MTFCA Forum

I know this subject has been on before, but just wanted to get more details as I really don't remember.
The question is has anyone had WHITE non-skid tires on their cars, and if so, about how many miles did you get on them? I recall hearing that even the black non skids weren't all that great, but just curious if white's are even worse, as I suspect they may be. Thanks.

Yes they are. My brief fling with white tires involved NOS Firestones, so it was unsatisfactory. They were gorgeous, but too old to last long. New ones would be better. But my reading on Model T tires tells me that even new NON-SKID will not last as long as some other treads, and white ones are worse. If your car isn't driven much, go ahead. But for any serious Model T travel they are a bad choice. Did I mention that white ones are even worse?

I believe the white tires wear faster than the black ones. In general, more aggressive tread patterns, like the non-skid, will wear faster than less aggressive patterns. Adding lampblack to the white rubber increased durability and reduced sun damage. In the case of modern repro tires, they are probably made of modern synthetic rubber compounds and they may wear a good deal less rapidly than the early, natural rubber tires did. In the 1920s, 10,000 miles was considered good performance for a tire. Good repro tires on today's roads will generally last longer if handled carefully. (It may be that white tires are still made from natural rubber (?)) in which case they may wear faster than other comparable tires.

...And Steve speaks from experience.

I bought 4 white Non-Skids about 4 or 5 years ago (right after the problem of "yellowing" was declared, solved). I have driven them 200-300 miles per year, and have not noticed an abnormal amount of wear. However, all my driving is on paved roads, in Illinois.

Perhaps a consideration that I think still exists for white tires...
My car is in a garage, facing outwards. The garage door is open very infrequently, but about a year ago I noticed that the two tires nearest the door are slightly yellowed, while the two tires on the rear of the car are whiter. The orientation of the garage does not allow for direct sunlight to hit the front two tires, so I am at a loss to explain the difference. The color difference is not gigantic, but it is enough that some people notice and ask me about it when I am out driving around. I have tried whitewall bleach to remove the discoloration on the two front tires, but they are still discolored.
Regards,
Mike

Thanks all. Pretty much what I figured, I was hoping of course someone was out there that said "oh yeh, they'll hold up"!!
Reason I'm asking is Coker actually has the white non-skids for a "mere $309" (like half price) ....a mere $45 more than I paid for the last white ribbed from them. Also free shipping. All other white tires are unobtanium at this point. Becoming a dilemma. Last white ribbed I bought were something like even more than these Non-Skids on sale! So, is a tire that won't last as long worth the trouble at half its price, come July next season my rear ribbed will need replaced, front tires will make it til the end of next season. Conundrum. As Cal Hockely once said while the Titanic was sinking.... "What to do, what to do?" BTW, I drive Clara my '13 well over 2,000 miles a year.

Indirect sun can yellow or fade sensitive materials. Anything that generates ozone, like a brush type electric motor or a welder, may affect rubber.
I don't know if exhaust fumes or gasoline fumes would affect white tires, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. All tires seem to bleed a substance which makes them look soiled, and which is hard to remove. Black inner tubes or liners might contribute to a white tire yellowing. New tires and tubes give off a very strong odor, which might affect white rubber.

From what I've read these are the best clincher tyres currently available.



Some people may object to the incorrect modern (1922) tread. I don't.

If those prices are from 1922, a tire must have cost a day's wages (or more)!

The inflation calculator indicated the cheapest 30x3-1/2” at $10.95 equates to $205.00 in today’s purchasing power.

Jones in Aiken SC wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 5:23 pm

If those prices are from 1922, a tire must have cost a day's wages (or more)!

Well looks like it was a few days wages from "Union Scale of Wages and Hours of Labor, May 15, 1922 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/doc ... 5_1923.pdf

Tim, I just checked the Coker site and Ya the White NonSkids are lots cheaper than the Black NonSkids at over $400. Plus each. If I didn't alread have two new rear I would go for the White NonSkids! I do drive a lot and on the freeways preferably but we get the NonSkids for the look and you can't beat the Whites! I've always used black NonSkids on the front and ya they don't wear that well but that just the price of admission. I do run Dyna beads for balance though! Those whites are a real steal...

At half the price,worth the risk of lesser mileage and they will look so nice on the 13".