How to store tyres with and without rims, and what to treat the rubber with

To store tyres properly, keep them clean and dry in a cool, dark, dry place away from heaters, sunlight, fuel and solvents. Wheels on rims are stacked flat or hung by the rim; tyres without rims stand upright and are turned from time to time. Before storage, wash and dry the wheels and treat the sidewalls with tyre shine: it stops the rubber drying out while the wheels are stored between seasons.

What you need

Black tyre shine, 400 ml

For rubber and plastic

Cleaner for brake system, 400 ml

For brake components

Why rubber deteriorates in storage

Rubber ages from UV light, heat and dry air: the outer layer loses its elasticity and develops a network of fine cracks. Fuel, oils and solvents damage it, and dirt and de-icing chemicals left on the sidewalls speed up ageing. Tyres without rims can deform under their own weight if they lie stacked for months or always rest on the same spot.

How to store tyres — step by step

1. Mark each wheel's position. Note with chalk or a sticker where each wheel was fitted, so you can refit or rotate them later.
2. Wash and dry the wheels. Rinse dirt, salt and de-icing chemicals off the tyres and rims, including the sidewalls and the tread. Put the wheels away completely dry.
3. Clean brake dust off the rims. NANOPROTECH Cleaner for brake system removes ingrained brake dust and oil stains from wheel rims, including aluminium, lacquered and chrome ones. Spray it on, let the dirty solution run off and leave the rim to dry; do not flood the tyre rubber with it.
4. Treat the sidewalls. Shake the can of NANOPROTECH Black tyre shine and spray a thin, even coat on the dry sidewalls. Keep it off the tread: the silicone film makes it slippery. Wipe any runs with a clean cloth; no buffing is needed.
5. Let the coat dry. Store the wheels when the coating leaves no mark on a tissue. Drying time depends on coat thickness, temperature and air flow: a thin coat with no excess dries faster and collects less dust.
6. Store the wheels the right way. Keep wheels on rims flat in a stack or hung by the rim on hooks or a bracket. Stand tyres without rims upright in a row and turn them from time to time; do not keep them stacked for long.
7. Choose the place. A dry garage, storeroom, damp-free cellar or enclosed balcony out of direct sunlight will do, away from radiators, heaters, fuel cans, oils and solvents. Covers keep off dust and light.
8. Inspect the tyres before fitting. Check the sidewalls and tread for cracks, cuts and bulges, and after fitting, set the pressure specified by the car manufacturer.

Why it may not work

• The tyre shine dries slowly and collects dust. The coat was probably too thick. Apply it thinly and wipe off the excess with a cloth.
• The product got on the tread. Wipe it off at once with a clean cloth: on the tread the silicone film makes the surface slippery.
• The rubber cracked anyway. Tyre shine prevents drying out but does not fill cracks or cuts. Tyres that cracked in the sun or by a radiator should be checked at a tyre shop.
• Tyres without rims have deformed. They lay stacked for too long or were never turned. Store them upright and turn them from time to time.

Safety precautions

• Both cans are pressurised and the products are flammable. Do not spray them near open flames, hot objects or live electrical equipment, heat the cans above 50 °C or leave them in direct sunlight.
• Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. In case of eye contact, rinse with water; on skin, wash with soap and water.
• Keep tyre shine off the tread, brake discs and pads. Spray the brake cleaner on cooled brakes and rims, never hot ones.
• Do not pierce or burn the cans, even when empty, and keep them out of the reach of children.

Frequently asked questions