Does anyone know if it's possible to freshen up or even restore the rubber tires on Transformers particularly G1 cars or Binaltechs/Alternators? If at all possible, what type of solution are you using? (I'm looking for a long term solution vs just soap & water)
Real Cute... Anyway I don't know bro, It would be interesting to find out.... but It seems rough because If I know anything about rubber, is there is oil in it.... and the oil either has seeped out or evaporated, or just dried out. I don't know for sure... but I think it would be better if there was a way to just replace them vs Restoring them.
That's what I was thinking too, about the oil factor. I'm wondering if using baby oil with them might do anything. I should experiment. The tire quality in question that I have are the ones that still look visually fresh for the most part, but upon close inspection they are actually drying out and are ashy. (Once they are in a cracked state, they are a lost cause.)
Caig Laboratories CaiKleen RBR Liquid Rubber Cleaner and Rejuvenator Needle Dispenser | RBR100L-25C (RBR100L25C) | Caig Laboratories This is the shiznit for fixing hardened rubber tires or other rubber items. when i was a repair tech for VCR's and Audio tape decks in the 90's this is what we used to fix rubber idler pulleys that were slipping or not engaging with the correct amount of force ... CAUTION: smells like ASS and you need to use in a well ventilated area...apply to the rubber item and allow it to dry completely. should not hurt paint...used it in audio components and it did nothing to the paint...and it does not hurt plastic either....
Hmmm. Interesting. May have to play with that at some point. I did just inspect some old tires on some of my toys closely, and sure enough while they are in great shape- they do feel very hard and are missing that softness they used to have.
Anyone know of something to maintain rubber tires on masterpiece figures....I just saw one recently but don't remember where I saw it...any help on this would be greatly appreciated..thanks
Its not restoring, but I've just flat out replaced worn rubber tires on G1 toys and have had some luck actually finding tire lots on Ebay. Junkers are an option too if you can't get the tires separately.
Here's what I use for my MPs Amazon.com: einszett 914806 'Gummi Pflege Stift' Rubber Care Stick - 3.4 fl. oz: Automotive
Recent youtube review for this product on toy rubber, including mp10. Protect your toy rubber on Transformers, chogokin…: Protect your toy rubber on Transformers, chogokin and more with Gummi Pflege Stift - YouTube
DO NOT use oil on your TF figures' rubber tires, they will melt or get warped. Even the rubber parts of a car's engine are compromised when oil gets to them (e.g. timing belt).
^I've had different results. Wd-40 Saturate and let dry. Then repeat. It won't repair cracks, but it will restore the rubber if its not too far gone.
Thanks guys....i have not seen any issues with my mp10....but with all the cracking tires i just want to keep my mp10 in top shape....
If the rubber is physically cracked, or it's rotted away putting anything on it won't spontaneously regenerate it. All rubber will eventually decay, also it's not like they use industrial strength long lasting rubber on toy tires.
Oh, WD-40 is safe since it is water displacing. Ordinary oil can damage rubber though. A Friend uses Armor All on TF rubber tires and says it's good. He also uses it on the soles of his Nike collection to prevent them from cracking.
Two years ago I spent a day with a bowl of armor all and a q tip and did the tires of my whole collection. They looked good afterwards!
I know I’m reviving an older thread, but for those that have used Armor All within the last few years, how has it held up and how often would you recommend re-applying it? I’ve only ever used it as originally intended (on my cars’ tires) and don't know how the rubber tires on figures like MP-10 or MP-22 would react to it over time.
Rubber tires on toys isnt even remotely the same as the rubber on car tires. There is no way to stop the rubber on toys from breaking down. Just like theres no way to stop the g1 shockwave rubber from breaking down and cracking. Blame the air we breathe for that, blame the humidity, the heat pretty much everything assists in rubber aging quicker on toys whether it transformers or any other toy made from soft plastics, rubber or silicone. It all ages and breaks down the same way. Dust is also a factor. Rubber is a huge dust magnet.
