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Wear and tear can wreak havoc on Power Wheels tires, and there is usually nothing that you can do to prevent it. Plastic will deteriorate over time when exposed to the elements. Power Wheels tires are typically made of thick plastic and can take quite the beating, so instead of worrying about buying a new set of tires each time, you can learn how to fix power wheels tires yourself.
There are many ways that you can repair a Power Wheels tire when it becomes cracked or gets holes in it, such as:
- Using plastic glue
- Patch the holes with putty sealant
- Use epoxy to fill in the gaps
Depending on how bad the damage is, however, you may need to replace the Power Wheels tire.
Finding cracks and holes in your child's Power Wheel can be a little frustrating, especially when you factor in how much the toy cost. Thankfully there are ways to try to repair the tire before needing to replace it. Read on to find out exactly how you can repair your child's Power Wheel tires.
How to Fix & Repair Power Wheels Tires with Cracks or Holes
There are a few ways to fix your child's Power Wheels tires when they start to show signs of wear and tear. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to take on by yourself. Let's look at the different methods to repair the plastic wheels of the toy.
Is There a Plastic Bonder I Can Use?
You can use a plastic bonder to fill in the cracks that may form on the tires. The bonder comes in two separate tubes that, when mixed, start to set in just 15 minutes, so you will want to work quickly. It takes 30 hours to cure, so your child will need to stay off the Power Wheels for that time.
This bonder is very strong and dries black, which is the color of almost every Power Wheels tire on the market. It is very easy to use with cracks in tires as it can drip down into every crack easily. Because it is extremely strong, it will not fall off or allow the tire to crack further.
Putty Sealants Are Another Option
PlasticWeld is a mixable epoxy putty type of sealant that will form a very strong bond after being mixed. To use the putty to seal the cracks, you simply:
- Mix the two different putties
- Stuff the putty into the cracks and keep pressing to make sure it completely fills the cracks/holes
- Smooth it out as much as you can.
- Work quickly before it starts to cure
- Wait for the putty to fully set up and cure
- After it is set, you can sand it to match the rest of the tire
The putty can be used in many ways to fix tons of different plastic items around your house. It is a good idea to use gloves when mixing the putty and a mask if you plan to sand the putty.
The best thing to buy when needing to repair plastic wheels will be something that can fill the cracks. Don't just try to glue the cracks back together.
Rubber Tires Compared to Plastic Tires
It is very easy to fix Power Wheels tires, but over time depending on the terrain and climate, they will need to be replaced. When you replace Power Wheels tires, upgrade them to rubber, which will last much longer than the stock plastic.
The rubber tires are still very affordable, yet the rubber will last longer. There are also many great benefits to trading the plastic Power Wheels tires in for rubber tires such as they:
- Can handle temperature changes easier
- Are not as loud on the pavement as plastic
- Provide better traction
- Won't crack as easily as plastic tires
If you have already filled in the cracks on your plastic tires with the methods above and more cracks have formed, it may be time to upgrade. You can find Power Wheel tires here. If you don't want to fully upgrade your tires, you can try a simple DIY hack.
If the Power Wheels wheel well/inner fender allows enough space, you can buy something like a Skid Surf. This can be attached using the sealants mentioned above, and it will help to hold the plastic tire together. It will also help create a better-looking surface that is more durable.
Fixing Power Wheels Tires
Repairing your child's Power Wheel tires does not take much time and effort. Your child will never know the difference, and it won't cost a lot of money.
If the stock tires continue to break or are beyond repair, you can easily find replacement Power Wheels tires online that are made of either plastic or rubber for a very low price.
