I've narrowed some old retro tires to use as front, but I think they're softer than they should be. Is there anything you'd suggest they soak in to make them harder?
Hardening tires
Started by
SlowBeas
, Jun 17 2016 05:39 PM
21 replies to this topic
#1
SlowBeas
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 05:39 PM
Jim Beasley
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
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South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
#2
MSwiss
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 05:43 PM
While I personally don't like a noisy front, you can coat them with nail polish.
Mike Swiss
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#3
swodem
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 05:43 PM
Some guys down here paint them with nail polish and then give a light skim
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Steve Meadows
#4
SlowBeas
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 06:02 PM
I've tried nail polish before, but frankly, it starts to crack and looks ugly after a couple races.
My chemistry (more like ancient alchemy) knowledge is extremely limited, but I realize that rubber is usually cured to a certain hardness before it's processed and sold. So, I really doubt there's anything physically that can be done to modify them.
Looks like nail polish is about the only solution.
Jim Beasley
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
#5
James Grandi
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 06:04 PM
Nail polish or super glue will work. One thing to keep in mind, oil will soften the rubber and even loosen up the glue holding the tire to the hub - so make sure not to over-oil things. Only use what it needs
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#6
Samiam
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 06:22 PM
Spray some black paint onto a piece of paper and roll the tires in it.
Sam Levitch
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#7
Tim Neja
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 06:24 PM
Well the problem is anything you use to firm them up will also cut the glue holding them to the wheels! Soaking them in MEK will firm them--but then you'll have to remount them. The other thing you can coat them with is thin super glue. Easy to do--put a little on a glass surface and run the tires over them slowly to get a nice even coat. I think it lasts longer than nail polish.
She's real fine, my 409!!!
#8
Robert BG
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 07:00 PM
Thin CA glue will soak in the best of anything I've tried.The key is to use thin stuff and not regular super glue.
Robert Fothergill
#9
Alexander Blankenship
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 07:22 PM
Try this... http://www.rockler.c...set-glue-2-5-oz, the thin works great, as well as the flexible
#10
Pablo
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 07:24 PM
Jim, with all due respect to the suggestions above, my experience has been different.
Nothing beats fresh rubber from established slot car sources. My advice is, save the hubs from used wheels, discard the rest, and buy new tires/wheels.
Trying to rejuvenate spent rubber is a waste of time. That's just my opinion, and I know many will disagree. 
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#11
Mike Patterson
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Posted 17 June 2016 - 09:47 PM
Jim,
Clean them real well with lighter fluid/naptha. Leave them exposed to air & sunlight for about 6 months. They should be about right.
I am not a doctor, but I played one as a child with the girl next door.
#12
Samiam
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Posted 18 June 2016 - 06:14 AM
Jim, with all due respect to the suggestions above, my experience has been different.
Nothing beats fresh rubber from established slot car sources. My advice is, save the hubs from used wheels, discard the rest, and buy new tires/wheels.
Trying to rejuvenate spent rubber is a waste of time. That's just my opinion, and I know many will disagree.
I have to agree with this assessment. Almost every front I made from recycled old rears lost their rubber or chunked badly. Usually during a race. 
- Tim Neja likes this
Sam Levitch
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters."
Robert Mueller, special counsel (2013)
"... because people have got to know whether or not their president is a crook."
Richard M .Nixon, Nov 17, 1973
"Fool me once, same on... shame on you. Fool me... you can't get fooled again."
George W. Bush
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters."
Robert Mueller, special counsel (2013)
"... because people have got to know whether or not their president is a crook."
Richard M .Nixon, Nov 17, 1973
"Fool me once, same on... shame on you. Fool me... you can't get fooled again."
George W. Bush
#13
Bryan Warmack
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Posted 18 June 2016 - 11:32 AM
The only rears that seem to work decent as fronts are Wonder rubber. I have had good luck turning down both Alphas and JK's and coat them with the Flexible CA from Rockler.
#14
Tim Neja
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Posted 18 June 2016 - 04:55 PM
I think Pablo and Sam's assessment is actually best!! Trying to "rejuvenate" old tires is not worth the savings!!
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She's real fine, my 409!!!
#15
SlowBeas
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Posted 18 June 2016 - 05:46 PM
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I guess my attempt at being frugal -- and trying to avoid being wasteful -- was only good intention. Think I'll just buy a new set of fronts next time I'm at the track.
Good racing to all,
jb
- Tim Neja likes this
Jim Beasley
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
#16
Ramcatlarry
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Posted 19 June 2016 - 01:45 AM
Hard donuts (JK) can be mounted and ground to size. At least save the rims. Coffee can of acetone strips the tires overnight.
Larry D. Kelley, MA
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#17
swodem
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Posted 19 June 2016 - 01:58 PM
.... Soaking them in MEK will firm them--....
1. How long do you typically soak in MEK for?
2. If MEK firms up tyres, what do you use to soften them
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Steve Meadows
#18
Alexander Blankenship
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Posted 20 June 2016 - 04:38 PM
Zip grip will soften tires
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#19
Tim Neja
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Posted 21 June 2016 - 02:12 PM
If you can find Toluene--it's a chemical used in rubber and glue--it will melt the tires off the rims if you want to!!
She's real fine, my 409!!!
#20
Mark Wampler
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Posted 21 June 2016 - 09:54 PM
The only rears that seem to work decent as fronts are Wonder rubber. I have had good luck turning down both Alphas and JK's and coat them with the Flexible CA from Rockler.
Best advice Wonder Rubber. You can order doughnuts from PCH. I found coating with super glue over a soft tire cracks, unless you go multiple coats to make them very hard which is counter productive.
Mark Wampler
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#21
brnursebmt
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Posted 22 June 2016 - 09:19 AM
What type of durometer is used for testing slot car tires and where can you get one?
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#22
zipper
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Posted 22 June 2016 - 09:44 AM
I think most are using cheap Shore A durometers, Ebay for instance. Some do use Shore D.
Pekka Sippola
