Very very snug tires on wheels

[aurfalien]

Hi,

As I'm about to finish my Porsche 936, I practically destroy the wheels while sliding em through the tires.

I'm stripping and repairing them as we speak but I assume lubricating the inside of the rubber with say glycerin etc would help future endeavors?

Pretty bummed about this.  The wheels looked so cool etc...

Oh well, its scale model building right, nothing ever smooth!

PS Can I heat up the tires a bit?

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2016 by aurfalien

[Harry P.]

Put the tires into a bowl of water and microwave for about 45 seconds. Time will depend on your microwave's power. If still too stiff, microwave 15-20 seconds more. The tires will slip right over the wheels, no problem.

[aurfalien]

Put the tires into a bowl of water and microwave for about 45 seconds. Time will depend on your microwave's power. If still too stiff, microwave 15-20 seconds more. The tires will slip right over the wheels, no problem.

Cool deal, thanks man.

Seems a better solution the glycerin which could be messy.

[Harry P.]

I build Pocher kits, and the tires are like iron. No way they can be slipped over the wheels as is, but the microwave trick works like a charm. The only variable is the actual time... you'll have to experiment. But I guarantee you, this trick works.

[aurfalien]

I build Pocher kits, and the tires are like iron. No way they can be slipped over the wheels as is, but the microwave trick works like a charm. The only variable is the actual time... you'll have to experiment. But I guarantee you, this trick works.

Well, you've been right on just about everything I've read from you.  That airbrush needle color code was poetry man, poetry.  Simple, effective.

[Harry P.]

One more tip... press the tires on from the back side of the wheel. That way, if the wheels are painted, you won't risk messing up the paint.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I build Pocher kits, and the tires are like iron. No way they can be slipped over the wheels as is, but the microwave trick works like a charm. The only variable is the actual time... you'll have to experiment. But I guarantee you, this trick works.

Thanks for that tip. I was thinking along those lines after seeing how hard the tires are and how tight they seem to be on the rims on the old Alfa. Glad to know it works well.

[gtx6970]

Put the tires into a bowl of water and microwave for about 45 seconds. Time will depend on your microwave's power. If still too stiff, microwave 15-20 seconds more. The tires will slip right over the wheels, no problem.

Agreed ,,,,I've done a couple late 50s annuals and the tires are  hard as a rock.

heat a bowl of water up and drop the tires in for few a few minutes,,works every time

[StevenGuthmiller]

Agreed ,,,,I've done a couple late 50s annuals and the tires are  hard as a rock.

Probably one of the reasons why I use a lot of aftermarket tires.

I hate those 50s tires!

 

Steve

[gtx6970]

Probably one of the reasons why I use a lot of aftermarket tires.

I hate those 50s tires!

 

Steve

Steve,

Which aftermarket  tires do you use.

I recently picked up some  of the AMT parts pack whitewall  tire sets. and they are hollow. With the design of the old annuals simple wheels . Have you run into any fitment issues using this combination ?

[StevenGuthmiller]

Steve,

Which aftermarket  tires do you use.

I recently picked up some  of the AMT parts pack whitewall  tire sets. and they are hollow. With the design of the old annuals simple wheels . Have you run into any fitment issues using this combination ?

I've been using mostly either the AMT parts pack tires, or one of several Modelhaus tires.

I can't really give you specifics on fitment.

Each build is a little different & I always seem to manage to figure out a way to get them to work.

I will tell you though, if you have the type of wheels that were common on many of the early 60s kits that have a flange on the outside, the AMT tires just pop right on.

These wheels are from an AMT '60 Merc.

 

Steve

 

Edited June 22, 2016 by StevenGuthmiller