Help! I ran over a wad of gum, and can't get it out of the treads!
 

What is the preferred method for dealing with the sticky slimy gooey mess of gum embedded in the fine-grained tread of my Vittoria Adventure Trail tire? I've tried soapy water and toothpicks, but this stuff is being recalcitrant and the fwip...fwip...fwip noise is starting to drive me bonkers. My Search-Fu wasn't up to the task, and I only got info on cleaning gum wall tires instead...

A 50-mile ride over gravel would probably do it. Or you could just try any solvent you have around -- vinegar, WD-40, acetone, goof-off, etc.

Years ago I used carbon tetrachloride, which was a magical solvent for gum (and most other things), but alas a carcinogen. WD-40 would be my best guess now.

I think to get gum out of hair (kids!🙄), you freeze it with ice cubes. This “hardens” it to the point that you can chip it off. Try deflating the tire, freezing the gum with ice and flexing the tire to see if the gum will come out in pieces

Ice and a pick or freeze off


https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/...f-of-anything/

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

WD 40 works perfectly

Or the simple "fix". Ride the bike over some dust. Repeat later if needed. Gum's no longer sticky' Ignore it. It won't last as long as the tread around it.

When I was a kid in the '60s, lighter fluid was the go-to solvent for gum.

Standard home remedies. Cooking oil (Pam spray is convenient), peanut butter, ice

WD40 and a toothpick. Works like a charm on shoe soles too.

Put the tire in the freezer?

Peanut butter will eventually dissolve it.

Anything oily: peanut butter, olive oil, peanut oil, butter, lard, WD-40, Goo Gone.

Or park it outside for awhile. Ants and other critters will nibble it away.

Just take care not to get WD-40, cooking oil, etc. onto the brake track.

DON'T EVER turn a Can-O-Air upside down, because the liquid comes out so cold it will freeze your fingers and damage them.

Barry

Ride it? :rolleyes:

Thanks for the help. I have no peanut butter on hand, and the cooking oil has gone rancid, so WD-40 seems to be what I will try next

This is a giant cliff hanger. I can't wait to hear how it turns out.

This is the perfect job for rancid cooking oil, unless you plan on re-using the gum :)

Perfect use for it then, if it is no good for cooking try it on the gum.

Peanut butter is for eating anyway It is a shame people use it elsewhere, I prefer a big ole' spoon of it and maybe a nice cool glass of grape juice and I am happy.

This. Just ride the bike. I bet the gum is not going to stick for long.

^ that's what came to mind - like getting gum out of hair maybe lol.