63 replies to this topic

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Boy I wish you'z guys could smell what burning glue smells like here on the Blog.

Years ago at the '88 Nats a bud and I went over to Lee Gilberts shop and he was "cooking" a batch of glue up out back with an old stained hot plate and it smelled like the worst used !@?%$ fluid you ever smelled...

Oh well, I guess I won't tell ya what little I know either .. I do not use glue anymore and GLAD of it!

[redbackspyder]

The New Blue Magic that I have developed for tires will work on all types of rubber, whether synthetic, natural, untreated or treated. This was given out at the Fall Brawl, and many of the top West Coast Racers in D3 and SCRRA are using it.

The key to this product is that a little goes a long way, and it does not swell the tire, unlike a Zip Grip. It will actually make a Wonder or Thunder rubber better by allowing the cells of the rubber to open and function better than stock.

Shortly, there will be a product that will be able to be applied to tires after a race to preserve tires between races, and that will prevent the dry out, without the chemicals that can harm painted bodies. A side benefit is that this also will restore windshield wiper blades to a nearly like new condition by restoring the elasticity to the rubber and eliminating the skip across the windshield glass.

[Mike K]

WIll restored windshield wiper blades make your car go faster???

Do you also supply small applicators to enable the product to be applied to slot car windsield wiper blades?

How's my order coming??? In time for CPC??

[Tim Neja]

I'd love to try some of your "Magic" potion, Mill - if you have enough for the Checkpoint?

Thanks for the help Saturday - I needed it!!

T

[HarV Wallbanger III]

The thing I have seen with Wonder rubber using Love Lotion is it wears out a little faster. It does work nice for those times you want a firm tire but it just does not enough grip for track conditions.

[gotboostedvr6]

Can this Love Lotion stuff be applied to the Wonder donuts if they are properly cleaned with solvent before mounting?

[NSwanberg]

Zip Grip sure smells nice. What is in it?

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Can this Love Lotion stuff be applied to the Wonder donuts if they are properly cleaned with solvent before mounting?

Yes, David, but why would you want to do it before mounting?

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Zip Grip sure smells nice. What is in it?

Wintergreen oil is the smell...

[gotboostedvr6]

I'd love to mount medium Wonder on all my hubs but prefer it a tad softer.

A treatment that would soften it up a bit would be the ticket.

[hotrodlarry]

I've asked this question on other forums and no one likes to give up their secrets. At the local track I race at, the track owner has banned wintergreen oil so lighter fluid is the popular choice of the racers.

We've tried suntan lotion (SPF-50) and liquid fabric softener. I've used hand lotion with some success as well.

[redbackspyder]

I can say that with the chemicals that I am using, there is no need to pre-treat Wonder donuts before mounting them. Blue Magic has worked on all types of Wonder, including Thunder and Blubber rubber. I gave some to Bill Skinner when he was out for the Boola Bash, he is the man behind the Thunder Rubber. Your medium wonder will grip better than it has before, and it may be applied as an overnight treatment, then when you are ready to run your car, simply re-apply, wait ten seconds, THEN WIPE ALL OFF. TIRES WILL BE CLEAN AND FRESH, and the next product I have coming will be a serum to put on for storage of tires between races.

The little windshield wiper blades start skittering after a hotly-contested B Main, so you take some .032" rail, dip it into the Magic, wipe all along the blade edge, then wipe completely off. You are now ready for the A Main, and should it rain mid-race, you are set to go!

[Gus Kelley]

Hey Mill!

Does Debby have your tire lotion in stock? Anthony and I are heading your way late today.

We are really looking forward to this year's event. My regret is that Bob Chaney won't be there, he'll be really missed.

Gus in Sacto

[Gator Bob]

Mill said to be prepared for rain... so... has anyone tried Rain-X on their tires (and blades)?

Why didn't I think of that?

Do I hear the sound of racers running to the garage... LOL.

[redbackspyder]

Rain-X I would not recommend. It was a joke.

[Phil Irvin]

YAHOO... Slip and slide...

