Tire dry rot is a phenomenon in which tires degrade or deteriorate to the point where they weaken and begin to crack. Such tires can easily blow out and cause an accident on the road. Below are a few measures you can use to prevent tire dry rot in storage.
Clean and Dry the Tires
Foreign substances accelerate tire degradation. Oil spills, road dust, metal shavings, and fuel all contribute to dry rot. Some of the debris dry out the tires, while others permeate deep into the rubber; both things increase tire degradation. Thus, before you store your tires, clean and dry them to get rid of such contaminants.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
A tire is mostly rubber that is treated with oils to make it flexible enough. The flexibility allows the tires to roll on the ground without distortion or damage. However, sunlight can evaporate the oils and make the tires susceptible to damage. Therefore, store your tires away from direct sunlight so that the oils don't evaporate.
Avoid Petroleum Exposure
As previously mentioned, foreign substances accelerate dry rot. However, some of these substances are more dangerous than others as far as dry rot is concerned. Petroleum products are some of the worst when it comes to tire degradation. Therefore, store your tires away from petroleum products such as engine oil, fuel, and other car fluids.
Use the Right Protectant
There are products, dressings, cleanings, or protectants, which people use to trap useful oils within the tires and prevent dry rot. Unfortunately, using the wrong dressing can cause more harm than good. For example, dressings that contain petroleum products will react with the rubber to cause dry rot.
Avoid Temperature Fluctuations
In addition to chemicals and debris, temperature fluctuations also accelerate tire damage. For one, the temperature fluctuations trigger the expansion and contraction of the rubber, which weakens the material over time. Secondly, high temperatures drive out the oils out of the rubber and leave then susceptible to damage. Lastly, low temperatures can freeze the oils within the rubber and leave the rubber brittle and susceptible to damage. Therefore, the tires should be stored under controlled temperatures.
Prevent Distortion
Tires are designed to retain their circular shape at all times if they are to maintain their structural integrity. Anything that distorts the natural shape of the tire thus increases the risk of dry rot. One way to prevent tires distortion is to ensure they are kept while adequately inflated. It also helps to place the tires on flat ground, avoid stacking too many tires, and don't place heavy items over the tires.
For more information, contact a self storage facility.
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