Spare Tire Cover

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Any innovative ideas for an inexpensive spare tire cover out there? I want to cover my spare tire to protect it from UV but don't want to spend more money than the ratty old tire is worth

[kmclemore]

Heavy-duty black plastic leaf bag and a piece of twine?

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Thanks guy, that would certainly be in the inexpensive category And I was just about to try the suggestion, but then I got to thinking that it would probably trap moisture inside and rust out the wheel even worse than it already is (one of the reasons I just got two new galvanized rims).

Guess I'll just have to get one of those standard black vinyl covers you see on the back of jeeps. Seems like they cost 20-50 bucks depending on whether you want a football team logo on them or not. It will still get trashed in the Florida sun after a while, but better to sacrifice that instead of the tire.

[Frank C]

Dimitri,

Same problem, multiplied by two ... how do you protect the tires on the ground?

I partially fool myself that the problem is very much different. It's parked in a dry storage lot with a keeled sailboat parked both to the East and West, so I figure the tires on the ground are mostly in the shade!

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I've seen RV tires with covers on as they are parked in the numerous RV lots down here in Florida, so obviously people think about it. I know that some of the armour-all type sprays have special additives for U/V protection. Essentially, it is sunscreen for tires. Actually, I just looked at my armourall and it says it protects against U/V. There are some other products on the market now that say that too ("2000 something" or "something 2000" comes to mind). Ever since my first set of tires dry rotted, I've been trying to spray down my new tires whenever I think of it (every few months) but I still doubt its as good as a sacrificial cover.

[jklightner]

There is a product called "303" that is good for tires. I use this. As to a inexpensive (cheap) cover while on the ground, a neighbor uses trash can lids and bungee cords. I even think he "liberated" them from the neighborhood. I think that will qualify as cheap.

[Frank C]

... a neighbor uses trash can lids and bungee cords. I even think he "liberated" them from the neighborhood. I think that will qualify as cheap .

[kmclemore]

...I know that some of the armour-all type sprays have special additives for U/V protection. Essentially, it is sunscreen for tires.

Just as a side note, there's a *big* debate amongst the classic and antique car enthusiasts regarding ArmorAll. I believe the concern is that it contains a type of alcohol that very quickly dries out the oils and/or plasticisers in materials, and as a result will end up doing just the opposite of its inteneded use - it will cause plastic to prematurely crack, particularly when exposed to the sun as that hastens the evaporation. Classic car owners have seen this happen most often with their dashboard pads, and the advice of many is not to ever let that stuff touch their cars.

Those that wish to have that a 'glossy & rich' look on their plastics have been using a very light film of ......now., wait for it ....... Vaseline!

Yep, believe it or not, the old-faithful stuff your mum rubbed on your soft little pink bum when you were neigh but a flower bud!

HERE'S one source for more information, over on the Nissan Z club..... and HERE'S the material data sheet... it's interesting to read the document that links when you click on "Mineral oil, white" down at the bottom of the page.