Anyone use Glycerin for tire ballast?

[Surgeon]

I was thinking of diluting out glycerin (Bulk Vegetable Glycerin | Bulk Apothecary) and adding a 12 bottle of water pump lubricant to protect the rims (Bar's/Water pump lube and anti-rust (1311) | | AutoZone.com. ).

Based on this patent (Patent CA2643281A1 - Glycerin vehicle tire ballast - Google Patents) someone has had the idea but I have not seen a ready commercial source of it. It seems like a great idea too me.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Kind of pricey compared to other ballast options, but seems like a good idea from a strictly adding weight perspective.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Unless diluted to a watery consistency (what do you dilute it with) it would be too thick to move around the tire and that would cause tire balance issues. I don't know about the freeze properties of glycerin either + the cost would be prohibitive unless you could get it for free somewhere. Lots of better and cheaper options.

 

[oosik]

I know this is an old thread but I think using glycerin would have some major concerns. Glycerin is a petroleum product and the only thing that can dilute glycerin is itself a petroleum product and is quite flammable & explosive. Put in plain english - you can not dilute glycerin with water. Glycerin is diluted with any number of types of alcohol, types of kerosene and similar products. Not a mixture that you want in your tires.

 

[Surgeon]

Glycerin is a sugar alcohol. We use it medically all the time. It is considered non toxic and does dilute with water.

 

[ruko]

I know this is an old thread but I think using glycerin would have some major concerns. Glycerin is a petroleum product and the only thing that can dilute glycerin is itself a petroleum product and is quite flammable & explosive. Put in plain english - you can not dilute glycerin with water. Glycerin is diluted with any number of types of alcohol, types of kerosene and similar products. Not a mixture that you want in your tires.

Where did you get this information? In plain English glycerin is very soluble in water and is not flammable or explosive. It is so very soluble in water it is considered to be hygroscopic and will suck water out of the air. Flash point of 433 deg. F. Ethylene glycol with a flash point of 232 deg. F. will burn quicker. 70% glycerin in water the freeze point is -36 deg. F. You can eat this stuff!