Storing tires for an extended time

[bigkountry]

What is the procedure for storing tires for an extended amount of time?

I have a basically new set of Goodyear MTR's on my K10 right now. Since it will be a while before she will see the road I want to take the meats off and store them. They will be in my shop, out of the elements and dry.

Do I need to break them down? Soak them in armor all or anything?

I've never stored tires before and I hate to think these tires would go to waste as expensive as they are..lol
 
I have a set of beater tires so she can stay mobile, so that's covered.

Any help would be appreciated.

[ccz145a]

I'd say just keep the weight off them and keep them out of the sun. No need to break them down.

[joesgarage71]

I'd say just keep the weight off them and keep them out of the sun. No need to break them down.

What he said and let some air out of them.

[Dragon]

Honestly for Longterm Storage, or something you do once a year, I would go with something like these:
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/category.jsp?category=Tire+Storage
If space is an issue, the Rack at the bottom is a good idea to move them up out of the way, and it is actually a simple design that can be fabbed up yourself, if you got the tools and time to do so.....  Personally, I would give them a good cleaning, then cover them up with those covers... If you have nice rims too, I would use the felt seperators(Again something you can make yourself) along with the cover totes, then would hang them up on the rack(If doing so, it would be a smart idea to run a rod through the hub centers, fro one end to the other as well. That way you can lock them for Extra Security & Safety)....

[bigkountry]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like I will be busy on my week off next week! Hoping to get the engine and tranny pulled and inside the shop.

Space isn't that big of an issue but I don't hage an overly huge shop either. I have a similar rack from an old circle track trailer at the farm I might use..thanks for the idea!

[choptop]

The key thing is to keep them out of the weather. My 50 Dodge has tires that have been on it for 15 years and dont have any dry rot. The car is always inside though. A little bit a silicon based protectant wouldnt hurt. I dont use armorall because it is petrolium based and seems to speed up deteriation. BUt just clean and dry will work fine.

[Dragon]

The key thing is to keep them out of the weather. My 50 Dodge has tires that have been on it for 15 years and dont have any dry rot. The car is always inside though. A little bit a silicon based protectant wouldnt hurt. I dont use armorall because it is petrolium based and seems to speed up deteriation. BUt just clean and dry will work fine.

Yes the Sun's UV Rays, and Outside Pollution takes a toll on rubber over time, and causes it to dry-out and break down.....  If the Garage or Shop is fairly dry and somewhat warm, you should be able to get away without any protectant....

[bigkountry]

My shop is very dry....heated in winter, cooled in the summer.

[choptop]

My shop is very dry....heated in winter, cooled in the summer.

Must be nice, mine  ;Dis heated in the summer, and cooled in the winter.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i've heard that you want to lay them down---as opposed to keeping them standing up.   If possible, on plywood and out of sunlight, which, in your case, seems to be taken care of.  As far as temperature, normal inside temp seems ok. 

Also, not stacked on top of one another----each individually laying down, if possible.

[VileZambonie]

As long as they're not cheap tires, out of sunlight you can store them pretty much anywhere anyway.

[bigkountry]

Goodyear Wrangler MTR's

They have very few miles on them, way less than 1K..just seemed to be a waste letting them sit and possibly dry rot while I am restoring her.