Restoring old NTCs to make a coffee table

Just like the title says, I'm looking for a way to restore a couple of old NCTs to possibly turn into a coffee table like this:

https://31.media.tumblr.com/024c5b78...igrjo1_500.jpg

The tires aren't in bad shape. One has low tread in the center but I could make that the bottom tire. I've got tons of aluminum around and I might even be able to score some stainless to really make it an interesting piece.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/ntc01.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/ntc02.jpg

I'm going to wash and scrub them with Dawn. I'd like to put something on them to shine them up a little but I have idiotic pets that might lick these things. I don't want something toxic on the tires that might poison them. Any ideas?

I actually did something similar to this. I had a set of 17" 5Zigen GT8s on my Eclipse that I had removed after one of them got bent, and I made end tables out of them. There were only four, so I got two used tires that were the same size and as close a tread pattern match as I could find to raise them to the proper height. The guy at the tire shop actually gave them to me for free when I told him what I was doing with them! I scrubbed them clean, but didn't really apply anything to make them really shiny. Once they were clean they looked fine and I didn't want any greasy "tire shine" type finish to smear off onto furniture, people, etc.

Attachment 29062

I couldn't do a storage compartment since the centers aren't hollow, but that's a pretty cool idea! I had a local glass shop cut a piece of grey glass for the top. Almost 12 years later and still working great!

Perhaps a wipe down with leather conditioner would give a nice finish without being too greasy?

Two tires stacked on top of each other is kind of wobbly. I would make a round insert to stiffen it up with a top on it. Glue it all together with some construction adhesive like Liquid Nail. Maybe have a lamp stick up out of it!

Thanks for the information Mike. David, I think the table in the center has the two tires bolted together with the plate sandwiched between them. That's probably sturdy enough for basic use.

Meguiars Rubber and Vinyl cleaner/protector is great for making the tires black and a second coat makes them shine. The stuff doesn't sling so it's not oily at all. I'd also put a base on them to add strength and avoid transferring rubber to any surface