jeep and finally getting the rest of the bus tires done next week. Ralph's tire pro here in BC has been very reasonable on their prices and will get our business for now on  :) New sneakers all around

 Van
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 17, 2014, 07:10:19 PM
Hi Van, glad you got thru the blowout ok, down in Hollywood doing pilot, gonna put those great seats from Clifford on the bus, thanks Clifford, and come home Friday, tom...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: gus on April 18, 2014, 07:47:24 PM
Any tire that sits will rot because the oils in the rubber need to be exercised and circulated throughout the rubber.

No, I'm not that smart, I just read it online:)
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Dave5Cs on April 19, 2014, 07:04:49 AM
Also they need to be scrubbed down a few times a year. I use dish soap and a black scrub pad. After a good rinse we put the highest number skin sunblock rubbed into them . Right now they have number fifty. Here is a blog I was reading with a article he did on UV and tires.

http://www.rvtiresafety.com/2014/04/uv-tire-protection-facts.html (http://www.rvtiresafety.com/2014/04/uv-tire-protection-facts.html)

Dave5Cs
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Oonrahnjay on April 19, 2014, 07:54:41 AM
Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 19, 2014, 07:04:49 AM
Also they need to be scrubbed down a few times a year. I use dish soap and a black scrub pad. After a good rinse we put the highest number skin sunblock rubbed into them . Right now they have number fifty. Here is a blog I was reading with a article he did on UV and tires.

http://www.rvtiresafety.com/2014/04/uv-tire-protection-facts.html (http://www.rvtiresafety.com/2014/04/uv-tire-protection-facts.html)

Dave5Cs

    Thanks for that, Dave.  As expensive as tires are, it makes sense to keep them preserved as best as possible.   
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: gus on April 20, 2014, 07:05:45 PM
How do you know sunblock won't damage the tires?
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: junkman42 on April 22, 2014, 09:01:18 AM
Michelin only approves protect 303!  I used on airplane tires for more years than I can remember and still use on My hotrod and vet tires.  My2
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 22, 2014, 09:06:51 AM
What is protect 303? Is that a sun protectant? Lvmci...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: eagle19952 on April 22, 2014, 11:07:29 AM
Quote from: lvmci on April 22, 2014, 09:06:51 AM
What is protect 303? Is that a sun protectant? Lvmci...

Here it is: :) :)

http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-30350-Aerospace-Protectant/dp/B000XBCURW (http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-30350-Aerospace-Protectant/dp/B000XBCURW)
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: shelled on April 22, 2014, 02:48:44 PM
I used to use ArmorAll on very delicate bicycle racing sew-up tires with excellent results.  I'm not certain there is a substantive difference between ArmorAll and Protect 303.  My "Riegel's Handbook of Industrial Chemistry" has a section on rubber compounds that seems to support this.  Since the total tread thickness on the sew-up tires was about 1/16th (that's one sixteenth) of an inch, I don't know if it would work same on bus tires.

edward
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Tikvah on April 22, 2014, 03:42:08 PM
Are tires made of rubber?  Is that question relevant to this discussion?  Are rubber compounds always suitable for tires?
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: wg4t50 on April 22, 2014, 04:49:10 PM
Oh yes, there is lots more than just pure rubber, the issue about the cracks is caused by time and curing of the rubber, rubber is curing all the time and when well into being cured it is hard and starts the cracking.  This is what I have been told by a rubber salesman.
True or not, Hell I have no idea but it sounded good.
Dave M
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 22, 2014, 06:34:15 PM
Hi All, eagle, Dave & junk, thanks for all the info, I bought  spray bottles of 303, one for the bus, scrubbed and sprayed the tires on the truck and car that park outside, lvmci...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Van on April 22, 2014, 07:01:40 PM
Do they shine ?
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: luvrbus on April 22, 2014, 07:41:45 PM
There in lies the problem tires are made from Butadiene,Styrene,Neolite,Polyisobutylene,Butyl rubber and other synthetics no such thing as rubber in tires to day the all mighty Michelin are made from Butyl rubber a synthetic I saw that at the plant in Ardmore OK

good luck
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: gus on April 22, 2014, 07:54:06 PM
I did hours of research on tire coatings a few years back and 303 or its equivalent was the only thing I found to be good for tires.

Armorall and its mates are among the worst things to use unless you're making it look to sell! They are made for vinyl.
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 22, 2014, 08:30:37 PM
We southwesterners have the sun, the heat and the dryness to protect from. Ive found the tire covers maddening, coming back a month later and seeing them under the next rv. The sun beats down on her, whether shes moving, overnighting, or sitting for 2 months. I think another layer of protection to allow some additional protection from the sun is a good idea, lvmci...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Van on April 23, 2014, 05:10:08 AM
Tom did you pick up the 303 locally? I'd like to try the stuff  ;)
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: lvmci on April 23, 2014, 06:25:23 AM
Hi Van, yes, over at So Cal speed shop on DI and Arville, not far from your shop, I think it was $15. See you guys later on, hope to see JC and Sean today...
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Iceni John on April 23, 2014, 11:51:30 AM
I've used 303 for many years for my car's door and window seals.   When the door seals begin to creak and squeak, especially when driving over angled speed bumps, I know it's time to reapply it.   I've never used it on tires  -  my bus tires are Michelins, so maybe even 303 won't help them much!

John
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: luvrbus on April 23, 2014, 01:27:28 PM
Any one still use the RuGlyde from the 50's-70's it was popular when they made rubber tires ::) it was great stuff for rubber squeaks and making the rubber floor mats look new also
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: junkman42 on April 25, 2014, 02:08:19 PM
Camping world has 303 here in northwest florida also in their catalogue.  Anyone that remembers ru-glyde or atlas is old LOL!  John L
Title: Re: tire cracking, dry rott
Post by: Lin on April 25, 2014, 02:31:25 PM
Never heard of it!!

I feel younger already.