Is It Possible To Soften Tyres?

[lachiereeves]

Hey guys,

 

Wondering if it is possible to soften used tyres. Heard a few stories on other forums... Eg

1. Dunking them in diesel and leaving for a few hours

2. Painting turps over them then wrapping plastic wrap around them and leave for 5-7days.

 

I know you can buy the actual tyre softening stuff, but its from overseas (can't find it here online) and I'd rather buy turps (because its cheaper) from bunnings or something then wait for ages for postage (if turps works).

 

The obvious other option is just getting retreads/moulds with a softer compound, but that is about $40 a tyre I've heard

 

Has anyone ever tried any of these methods or others and had success.

 

Cheers

Lachie

[7shades]

Diesel works well.

[B.L.Z.BUB]

Oil of Olay.

[Evan G]

just soak em for a good week, i don't know if your gonna have any traction in the wet

 

oil+water= WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[the_van_can]

One of my mates told me if you want to soften your tyres soak them in brake fluid.

I have no idea how credible this information is.

[Trev]

You can buy a tyre softener:

 

http://www.rocketindustries.com.au/descrip...p?partno=VPBITE

[rob83ke70]

deep heat and something.... can't quite remember what the something was though so it might not be much help!!

 

Robert.

[Sam_Q]

well this is the strangest thread in a while, so the purpose is for more grip?

[lachiereeves]

well this is the strangest thread in a while, so the purpose is for more grip?

 

Yeah it is, and yes... its for speedway. Apparently the difference of a hard tyre and a soft one is night and day. So I'm guessing more grip and traction.

 

Thanks for your help.

Edited May 11, 2010 by lachiereeves

[Johno]

Turps will melt your rubber, even if its only the surface, the first drive it will wear off the soft rubber and your tires will be hard again.

 

Edit: I might have to take that back after reading this :blinks: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/thread/41...d-tire-softener

Edited May 11, 2010 by Johno

[lachiereeves]

Turps will melt your rubber, even if its only the surface, the first drive it will wear off the soft rubber and your tires will be hard again.

 

Edit: I might have to take that back after reading this :blinks: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/thread/41...d-tire-softener

 

That makes sense... I saw that too. But it can't be right... I knew that a tyre softened with turps wouldn't last as long as a normal tyre so I was/still am confused. That means that guys tyres lasted 5x longer. I guess I'll just get the real stuff made for tyre softening.

 

Thanks for the advice Johno.

 

-Lachie

[Dropz]

why not just buy soft tyres straight up?

[Redwarf]

Go buy hot off the press remoulds.

 

That's what I used to do for state level and national championship motorkhanas. Work well on tar or dirt. I used to get three bitumen motorkhanas out of a pair. :blinks:

Edited May 11, 2010 by Redwarf
typo.

[lachiereeves]

Go buy hot off the press remoulds.

 

That's what I used to do for state level and national championship motorkhanas. Work well on tar or dirt. I used to get three bitumen motorkhanas out of a pair. :blinks:

 

 

Yeah thats what we are thinking now. Easiest way I guess and they'll probably last a lot longer.

 

Also how long do you think those tyres would stay soft for or a few motorkhanas (how long is one on average) do you rekon?

 

Thanks

Lachie

[Taz_Rx]

I remember hearing that soaking them in deisel was good for extra smokey burnouts, not so much to soften the tyres.

 

I'll just stick with my semi slicks I think!! :blinks: