Retreading is dependable, better for budgets and environmentally-friendly. In 10 expedient stages, the process is complete, and you are back on the road.
The first step of our retreading process begins with a thorough visual examination of the tyre to be retreaded (or casing), followed by a NDT inspection by using a nail hole detector to detect nail holes which are too small for human eye to notice.
After the initial inspection, the tyre is sent for shearography inspection, or more commonly known as X-ray inspection, where laser light is beamed onto the casing and information is relayed back to a computer. Any internal injury of the casing is recorded to determine the retreadability of the casing.
We take the integrity of the casing so seriously that we send the casing for third round of inspection, which is high pressure testing. By inflating the casing to a high pressure, we check if there is any bulges or deformities of the casing to be sure that the casing to be retreaded will stand any tough environmental conditions in its application.
After the inspection is complete, the surface of the casing is removed in a process known as buffing. The casing is uniformly buffed using a matrix template to ensure proper matching of buffed crown contour with matrix tread contour and overall diameter.
After buffing, any loose rubber, ply and injury on the surface is removed by skiving to ensure the surface is of a uniform smooth texture, free from moisture, loose cords and foreign matter.
All injuries identified during initial inspection will be removed and the casing will be repaired with material which are structurally sound, giving new life to the casing.
A layer of cement is then applied onto the buffed surface to provide adhesion to the cushion gum which will be applied in the next step.
Cushion gum is then applied onto the surface to provide the buffed surface with a tackiness, which will hold the applied tread rubber closely and firmly to the buffed surface until it is cured.
Tread rubber is then uniformly and precisely attached to the buffed surface.
Finally, the casing with the tread rubber on is sent into a chamber (or autoclave) to be cured under high temperature and pressure. This will ensure the tread rubber is securely adhered to the casing. The retread is complete at this stage, and the tyre will be inspected for quality control.