Old Tire and Powder Coated Wheels

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BLB27
Posts: 878
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:28 pm
First Name: Bruce
Last Name: Brakke
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 coupe
Location: Ames, Iowa
MTFCA Number: 31192

Old Tire and Powder Coated Wheels

Post by BLB27 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:00 pm

Several days ago, I had the tire removed from a wheel for my 1927 coupe. I then took my five wheels to a local powder coater. I will share some information about the tire and some photos of it and the wheels.

The tire was one of the four tires that had been on the coupe since 1954. To the best of my memory, air had never been added to it nor to two others.

However, the fourth tire would go flat in storage. During the time period from 1954 to 2020, the coupe was stored (never ran) in seven different locations in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. At the last three storage locations, the tire would go flat so I would air it up each move. It would stay up for a couple of months and then go completely flat again. It is surprising to me that the tube could hold air after being crushed while flat.

Attached are three photos of the tire removed several days ago (it is not the tire that would go flat). The tire is at least 68 years old!

Also attached are photos of the powder coated wheels. Note that the contact area inside the hub is not coated.
Attachments
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JohnM
Posts: 578
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 8:22 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Michaelree
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring 1927 Tudor
Location: st louis
MTFCA Number: 50389
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: Old Tire and Powder Coated Wheels

Post by JohnM » Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:24 pm

Not sure what you are asking, but I have two riverside and two firestone tires that I bought used in the early 80's because the seller said they weren't show quality anymore. I still run on them. Apparently the material quality is better than the current batches. :roll:


jiminbartow
Posts: 2202
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:55 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Patrick
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
Location: Bartow, FL
MTFCA Number: 50126
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Old Tire and Powder Coated Wheels

Post by jiminbartow » Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:34 am

If you are going to order new tires and tubes, you should order them now in case it takes them a long time to get to you. Like a lot of Model T parts, I think tubes, flaps and tires are very hard to get now, so save your tires, tubes and flaps, make repairs to the tubes where needed and re-mount them on your rims when you are ready in case you are unable to get new ones, you will be able to drive your car. Those old tires probably have a lot of life left in them. You can make them look like new and preserve the rubber by rubbing the rubber down with brake fluid. Jim Patrick

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