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Is there anything out there that is good for cleaning old vintage RC10 Tires? Whats best to use for cleaning? Then best for preservation? ANyone had any bad experiences with a product that dryed out or ruined Vintage Tires. I am assuming the are made of some type of plastic and not rubber. I cleaned the one on the right with plain water. I decided to stop and check with the experts before I ruined them.

As Always Thanks For your Help,
Stingerrray

I think I remember reading 303 works well.

Plastic bag is the best preservative. Soap and water clean.

Not to thread jack but in case it helps the op as well....
I heard of a method for removing the white powder that develops by tumbling in a bag in a dryer... I think. I can't find the thread anyway and I may have made it all up?!

I have gotten good results with Armorall. Store in a zip lock bag and away from sunlight.

For me, any rubber product needs to be cleaned first with either simple green or spray nine. Either works great. Then 303 aerospace protectant or armor all or some other type of product to make it black and shiny. Works great.

And as mentioned, ziplock bag, cool dry place away from sun. Unless its a shelf queen but then the armor all will be doing its job

Camplinp, What is 303?

Sting

Silicone spray, cheap and very effective, give tyres a nice fresh look too.

my 25 year old tires have just been sitting in my orginal RC10 box in my basement for 15 years and they seem really good. Before my basement they were in the same box in my parents basement. So it seems keeping them out of light is a major factor. I used a bit of armorall on them to clean them up, again all seems good with them.

I've heard that peanut butter can work magic on old tires... has anyone tried this?

Just a note, the AE tires pictured seem to be very durable and resistant to cracking. You you use almost anything on them without any problems. Some other tires are much more sensitive to chemicals and age.

Wurth rubber care

I am using Transmission stop leak...Great results so far...

I would stay away from silicone on rubber tires. I hear that it dries them out and promotes the dryrot cracking. I've heard the same of Armorall.

I personally wash mine in dishwashing liquid and warm water. An old toothbrush, nothing too stiff bristled is all that you need to get em clean.

If they have the powder residue after that, I'll hit them lightly with a heat gun. That works awesome, but be careful about staying in one spot too long.....

Followed up with Wurth Rubber care. That's some good stuff. I wish I could find out what it's made of. I believe mineral oil cut with alcohol to thin it dowm some. Don't know for sure tho.

It's always good to store them in a ziploc bag. For one, it preserves all your hard work, and two, prevents you from storing the car on its wheels and thus flatspotting the tires.