1441 replies to this topic

[Mike Patterson]

I thought Wonder rubber was supposed to wear much better than other compounds, promising 2 or maybe 3 races per pair. What happened?

[Jay Guard]

Mike:

They definitely do wear better than naturals or treated tires but depending on how the track is glued/prepped Wonders may not work so you have to go to a softer compound.  With less clearance and a softer compound you may run out of tire/clearance before the end of the race not to mention possible damage to the track.

[Eddie Fleming]

Very few of the tracks I run on are prepped to run wonder rubber. 

[Danny Zona]

Very few of the tracks I run on are prepped to run wonder rubber.

Tracks in the South definitely tend to glue way less than tracks up North.

At my home track we now glue heavier than we did in the past.

We use Port Jeffs glue formula.

We are able to use soft wonder rubber using that glue formula.

We mainly did it to make it easier for the novice racer. They can get a ton of practice without wearing out their tires.

Another good thing about the heavier glue is the track doesn't slow down as much after a couple of months.
I'm still within a tenth of my best times when the track is cleaned and at its peak condition.

[Mike Patterson]

OK, a misunderstanding on my part. When I retired from racing I was under the impression that wonder rubber was the compound of choice for most racers/tracks. Not being actively involved in the hobby anymore makes it harder to keep up with the latest trends.

 

I'll see myself out...

[jimht]

Danny Zona:

 

And just what is "Port Jeffs glue formula"?

[Danny Zona]

Danny Zona:
 
And just what is "Port Jeffs glue formula"?

I have to ask my track owner next time I'm at the track.

It will be sometime this week.

[MSwiss]

What's always works well for me is either;

1 Koford Lite per 8 ounces naptha

1 Koford Medium per 12 ounces naptha

1 Koford Heavy per 16 ounces naptha

 

My biggest issue with spray glue is finding a bottle that keeps working and/or leaks at the cap when you shake it up.

[JHMerriman]

Sureshot pressure sprayer. Atomizes the mixture great, consistent spray pattern, just clean the nozzle after use and itll last a lifetime.

[Matt Sheldon]

Sureshot pressure sprayer. Atomizes the mixture great, consistent spray pattern, just clean the nozzle after use and itll last a lifetime.

This is what we are using. It is by far the most consistent. Having to pressurize it is the only real setback.

[MSwiss]

$62.70 ?

 

I'm not that committed to slot racing. Lol

[jimht]

Started prepping the track with a glue/naptha mixture in 1975...slopped it down with shop towels.

 

Started using cheap and then expensive plastic pump sprayers, stopped eventually because there's it's irritating to have something break when you're using it for its intended purpose.

 

I've been using the same Sureshot for over 25 years.

The $39.95 clones from Harbor Freight or Vaper are probably OK for tightwads...especially when one uses a 20% off coupon.

 

Its kind of like laughing when I see tracks being cleaned by a bunch of guys with shop towels when it can be done incredibly fast by one person spraying naptha with a Sureshot and two wiping it up quickly with microfiber cloths on a Swiffer.

[MSwiss]

Back in the early 90s, there was a raceway about 3 miles west of where I am now.

 

They weren't real keen on glue racing. When things slowed down there, they became desperate enough to have the wing guys on Sunday night as long as we agreed to clean the track when we were done.

 

In the days way before microfiber rags, we would follow him using a sprayer like an exterminator would have,  us with a bunch of new white terry cloth towels. It would get it done in about 5 minutes, maybe 7, tops.

 

I've convinced myself that not getting the track too wet is easier on the braid. I may or may not be wrong.

 

Regardless, I've gotten used to using a minimum  amount  of naptha from my past life.

 

"Unnamed ex-employer, we have a race tomorrow, I have to clean the open glue off of the track."

 

"OK Mike, I'll get a can of  naptha when I go to lunch."

 

"Here you go, Mike."

 

"Unnamed ex-employer,  you only got a quart, why not a gallon?"

 

"Mike, they only sell quarts."

 

"Well unnamed ex-employer, you could of bought more than one".

[Tim Neja]

$62.70 ?

 

I'm not that committed to slot racing. Lol

The old saying probably does apply----"Buy cheap--buy twice"!!  It's always true--the BEST tool for the job is always the RIGHT tool for the job!

[MSwiss]

Tim,

I have an $8K tablesaw in the back of shop.

 

My comment was a joke.

[Bill from NH]

When slot racing passes you by, we now know your new hobby will be woodworking.       

[Eddie Fleming]

Mike for 8K it should go down to the yard and pickup the lumber for you. 

 

It's great when a man appreciates good tools.