Used R compounds

[7plymaple]

Hello everyone. I was wandering if R compounds get less sticky over the winter. Will I be wasting money if I pick up a set of used ones?

Thanks.

Simon

[Nissan Racer]

Conventional wisdom is, yes, they will not be as good. However I know Robb Smith turned his fastest laps at Mosport on 3 year old Toyo's...So I think if they have been heat cycled and are in good shape, it probably will be Ok.
I also used a year old pair of Kumhos at the DDT and a couple of Solo II events, and they seemed as good as new.

[Keith-02Accord]

I've also heard that if they are stored outside, the compound will harden.

[AcidGord]

Yeah, definitely don't let them freeze.

[Nissan Racer]

lol...both sets of tires I refered to were allowed to freeze.

[soloZ]

All of my tires have been frozen. They still grip better then a street tire, so I was happy.

[Greg F]

Hmm, just don't drive them in winter, unless you like to feel what 800 hp might be like. No grip under light power at all!

[malcolm]

I had an experience like that once... I had some used Hankook F1600 R-compound tires on my MR2, and when I awoke and wanted to head off to swim practice at 6am, I realized it was hailing. Downhill braking was quite the interesting experience, especially when the rear wheels lock and the engine stalls... Fun times... :P

As for the used R-comp tires, as long as they are reasonably priced, go for it. Keep them in your basement when you get them, and they should stay soft. You can go extreme and wrap them in saran wrap, and put them in light-proof bags, but if you're going to that effort, you might as well get new ones... ;)

[ShaneG]

Crap, I thought you were offering them:eek:

[miataboi]

Originally posted by 7plymaple
Hello everyone. I was wandering if R compounds get less sticky over the winter. Will I be wasting money if I pick up a set of used ones?

Thanks.

Simon

Simon...
I've got 2 VERY GOOD 225/45/15 Hoosier A3S03's that have been used for 3 events... - kept this off-season in my "tire room" which is climate controlled! :D

Still in GREAT shape... not much wear at all...

I think this is your weapon of choice... correct?
Being that you drive a FWD car... you may be in the market for 2 more???

If so... and you wanna pick up a pair used...

HOLLA! ;)
ÿÿ

[DareBee]

HEY BOI

You need those tires if you have any intention of wuppin Ray and me!

As far as old rubber goes. Oxygen and ultraviolet light deteriorate rubber. Best way to store rubber is in a vacuum sealed bag out of direct light.
Being a cheap SOB I often run old and/or used tires and believe me the vacuum sealing really helps. A good treatment of LMT upon removal from storage helps as well.

[Cliff96]

LMT? whats that?

Thnks
Cliff

[DareBee]

Its a brand name.
Stands for last minut treatment.
Comes in a can. You wipe it on your tires and it softens the compound. They claim (I assume testing done on a road course) gain tenths per lap. Directions also claim poor a can into the inside of new tires when mounting and it will seep through for a more long term affect.
All I know is that with my old skins it seems to soften them up. I have never done any testing on the stuff or used it on new tires but I do use it when the tires start hardeneing up.
LMT is somewhat expensive and so are tires so I tend to try and not crap out my tires untill they start to lose their edge.

[miataboi]

Originally posted by DareBee
HEY BOI

You need those tires if you have any intention of wuppin Ray and me!


WOW... I'm impressed! I can only HOPE to keep that kind of competitive fire burning..... when I'm your age....

[7plymaple]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I actually sold my Hoosiers and Im just considering all my options.

[DareBee]

WHY YOU LITTLE WHUPPER SNAPPER!

[max attack]

GRM tested a tire softener in the track tire test a couple of years ago,worked to change the durometer rating of an old tire and to improve lap times to nearly that of a fresh tire.
Only tested in a road race type deal-no autox times to compare improvements.