RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

For display car/trucks, will the tire's stay soft and new for long periods of time in the open, or should these vintage rubbers be put away in a sealed bag.

You should always keep your vintage rubbers sealed

RC10resto wrote:You should always keep your vintage rubbers sealed

RC10resto wrote:You should always keep your vintage rubbers sealed

Looks like tins were a popular form of storage for vintage rubber:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=VINTAGE+CONDOM

somehow I knew it would go there

joking aside

i use this to condition and preserve tires: AutoGlym vinyl and rubber care http://www.autoglym.co.uk/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=HE

I spray it on then use a soft brush to wipe/dry it off. It does make them look nice and new, I dont know how long they will take to dry out or if they ever will?

No one answer to your question due to several different rubber compounds and many different environments.
Try to keep them at a stable temperature, out of direct sunlight with no load / weight on them.
If the car is in storage I remove the wheels and keep them in a Ziplock bag.

much thanks guys.

Hey Marlo, given where your cars are stored / displayed, I don't think it will be a big issue since they are out of direct sunlight. One thing that will work really well to preserve them (works on any rubber) is a silicone spray. You can buy it at Crappy Tire and I use it on lots of rubber seals like the ones on your car doors.

Alternatively, if you want them to be shiny too, as someone suggested Auto Glym works but Armor All will work just as well for a lot less.

My 2 cents.

Tires in cool dry climates will last much longer than tires in hot climates. I would never store tires in the attic or hot upstairs cupboards.

It is also a good idea to condition them from time to time.