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Why don't tire manufacturers prescrub tires?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 80GS1000
  • Start date Start date
8

80GS1000

Guest
Just got a new front Pilot Power installed on the GSXR at lunch and was really careful while riding back to work. You have to "scrub in" new tires before pushing them since they come from the manufacturer with a slick release agent on them to get the new tire to pop out of the mold in the manufacturing process. This release agent in turn can make the tire slippery for a while before the release agent is worn off the tire. You have to slowly increase your lean angle, braking power, and throttle to get the goop off the tire without sliding around.

So the question is, why don't the tire manufacturers prescrub their tires before selling them? It would be a lot safer for the users (us) and then you wouldn't have to go through the hassle of breaking them in.

Is it because dark black and shiny sells?
 
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Maybe for look, as you mentioned, and maybe it's a protectant to increase shelf life?
 
I'd like to know the answer too. Just picked up the back last night from the shop with new Avon tires. Was also told that the tires are "waxy" and to take it easy for the first 100 miles 'til they're scrubbed.
 
Can ya scrub 'em down with soap and water (or whatever) instead of riding to scrub?
 
After they're mounted, I scrub down new tires with water and a bit of Simple Green or whatever, and scuff up the tread with a course Scotchbrite pad.

It's also a good way to get any excess mounting lube off the tire and wheel before it makes its way to the tread, and your last chance to easily clean the wheel before installation. Just don't get water into the bearings.

Of course, I have no idea how much good this does, but it makes me feel better. I'm still extremely conservative with new tires.

I used to scuff in new tires with several miles of blasting down gravel roads, but since I moved there aren't any gravel roads nearby.
 
I would think it's primarily for cost reasons. Tyre moulding like any other type of moulding that is not used in an assembly is what we call "shoot & ship". If someone had to stand there & scrub them down it would definitely increase the cost. Even automating it would add something.

I would think it's not that easy to remove either, it's likely deeper in the tyre than just a surface coat.

When I ran a moulding factory if the guys overdid it with the release agent you could actually have it leech back out of the plastics once they'd cooled.

How many miles you get out of that tyre? Can't have been many unless you've been riding like crazy since I saw you!

Dan :)
 
salty_monk said:
How many miles you get out of that tyre? Can't have been many unless you've been riding like crazy since I saw you!

Dan :)
Click to expand...

The front Michelin Pilot Power did just over 8000 miles, and the rear did just over 6000 miles. Amazing mileage IMO considering how sticky they are, and this was on the high HP GSXR 750. Thumbs up on that tire for sure. :D They handle great on the GS as well.
 
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A mold release solution is sprayed into the mold before each tire goes into it. If the tire uses vents (those stringy things), the vents are usually trimmed. A soap solution is used to lubricate the trim knife.

It would be easy to add another dollar or two to the manufacturing cost of a tire (usually only $25 or so for a tire that sells for $100+) if the tire were to be washed, lightly scuffed, and dried. When I worked in tire factories, neither mold release nor vent trimmer lube had any protective properties. So the answer is "cost".
 
I love the thrill of scrubbinn tyres in - chit - makes paying for them so often almost worth it....\\:D/

gets the back end real wiggly...:-D

dont scrub mine thx...:?
 
A little sandpaper will scuff them up nicely.
 
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Me also

Me also

bwringer said:
After they're mounted, I scrub down new tires with water and a bit of Simple Green or whatever, and scuff up the tread with a course Scotchbrite pad.

It's also a good way to get any excess mounting lube off the tire and wheel before it makes its way to the tread, and your last chance to easily clean the wheel before installation. Just don't get water into the bearings.

Of course, I have no idea how much good this does, but it makes me feel better. I'm still extremely conservative with new tires.

I used to scuff in new tires with several miles of blasting down gravel roads, but since I moved there aren't any gravel roads nearby.
Click to expand...

I do almost all the same stuff and also have no idea if I'm really doing any good.:-s
 
i

i

would like to say i just bought a new bridgestone.and it was slipery as hell i took a horse file put center stand first gear and ran the file on the sides..worked reall well ...
 
I just bring the new unmounted tire into the shower with me and scrub it with some sandpaper or scotch-brite pad, and some dish soap....BTW, last time I did a little before and after test with the tire on the tiled kitchen floor, and the wash/scrub made a difference.....yes, I can do these things bec I'm single \\:D/.

Tony.
 
Mysuzyq said:
I just bring the new unmounted tire into the shower with me and scrub it with some sandpaper or scotch-brite pad, and some dish soap....BTW, last time I did a little before and after test with the tire on the tiled kitchen floor, and the wash/scrub made a difference.....yes, I can do these things bec I'm single \\:D/.

Tony.
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Kinky......
 
The lubricant used in molding has nothing to do with the shelf life of the tire. It is actualy used more to make tool production cheaper (Such as cheaper, longer lasting molds, and faster production).

From a production point of view, I cannot see why an extra step to remove the slick layer shouldn't be added. it would be simply one additional step, if at all. A simple solutioin would be to use a mold lubricant that degraded quickly when exposed to oxigen in the air, or uv from sun light.

This is the kind of thing that Tire producers would probably like to know about as a complaint. Both producers looking for an edge over their compeditors, as well as industry regulators need to know that this is a problem.
 
BentRod said:
This is the kind of thing that Tire producers would probably like to know about as a complaint. Both producers looking for an edge over their compeditors, as well as industry regulators need to know that this is a problem.
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Come to think of it, it's quite surprising there are'nt any warnings/disclaimers on new tires, esp in these sue-happy times....even more surprising that there have'nt been any law suits (that I'm aware of)....I recall one of this forum's members going down on his 'busa due to the mold-release on the new shop-mounted tires.

Tony.
 
argonsagas said:
So that's what the 19 in the tire size means. :shock:


Braggart. :-D
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Me? You know me Ron, I'm a humble guy....19 could either be average or freakish, depending on the 'unit', as it were, of measurement....if we are talking inches, I think the handle 'Bent Rod' would have been spoken for, long ago.:-D

Tony.
 
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