Decorative metal foils for tires

A method for adhering an element to rubber such as applying a metal foil to tires includes applying a metallic foil (30) to one of the sidewalls (14) before the tire (10) is completely cured. The metallic foil (30) may be applied directly to the sidewall (14) of a green tire (34), and then cured simultaneously with the tire. The metallic foil may further have a carrier (32). The carrier (32) may be removed after a curing cycle, or it may become part of the tire (10). The metallic foil (30) may also be attached to a precured piece of rubber before being attached to the green tire (34).