Being the fleet owner, you know how expensive maintenance affairs can turn out to be. Despite sticking to smart driving habits, you eventually end up with the truck tires undergoing wear and tear. Well, we understand that you would be looking for viable ways to save your bucks. Tire retreading happens to be one of the best ways, where you can slash off the costs of replacing your tires significantly. Retreading refers to the process where the treads are replaced, provided the tire has enough solid rubber.
The process of tire retreading
The tire retreading process involves the removal of a worn tire casing, which still carries a sound structural quality. The sidewall rubber and tread are renewed in such tires to enhance their durability. Then the revamped tire undergoes a curing process, where the new materials is set into the original casing. In the process, the tire gets a new tread pattern, surrounding the existing solid underlying rubber.
Tire retreading takes place through two main processes. These are:
- Hot retreading: The hot retreading technique is deployed when the tires must be put into the right shape. Here, a mold is heated to 150 degrees C. When the tires are vulcanized at such high temperatures, the tire shape and treads change their shape.
- Cold retreading: Despite this nomenclature, cold retreading involves heat. The truck tires are heated over 100 degrees C. In this process, no molds are necessary. However, tire liners are used in the cold retreading process.
Different steps involved in tire retreading
The tire retreading process involves five key steps, as demonstrated below:
- Inspecting the tires
Not all damaged or worn off tires are suitable for retreading. During the inspection process, the reputed service providers examine whether the treads can be reinstalled. Apart from manually inspecting the tires, the professionals deploy a technology called ‘Laser Digital Shearography’. The entire tire is scanned through laser to identify the intricate damages.
- Bluffing the tires
Tire bluffing refers to a stage where the experts cut out some of the areas of the tires. They take out or remove undesirable elements to enhance the tread flexibility. This process enables the professionals to remove the tread blocks from tires covering the portion between the tread grooves and rubber. The use of computerized machines at this stage ensures that the tires remain functionally sound.
- Repairing the tires
At this stage, the experts find out the cause leading to damages in the tires. They treat the tires in such a way, that they would not experience such damage in future. For instance, they pass high-voltage electricity through the tires to identify small holes. With these issues fixed, tires regain their strength.
- Building
The professional service providers deploy computerized machines to enhance the tire’s natural properties. At this stage, they add certain materials to the casing. The use of computers eliminates any possible human error while enhancing these tires.
- Curing the tires
At this stage, heat is used to determine the quality of the rubber in the tire. In the process, the professionals find out whether the tire is vulnerable.
- Final inspection
This is the ultimate stage of the retreading process, where the experts determine whether the tire is ready to be used on the road. They carry out several inspections, ensuring that no imperfection exists on the tire. If spotted, they are eliminated instantly. They also carry out the inflation test and tactile inspection test to detect possible flaws.
Once the tires clear all these tests, the retreading process is initiated. Retreading of tires is safe for trucks and other vehicles. However, make sure to consult an established service provider. Experience counts, so there’s no substitute for seeking retreading services from a reputed truck tire repair company.
