The Energon Pub

I need more detailed information on Transformers' rubber tires' tendency to crack over time.

You see, the 17th anniversary of my birth is approaching and I'm planning on taking advantage of the opportunity to finally acquire a Year of the Horse Optimus Prime, but lately I've seen some video reviews which suggest that the rubber tires, while cool, will in fact crack over time.

Is this true?

If so, is it fixable?

Please, I need information. Thank-you.

if you remove and armor all the rubber tires, (soak them for 5 min) then dry them with a towel they will not crack or dry for years... I have an entire set of g1 figures I soak once a year and they are still soft, supple rubber with flexibility. hope this helps you.

soak it with what may i ask?

VioMeTriX wrote:if you remove and armor all the rubber tires, (soak them for 5 min) then dry them with a towel they will not crack or dry for years... I have an entire set of g1 figures I soak once a year and they are still soft, supple rubber with flexibility. hope this helps you.

Okay, and removing them and putting them back is easily done without breaking anything?

You soak them in armor all. And removing the tires is safe

Okay, thank you.

Btw, I also cry every time I watch "Code of Hero".

As I have previously posted on the benefits of ArmorAll (wow, just imagine the untapped sales potential from all Transformers collectors)I wouldn't recommend "soaking" it because the stuff does have solvents that may eat through the material. Just spray it on the wheel part or in Shockwave's case, the hose and use a rag to spread it.

I also have used it on MP-01 energon axe and on Big Convoy's trunk.......it removed the sticky gunk on them.

Also on Fire Convoy and God Magnus.

How many times? Once a month or depending how dry the temperature is where you come from.

fenrir72 wrote:As I have previously posted on the benefits of ArmorAll (wow, just imagine the untapped sales potential from all Transformers collectors)I wouldn't recommend "soaking" it because the stuff does have solvents that may eat through the material. Just spray it on the wheel part or in Shockwave's case, the hose and use a rag to spread it.

I also have used it on MP-01 energon axe and on Big Convoy's trunk.......it removed the sticky gunk on them.

Also on Fire Convoy and God Magnus.

How many times? Once a month or depending how dry the temperature is where you come from.

Unfortunately, I live in California, which is about as dry as it gets in America short of living in Phoenix.

That being the case, once a month but do not soak the tires. Caution is still the name of the game as it's so d@mn hard to get replacement parts if they get damaged. In your case it's MP right?

Also mentioning the rubber tires for the Mini-spy/Penny racer G1 figs. Though in their case, the Choro Q tires make good replacements, some applications are warranted.

Additional tips:

You are after YOTH Optimus right? Well if the vendor you are purchasing it from, as in personal and not not online, check the tire panels on his shins. I got the Tomy MP-10. Though nearly perfect, I sort of got a "lemon" on 2 of his rear tires which were warped. Couldn't get a replacement anymore so inspect it first.

It may depends on what toy and what part of the worlsd you live in I guess. Because I got plenty of tires everywhere. Gobots, alternators, RID toys, MPs, even some MOVIE toys like Leader Optimus from The Movie and AoE.

So far, not a single crack to be seen, except on some Gobots with tires that were already cracked before receiving them. I dont put any treatment or care whatsoever and nothing cracked ever. Except G1 Shockwave's hose.

As long that you don't buy anything old with gold or bronze plastics, you should be fine. Go nuts and buy what you want!

I've never had an issue with cracked tires. I live in Pennsylvania, so the humidity might have something to do with that though.

And accept te fact tat our beloved collections will one day crack whether we like it or not.

Upon further research, I've found that these "rubber" tires are usually not rubber at all but a PVC plastic that has been treated with a plasticizer that gives it some of the properties of rubber but also the tendency to break down, shrink, and crack over time.