Course on Conservation of Historic Tyres
Online course of 300 h in conservation of historic tyres. 6 modules covering ISO 188 (accelerated ageing of rubber), ISO 1431-1 (ozone cracking resistance of rubber) and advanced Excel (inspection logging). Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Course on Conservation of Historic Tyres — studying from Malta
Malta's rich heritage, including historic buildings, vintage vehicles and maritime craft, creates a niche for restoration and conservation work. Owners of classic cars, motorcycles and boats seek specialist workshops with knowledge of period engineering and materials. Restoration of historic architecture also requires engineers and technicians familiar with traditional construction methods and conservation rules. Opportunities tend to be found with specialist workshops, heritage organisations and private restorers.
Fees for Malta: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is there a recognised professional body in Malta for restoration and classic vehicle engineering?
Malta does not have a single state-regulated profession for classic vehicle restoration. Vehicle registration and roadworthiness are handled by Transport Malta. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is determined by employers, clients or the relevant body, so check these before enrolling.
What work could restoration engineers find in Malta?
Malta has a niche market for classic vehicle restoration, mainly through independent workshops, specialist garages and private collectors. Work is often built on reputation and practical craftsmanship. Whether a private online qualification adds value is for individual clients and employers to judge, so it is best to consider it alongside your hands-on experience.
Can I study this part-time with a workshop job, and is funding possible?
Yes. The programmes are fully online, taught in English and suitable for study from home, without needing a student visa. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and each student has an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Recognise the materials and construction of historic tyres.
Identify the degradation mechanisms caused by ozone, light, heat and deformation.
Apply cleaning and treatment methods compatible with aged rubber.
Define storage conditions that slow deterioration.
Protect tyres on exposed or long-idle vehicles.
Assess when to conserve an original tyre and when to replace it with a reproduction.
Document the condition of the tyre and its evolution in a conservation file.
Who it's for
- Collection vehicle conservator who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Preventive conservation technician who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Automobile collection manager who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Historic tyre specialist who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Classic vehicle restorer who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Technical adviser to collectors who wants to specialise in Conservation of Historic Tyres.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work in automobile museums.
What you'll work with
- ISO 188 (accelerated ageing of rubber)
- ISO 1431-1 (ozone cracking resistance of rubber)
- EN 15757 (temperature and relative humidity conditions for conservation)
- ISO 48-4 (rubber hardness by durometer)
- EN 16095 (condition recording of movable cultural heritage)
- UNECE Regulation No. 30 (passenger car tyres)
- Turin Charter (FIVA, 2013)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Documentary value of an original tyre1.2Markings, tread patterns and periods1.3Reading the manufacturing date1.4Identifying a period tyre1.5Collector tyres and their market1.6Typical condition after decades1.7Decision: conserve, display or drive1.8Safety limits for driving1.9Documentation and photography1.10Workshop: inventory and assessment of a set
2.1Ageing of rubber2.2Ozone, light and temperature2.3Surface and deep cracks2.4Deformation under static load2.5Internal separations2.6Oxidation of textile and metal carcass2.7Effect of cleaning products2.8Humidity and fungi2.9Indicators of irreversible degradation2.10Practice: degradation diagnosis
3.1Gentle cleaning and permissible products3.2Aggressive products to avoid3.3Restoring appearance without damage3.4Protective treatments and their controversy3.5Raised lettering and markings3.6Whitewall sidewalls and their cleaning3.7Drying and handling3.8Tests on non-visible areas3.9Recording the treatment applied3.10Practice: cleaning a historic tyre
4.1Temperature and humidity conditions4.2Protection from light and ozone4.3Storage position4.4Stacking and deformation4.5Storage mounted or unmounted4.6Pressure during storage4.7Periodic rotation4.8Protection from rodents4.9Monitoring and recording conditions4.10Practice: storage plan for a collection
5.1Static load and jacking points5.2Stands and wheel unloading5.3Supports and bearing plates5.4Periodic movement of the vehicle5.5Pressure on a displayed vehicle5.6Floor surfaces and their effect on rubber5.7Exhibition lighting5.8Display and driving tyres5.9Documentation of condition5.10Practice: protocol for a vehicle on display
6.1Available reproductions and their accuracy6.2Criteria for concours and for use6.3Conservation of the removed original set6.4Marking and cataloguing of parts6.5Cost of each option6.6Communication with the owner6.7Safety as the final criterion6.8Common conservation errors6.9Documented real cases6.10Final project: conservation plan for historic tyres
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is advanced Excel (inspection logging), Collective Access (collection inventory), HOBOware (climate logging), ImageJ (photographic crack analysis), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for visual inspection and magnifier examination of ozone cracks, Shore hardness measurement on sidewalls, and climate control in a collection store. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Recognise the materials and construction of historic tyres.
Identify the degradation mechanisms caused by ozone, light, heat and deformation.
Apply cleaning and treatment methods compatible with aged rubber.
Define storage conditions that slow deterioration.
Protect tyres on exposed or long-idle vehicles.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Spanish language level sufficient to follow technical standards reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with advanced Excel (inspection logging), Collective Access (collection inventory), HOBOware (climate logging) and ImageJ (photographic crack analysis). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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