Author Topic: Tyre restoration. (Read 1120 times)

SteveG · « **on:** August 16, 2010, 01:16 AM »

I have been diging around at my parents house and found a set of early GT tyres I had on my bike many years ago.
Unfortunately the sidewalls are in a real state. Has anyone done anything to improve the apearance of these. It's a shame as 1 still has the GT letters along the center rib.

firebird4130 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2010, 01:54 AM »

not tried it on tyres but, shoe goo might do it
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shoe-Goo-Clear-110ml-Tube-Shoe-Repair-Adhesive-/260613338184?pt=UK_Clothing_ShoeCare_Shoe_Care_LE

mark 2 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2010, 02:06 AM »

Get some pics up of the problem, I may be able to help

SteveG · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2010, 05:49 PM »

Cheers for the replys. It's the amber sidewall that is the problem the tread rubber seems ok. I did wonder if a very light rub with something like scotchbrite would remove the brown flakey bits that are on them but you would loose the GT badge that is still on them. I had a similar thing with some old comp 3's but they actually started to fall apart as well.

I will try and get a picture or two up later.

mark 2 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2010, 07:14 PM »

Ah, the brown flakey bits.......like this?

That stuff is like a protective layer of pva over the tyre core. It bubbles up and gets shitty with age as you have seen.

Leave the tyre on a wheel pumped up.
Boil a kettle and plonk the wheel over a sink.
Pour the boiling water over it 6 inch sections at a time. It'll soften the shit.
Get a stanley blade and with a flat edge scrape it away.

Comes off real easy, it'll take a few tries to get it all away but the results are well worth it. Skip the logo'd area, that'll come away too. It leaves the core without that protective layer but I don't think it matters.

SteveG · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2010, 11:15 PM »

Hi
Yes thats how they look although slightly worse. I will give it a try on the comp 3 that is really bad.
Thanks for putting up the picture and doing a quick how to.
They probably won't be rideable now but at least 1 of them could be used on a show bike.
Ended up laying under the car fixing it all evening so didn't get the chance.

dordymush · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:02 AM »

i've always wondered if you could use some sort of clear varish on em if they were still pumped up.....................or is this silly

MartyC · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2010, 06:07 PM »

Quote from: dordymush on August 17, 2010, 12:02 AM

i've always wondered if you could use some sort of clear varish on em if they were still pumped up.....................or is this silly

You need something a little more flexible, I have no idea what though

SteveG · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2010, 09:24 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know if the surface is porous but wonder if watered down PVA would be any good, it might work if it soaked in and would be a bit flexible then.

When I get a spare few minutes I will try a few things.