The Bandag Process

This is so labour intensive how do they possibly compete with brand new Chinese tyres?

Hi Lang
I notice the tyre is a Bridgestone in my view a close second to Michelin. Bridgestone have a buy back arrangement form memory about $20.00 per tyre this mens a saving on the new tyre of $40.00 when you factor in the cost of disposal. While we don't recap and have a contract with Michelin I would take a recapped Bridgestone before a Chinese tyre.
Given the low cost of the case even factoring in the cost for the tyre to be dumped and the risk of separation because of the repair I think the repair may have more to do with showing how extensive the inspection and repair is undertaken during the process.
Rex

I did notice how relaxed the process was being done for the demonstration of the video and nearly all retreaders do the same process but most likely with lesser equipment. I would think that when in production not as much time would be put into the process as shown.

Bandag is owned By Bridgestone ..Hence the Buyback Deal on their cases.

A Bandag Recap will wear better & last Longer than Most (if not All) Chinese Tyres.. On a Cents per Km basis they are(last time I worked It out) about half a cent pre Km cheaper than buying Chinese Tyres wearing them out & throwing them away.!
However you need to put a concerted & focused effort into you Tyre maintenance & Management to make Recapping a worthwhile Proposition ..
Most Blokes Couldn't be Bothered..

They didn’t mention how back in the day, one letter would be scrubbed off the name after each Bandag.
Dad had some old Michies with no name left.
After that they came back with NWR burnt into the sidewall. (Not worth retreading)

Also Jeffo, Bandag Grind the Word "regroovable" off the Case. As that only applied to the Original Tread..

There used to be a Gentleman at Marulan who Loved to write you up for Regrovving retreads..

The inspection process shown in the video is space age stuff compared to what was done when tyres had tubes.
Michelin’s used to develop the most amazing crack around the flex area of the sidewall. You could even see the steel in there with really old Bandags.
Once the cheap Jap tyres arrived, you could buy a new Yoko cheaper than a Bandag, so you stayed on new cases.
A stake would ruin a Michelin just as well as a Yoko.
Memory might be fading but I thought they were originally in a pokey little joint on Coronation Drive in Brisy.
Moved out to Rocklea in the late 60’s.