Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Tugs and Towing => Topic started by: Peter T on December 24, 2008, 03:16:11 pm

Title: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: Peter T on December 24, 2008, 03:16:11 pm
Hi, I have a "Southampton" RTR tug (i.e. the Wyeforce) which was branded "Hobby Engine" but looks very similar to the Graupner RTR model.  I've rewired it for separate motor control.  However, after a period of neglect I got it off the shelf to install a 2.4GHz receiver only to discover that the tyre fenders were exuding an oily substance.  Anyone know what it might be... and is it harmful to the boat (or me!)?  Anyone had the same problem? The model has been used on fresh water and on salt water on the River Itchen (after all Wyeforce was/is an Itchen Marine Tug).
Thanks,
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: BobF on December 24, 2008, 04:27:59 pm
Hi,
Are the tyres falling apart, or is it just on the surface?
If it's just the surface, then it could be the oily effect caused by the salt in the salt water when it evaporated.
If you leave table salt on plain paper, it will leave an oily mark etc.
You could try washing one of the tyres in fresh water to see if this stops the problem.
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: tugs46 on December 24, 2008, 04:28:53 pm
...Hmmmmm.... :o

I have one also, but never installed the tires, in favor of fender 'D' rubber.
Has you boat been in direct sunlight for periods of time??
Could be Silicon from the tire material???

I can send you my tires (still in the bag) if you like :-). You just pay the postage from Canada.

...Cheers...
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: meechingman on December 25, 2008, 07:18:12 pm
My Southie's been well used for the past 3 years, sailing at Eastbourne where the water is best described as brackish. Her tyres may be a bit grubby (on purpose) but no deterioration. I have 20 of the same tyres on my other tug, again with no problems.

Maybe a dodgy batch of tyres that's reacting as has been suggested above?

Andy
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: Peter T on December 27, 2008, 11:05:05 am
Hi folks,
Thanks for your suggestions...

BobF, no they are not falling apart, I'm not sure about the salt idea, the last few times it was previously used was on fresh water and the tyres tend to get a good washingfrom the bow wave etc.;

tugs46, I'd like to take up that offer, could you tell me the postage and how best for me to pay it... the boats been in partial sunlight and it could well be silicone oozing from the tyres;

meechingman, that suggests it's more likely to be exposure to sunlight rather than water!

Cheers,
Peter
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: tugs46 on December 27, 2008, 04:39:39 pm
Hi Peter:

Send me your mailing adress via PM, and I'll find out how much, OK?

...Cheers...
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: Peter T on December 28, 2008, 03:12:42 pm
Actually, while using my Southampton (aka Wyeforce)  tug at the pond today. a club member suggested that oil coming from tyres on a tugboat was possibly a new advance in model boat realism!
Cheers,
Peter
(p.s.  there's lots of pics of our tugs at http://srcmbc.org.uk/photo_galleries/gi_tugs.php )
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: tugs46 on December 29, 2008, 11:03:36 pm
Great pictures on that link Peter!, and wonderfull models :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: dash8man on January 20, 2009, 10:53:08 pm
Tires on the side of my Odin Tug would actually stick a little to the hull side. Could never figure out why. Paint on hull was definitely cured. Sounds like now it could be caused by a chemical in the tires themselves. Interesting. Cheers.
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: tugs46 on January 24, 2009, 04:54:21 pm
Hi Peter:
Have you recieved the tires I sent ya??


Mike
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: Peter T on January 25, 2009, 07:47:28 am
Hi Mike,
was about to mail you, they came yesterday (Sat 24th), thanks very much;  I'll stick some dollars in the mail!
Cheers,
Peter
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: tugs46 on January 26, 2009, 12:06:47 am
Cheers Peter 8)
Good to see they went to the right adress!
The first try...I guess my S looked too much like a 5 :embarrassed:

Glad to be of help.


Mike
Title: Re: Tyre fenders deteriorating!
Post by: Jonty on January 26, 2009, 11:54:10 am
  I had the same thing happen to the tonneau cover on a Franklin Mint Mercedes model. In the end it just disintegrated - no salt water needed!