Age of slicks

kansas stocker · 04-30-2017, 07:36 PM

Have a chance to buy a set of Mickey Thompson slicks that are about 20 years old and never mounted. They look and feel good. Are they safe?
Thanks.
Pete

nickh · 04-30-2017, 08:04 PM

NO Sir pass on them regardless of how they feel. It is not worth the risk

Myron Piatek · 04-30-2017, 08:09 PM

It's not a direct comparison, but it should give you the answer.

I bought a new 16" trailer tire and had it properly aired, mounted & balanced, storing it inside a garage or the trailer the whole time. I didn't need it till about 6-7 years later. Still looked brand new. But within 1,500 miles, the tread peeled like a banana. I rode on the inflated steel belts for about a mile or two until I found a place to pull over to change it.

Rubber dry-rots over time and it doesn't matter that it may look good.

MrWendy'sJr · 05-01-2017, 03:44 AM

Guy at the tire dealership told me that tires have about a 10 year safe life span. Rubber being a natural material was the reason he gave me.

Rick Schilling · 05-01-2017, 08:50 AM

I don't know if there is any truth to it, but I have heard that some of the additives that were once used in tire compounds to prevent dry rot have been outlawed by the EPA. My past experience would support that theory.

04-30-2017, 07:36 PM	#1
kansas stocker Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: kansas Posts: 235 Likes: 502 Liked 249 Times in 48 Posts	Age of slicks Have a chance to buy a set of Mickey Thompson slicks that are about 20 years old and never mounted. They look and feel good. Are they safe? Thanks. Pete

04-30-2017, 08:04 PM	#2
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 823 Likes: 3,573 Liked 648 Times in 193 Posts	Re: Age of slicks NO Sir pass on them regardless of how they feel. It is not worth the risk

04-30-2017, 08:09 PM	#3
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Age of slicks It's not a direct comparison, but it should give you the answer. I bought a new 16" trailer tire and had it properly aired, mounted & balanced, storing it inside a garage or the trailer the whole time. I didn't need it till about 6-7 years later. Still looked brand new. But within 1,500 miles, the tread peeled like a banana. I rode on the inflated steel belts for about a mile or two until I found a place to pull over to change it. Rubber dry-rots over time and it doesn't matter that it may look good. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

05-01-2017, 03:44 AM	#4
MrWendy'sJr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sandusky, OH Posts: 58 Likes: 2 Liked 25 Times in 1 Post	Re: Age of slicks Guy at the tire dealership told me that tires have about a 10 year safe life span. Rubber being a natural material was the reason he gave me. __________________ Jeremy Stock SS/KA 3574

05-01-2017, 08:50 AM	#5
Rick Schilling Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 103 Likes: 18 Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Age of slicks I don't know if there is any truth to it, but I have heard that some of the additives that were once used in tire compounds to prevent dry rot have been outlawed by the EPA. My past experience would support that theory.