6 replies to this topic

[BackAgain]

I like to run Slot.it F1 silicone tires on my 1/32 cars and they seem to get much better grip once the tread patterns have worn away.
Sanding them down is slow and tedious. Anyone have a particular technique for this that works for them?

[TSR]

Stick a strong magnet in the car and drive the thing for two hours, and they will be so round and ready you won't believe how good the are. The magnet can then be removed and the tires will be smooth as glass, much better than if you try grinding them on a tire truer.

This is what we recommend on our TSR cars.

[Hworth08]

I make a few silicone tires for my basement racers. A Hudy works just fine for truing silicones. A bit expensive and maybe troublesome to fit some wheels though.

[BackAgain]

Thanks for the suggestions....although I have a Rustoleum finish on my Carrera track, I also have a coating of brown goo....so the tires take quite a while to wear down running them.
I don't have a Hurdy, but I did set them up on my bench drill and although I can eventually sand them down (and quite accurately with the jig I made), it does take a while....I was going to experiment with different grades and types of sandpaper and thought, before I did that, someone may know what grade/type works best.
No problem with sanding rubber tires, just the sillies that are posing a problem.

[munter]

Hi Paul

We use slotit silicones in our hard body racing for several classes and have tried various methods but no one has found a better method than slowly on a hudy.
Something I noticed with the F1 tires...make sure they are fitted with the lettering facing outwards,they seem to sit better and wear better.
I have seen some cars running with tires fitted the other way round and the tire develops a conical profile.

regards

[gascarnut]

....I was going to experiment with different grades and types of sandpaper

Make sure you try some of the dry-wall sanding mesh - that works better than anything else I have tried.

but take it slow - too quick and you run the risk that the tire won't be properly round when you're done.

[BackAgain]

Thanks for the hint on the tires John....I usually put the lettering to the outside....my one and only concession to appearance/scale since our competition is on an "anything is legal" basis...no cheating and no arguments on legality that way...didn't realize it could make a difference on tire wear. I like my set-up of using the drill press better than a Hudy...it is dead-nuts accurate, I already own it and I can set and forget it...
Dennis, I will give the sanding mesh a try...hadn't thought of that...and I have boxes of it....thanks....