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The Nelson Photo News

 

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New Tyres from Old

Motoring can be a pretty hazardous business in these days of high-powered vehicles, and many motorists fail to realise that between them and what could be a nasty accident is but a strip of rubber. New tyres are costly and there are few motorists today who do not have their old tyres re-treaded rather than fit new ones to their vehicles. We covered the retreading business in a story several years ago, but major advances in the processing of tyres in recent years prompted us to take another more modern look at one of Nelson's newest and most thriving of industries. Firestone is an international name and we soon learned that rigid standards of retreading to an international standard, in fact are set by the company. Gone are the days when a visual inspection is all that was required before a tyre was judged by its soundness for retreading. In this photo story we will follow the tyre from the time it arrives in a very worn condition (RIGHT) to the time it emerges with a new tread. Working at Right are Rod Yarrall and Ian Jacobsen. The pic Below is of the company's factory.

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After a first inspection, tubeless tyres are tested with air needles to ascertain if they are sound enough to remain "tubeless". The air is "injected" under pressure (120 lb) into the casing (Above). The interior of the tyre is then washed with a soapy solution and any holes are betrayed by bubbles (Top Centre). The tyre at Top Right had a bad air leak between the wail and the tread and was dangerous.

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After adhesive solution is applied, Jim Allen uses a machine to build the new rubber on to the casing. The little wheel at the top follows a white line so that the rubber is applied straight.

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Surplus tread is buffed off the tyre by Benny Su to leave a good base for the new rubber

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The new rubber is then rolled on to the casing, a series of rollers ensuring the rubber follows the tyre contours and eradicates air bubbles.

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A special process is used to inflate the tyre as it goes into the mould, ensuring that the pressure within the mould is evenly distributed during the curing process (the tyre is being put into the mould under a hydraulic press here).

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The tyre, inside the mould, is ready for curing.

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A battery of tyre moulds of various sizes

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After curing, the tyre (with new tread) emerges from the mould.

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A final trim, a paint, and the tyre is ready for the road.