8 replies to this topic

[mppicione]

Is putting your retro slot car tires in the fridge the best way to store them long term?

They would be in original tubes, then put in a ziplok bag.

[Kim Lander]

Thats where I keep mine....never had any problems, just let them warm good before using.

[Bill from NH]

I have a Ziploc bag of tires in tubes & a few donuts that have been in my cellar fridge since before 2010 when the local raceway closed. 

[Bridgehampton66]

This (tires in tubes, in bag, in metallic box, discovered below ground) might be a fascinating puzzle for the archeologists who follow us.

Whether they be human, alien, or silicon-based.

[Pablo]

I don't know of any better way than the OP.

Another step I take is to leave them somewhat oversized when stored, and remove from refrig a couple days before a race.

Once they return to normal temp, trim off the outer rubber down to fresh material and true at race size

[Mike Patterson]

I don't know. When going through the contents of a box of old slot stuff, I found a pair of Limpach Fresh Cuts from the early 1980s, still in the tube. I opened it, and the tires were still soft and pliable. Also found a pair of Black Max tires, of the same vintage as the Limpachs, and they were soft, too. So I would say leaving the tires in their tubes is the most important thing. Any other additional container is icing on the cake.

[Bill from NH]

Keep them away from a heat source too. I had some blue & orange Aquirre donuts stored in my attic. A few years later both were rock hard. I might have rubber for fronts if I ever make any. In the past, I made them from street hockey pucks.

[Bill Seitz]

I think the most important aspect is to keep the tires sealed away from the air since the oils dry out of them. I think the refrigerator is just one more step in that direction. I know storing them in the refrigerator is popular, but I've never done it myself. Another acquaintance of mine started wrapping his tires in plastic food wrap between races and swears by that practice. Anything that seals air out works.

[Bill from NH]

In the days of unlimited track glue, I coated tires with Camen red glue before storing them away.