How should I store my wheels and tires? Should I wrap them up in something? How do you keep rubber from dry rotting?

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'69 RS SS 396 375hp L78 Convertible, M22, 3.31 posi, deluxe interior, gauges, rosewood wheel, AM-FM,fold down seat, tilt wheel, SS wheels, console mounted 8 track player, chambered exhaust
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169124&a=8603468

Store them in a cool, dry, preferably dark place. Lay them down on the side, inflated. You can also treat the rubber with a UV protectant if they will be in a more lighted place.

Whatever you do do NOT treat them with Armor All before storing them.. trust me I made that mistake when I was 17, Changed the tires and rims over for the winter months for my monte carlo, come spring cracked to all hell.. come to find out later why it happened.. Petroleum does not mix well with rubber for extended periods of time , Well Live and learn http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

-MM-

Do what rick said and maybe put some rubber treatment on them. But do keep them cool and out of the light. You used to be abull to get the rubber treatment at hardwear stores.

TIM

Yes, I meant a product made for tires. I usually don't use anything but I have a shed that is my tire warehouse. I was thinking along the lines of tire dressing or some silicon based product. I believe Armorall has a product for rubber stuff.

Dang Chris, you must be psychic! I was gonna post almost the exact same question today! My situation is a little different though. I just got a '96 Impala SS and it still has the original tires with a little bit of tread left. BFG has quit making these tires in this size, so I'd like to store them long-term and eventually put them back on someday if I decide to start taking it to shows when it's a 25-year-old classic car. Is there any possible way to make them last this long without dry rotting? Rick, you said to keep them inflated, but I'll be storing them without wheels. If I stack them on their side will they start to deform? How long does that rubber treatment last? Thanks for the help guys!

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Ben - '67 RS/SS350 - Mustangs, meet your NemeSS (http://www.zing.com/picture/p7d9fe8b5dd35dcd12073b1cff9e14e0b/fe9a71cc.jpg.orig.jpg)
"There's an 'e' in Ben, but there's NO 'E' IN CAMARO!!" (no, I'm not an English major....but my wife is! :) )

I was told that ultraviolet light breaks down the rubber and if you store them in a trash bag they will keep a lot longer. Coat them with a non petroleum based dressing and bag them up. This is how I store my slicks and haven't had a problem with dry rot yet.

You won't have a problem stacking them unmounted. The bag idea is a good one, too.

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Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4:10

Use 100% silicone - Armor all is junk and so is most of the other stuff on the market. I used to have a connection for silicone from a guy at a local car dealership but he's long gone. I think Black Magic might make a 100% or close to it formula...

LPS makes an aerosol(sp?) silicone spray that washes off with water. I use it on my fishing rods and reels. It is USDA approved and won't damage painted surfaces. If you are putting the tires and rims in a plastic bag then coating the rim is a good idea since condensation can form if the bag is well sealed.

Beware that there are some aerosol silicone sprays still left on the store shelves that contain 1,1,1 Triclorethane. These are all but gone from the stores but if used it can damage the painted surfaces of the rim.

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The Red Beast http://www.geocities.com/casanoc

Good suggestion, Carl. For my alloy wheels, I clean them and wax them prior to storing them over the winter.

I remember reading recommendations from a tire manufacturer some time ago. They also said to keep in a cool place away from light, on their sides. If storing on a concrete floor, put wood underneath.

I also remember them saying something about not storing the tires in close proximity to large electrical motors...don't remember the exact reason why but bottom line is that the rubber would deteriorate faster.

An electric motor will generate ozone which will deteriorate the rubber.

Thanks, Rick.