Retreading in Willcox, AZ

A nail in a truck tire is a routine problem. How it is repaired decides whether that tire can be retreaded later.

A proper puncture repair on a commercial tire is done from the inside. The tire comes off the wheel, the damage is inspected inside and out, the injury is cleaned and filled, and a patch is bonded to the inner liner. That seals the tire and keeps moisture out of the structure.

A quick plug pushed in from the outside, without the tire coming off, may stop the leak. It does not show what happened inside the tire, and it can leave a path for moisture into the steel cords of the casing. Steel that rusts inside a casing weakens it, and the damage often only appears when the casing is inspected for retreading, at which point it is rejected.

Have punctures repaired properly, with the tire off the wheel, even when a quick plug would get the unit moving.

If a temporary fix was used on the road, follow it up. Bring the tire in for a proper repair at the next opportunity rather than leaving the plug in for the rest of its life.

Keep a note of repairs. A casing with a properly repaired injury in the right area is usually still a candidate. One with an unknown history is harder to judge.

A tire that runs a long way flat after a puncture is a different matter. The sidewall damage from that is often worse than the puncture itself, and it frequently ends the casing.

This store works with Purcell's retreading program. Casings are collected here in Willcox, retreaded at the Phoenix retread plant, and returned ready to run.

Retreading fits naturally with a fleet account, and agricultural and equipment casings from OTR work can be assessed for the same program.

Tucson and Casa Grande also collect casings.

The Willcox store carries all nine Purcell tire categories and is managed by Mark Laster.

See the national retreading page for how the program works and for all 54 collecting locations.