Armor All for tires?

Will Future protect against dry rot?

Wilbur Wright

Don, the kit is from the early 80's and as such the dry hard tires have no give when trying to place them on the styrene rims.  Ths will be even more difficult when the rims are painted chrome.   I may just sand down the syrene to make them slide on, something I wanted to avoid.

 

I dip tires in Future acrylic floor polish. Gets them nice and shiny, but also allows you to weather them without damaging the vinyl tires.

I would shave down on the inside of the tire with an x-acto #11 blade (slowly rotate the blade inside the tire)a little at a time then test fit  ect... dont take off to much at one time. I have done this using other rims from spares on other brands of kit tires. you dont want to use a substance that will melt the tire.

     Have had the same problem.  I run warm water over the tire or soak them in warm water for a while to make them softer.  This usually works for me.

Ah!  That is another reason I like styrene or resin tires!

Don, the kit is from the early 80's and as such the dry hard tires have no give when trying to place them on the styrene rims.  Ths will be even more difficult when the rims are painted chrome.   I may just sand down the syrene to make them slide on, something I wanted to avoid.

Armor All will NOT soften the rubber/vinyl.  All it will do is keep any paint from sticking, ever.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

What is wrong with hard tires? 

I actually prefer styrene or resin over vinyl, as I can paint them with anything, rather than having to use dry pigments.  Do the hard tires break when you try to mount them?

Hi,

I've never tried it, but it might be worth experimenting with.  If it doesn't work out I know that my LHS sells after market 1/24th tires so it should be possible to find replacements somewhere.

Best of luck.

Pat