[gotboostedvr6]

I learned a few things tonight;

You can treat your own rubber. It works like a charm, after two dunk/dry sessions the rubber lost a total of 10% diameter!

Also don't do it when your wife is home. It is a quick way to the dog house.

That is all.

-Dave

[Gator Bob]

[boxerdog]

Gus, we heard you and AV were being detained in TJ for some reason.

[eAddict]

I can say that with the chemicals that I am using, there is no need to pre-treat Wonder donuts before mounting them. Blue Magic has worked on all types of Wonder, including Thunder and Blubber rubber. I gave some to Bill Skinner when he was out for the Boola Bash, he is the man behind the Thunder Rubber. Your medium wonder will grip better than it has before, and it may be applied as an overnight treatment, then when you are ready to run your car, simply re-apply, wait ten seconds, THEN WIPE ALL OFF. TIRES WILL BE CLEAN AND FRESH, and the next product I have coming will be a serum to put on for storage of tires between races.

The little windshield wiper blades start skittering after a hotly-contested B Main, so you take some .032" rail, dip it into the Magic, wipe all along the blade edge, then wipe completely off. You are now ready for the A Main, and should it rain mid-race, you are set to go!

Any update? Source to get to try it?

[Mr. GoFast]

What and how the tire makers treat their rubber is proprietary info. Why would they want to give their process to the masses? It's their bidness, you want treated rubber, buy treated. They offer treated donuts to DIY people. Same with glue, they figured it out and it's available across the counter for anyone to purchase. BTW, you would not want to put up with the mess and PITA of making glue. Same with treated tires, the chemicals are pretty harsh...

Very well said, Rick. The racers really have no idea what we go through to give the best products to them.

[Phil Hackett]

Some of the many reasons that Sonic discontinued making tires was the coming of "treating" rubber with chemicals I didn't want to have around in large amounts, didn't want to have long-term exposure to, the extreme fire hazard some of those chemicals present, not having to deal with the hazardous materials listings with the Cal-EPA people (we're legit) and the LA County Fire Department (They go nuts over **extension cords**!!).

 

You guys can take over and deal with this stuff. I know many of you live in rural areas where leaving the stuff outside isn't so bad but here in the city such leavings-out can have very, very bad repercussions and liabilities.

 

Also I'd check if your fire insurance covers such activities in having volatile chemicals around at your house/office/barn or where ever else the "treating" is done. Just because you're "covered" doesn't mean there'll be a pay-off if something happens. Believe me, insurance companies aren't the touchy-feelly, "we-got-your-back", "we're-here-for-you" businesses they like to advertise. If you're doing something contrary to the policy (did you even read it?) a pay-off is very questionable.

 

Have fun.

[gotboostedvr6]

I've come a long long way with tire treatments since i posted this thread.  Donuts in my care have swam and slept in some interesting chemicals and climates to say the least.

 

Over the years the definition of "Treated" for me has changed dramatically. Most racers define treated tires as firm or more dense, loose running, long wearing, better bank and straight speed, etc. 

 

I've found chemicals and processes that can be used for any desired result, be it firming the compound by shrinking the rubber (decrease grip, increase straight and bank speed), softening by expansion (better acceleration and corner grip), increasing or decreasing grip without any change in size or duro, shrink (harden), and expand with decreased grip.

 

So far my tire treatments have TQ'd and finished second, and won at the USRA Nats, and have made me a very successful weekly racer.

 

Never give up, boys. 

[gc4895]

"Team Trinity" offers a number of colors of tire traction formulas, designed for RC Car foam tires.  For our slot car application, is there a preferred color?  Trinity offers purple, white, red, "sticky fingers" etc.

 

I have been using a CVS pharmacy 50 spf suntan lotion and it's been working pretty well all by itself.  But, I can always learn something new!!! 

[gotboostedvr6]

That's not the kind of treatment I'm referring to.

Tire treatment IMO needs to permanently alter the rubber. Lotions are an additive that can easily be removed, furthermore they alter the tracks surface which opens another can of worms.