Can tyres 'go off?'

[stolly]

I have a couple of different sets of tyres, If they are just sitting in the shed for ages - say 6 months or so can they degrade? Should they be stored any particular way?

[Abo Bob]

I think they dry out and don't grip as well although there is some stuff you can get to paint onto them which softens them up again.

[4door_Sleeper]

Sunlight will deteriorate rubber, but modern tyres with silica etc in them shouldn’t suffer to the same degree.

[leech_]

6 months i would think as 4door_sleeper said will be right. And i think as long as its not in a dry hot are unused for more than 12+ months their shouldnt be any drama's putting them back on. I know their is a good that you can put on tyres which will make them grip alot more which would probably work well for these sorts of tyres, however supposedly it makes them so spungy they wear out really quick

[R31Nismoid]

best trye for burnouts are ones that have been sitting in the sun for 6 months

but if they are in shade, they might be a bit average for a few km's then come good again once you wear into them a bit

[FATGTS-R]

Anybody got info on this "stuff" to put on the tyres?

My rears are either old tyres that have been in the sun for too long or just have a ridiculously hard compound. They just refuse to wear out. The traction is hopeless but I cant bring myself to throw out 265 tyres with heaps of tread left.

[Baz]

If its looks like the rubber is showing cracks or just has a dry feel to it just rub some vaseline into it, wipe it off and that should fix it. I havent tried it on car tyres before but it works like a charm on rubber exposed to dry conditions or the sun for ages. Gives it back its flexibility and smooth feel. Just a suggestion, not sure if it would work.

[Lukas]

A guy just showed me his spare tyre... and it is fu(ked, been in the boot for over three years, it is all hard and if you stick a screwdriver into it, little bits of rubber chip off!!!

[PLYNX]

FATGTS-R, Methaline Chloride is about the only thing that will "soften" tyres somewhat but it not recomended that you get it on the side walls as it also tends to breake down the ability of the rubber to bond to the carbon in the tyre. Oh and watch out, Methaline Chloride is pretty toxic stuff so gloves and very well ventilated areas when applying