Some products come on the market, and you think to yourself, "That should have been done long ago". Well, it sort of was done, more in the larger scales, and generally it left a pretty tacky surface all over the place.
Dave Vasquez, of
Dave's Model Racing Engineering has come up with a little item from his chemistry set that we all might enjoy. The concoction is a tire treatment. The name is The Tire Nitro Kit. It's a two step treatment, that first reconditions the tire, and then coats it. The coating is nearly invisible, and stays on the tire, even after using tape to clean it. It is not really a coating per se. Better to describe it as becoming one with the tire. Nothing rubs off as you apply it.
Directions come with the kit, so I won't go into that very much. There are several ways to do the job. In fact, I had to invent a way to work with silcone-on-foam tires, so as not to remove the thin layer of silicone.
The product works with silicone or rubber based tires. Dave suggests it does not work with certain tires made with elastomers. The idea is to take an old or new tire, and with a clean, lint free, rag, rub the tire for a few minutes with Part A, till no more color comes off. After that, on the same type of cloth, rub in part two. You may apply part two a second time if you wish. Do a lot of tires at once, and bag them till race day.
Treat this product with care. Do not inhale it, wear gloves, and make certain not to contaminate the bottle.
I chose two styles of tire that I thought were the best platforms to test this product. Original Thunderjet rubber, and a pair of silicon coated foam Fray style wheels. I thought it would be nice to run the T-jet test on a vintage T-jet, so I chose the 63 Galaxie convertible. Then, after treating the tires, and running my own test, I called over the 10 year old from across the street. I had him drive the car, first, with untreated tires, and then, switching to treated, had him drive the car again. This was a blind test. I then asked his opinion. He said that with the second tire, the car didn't slide as much. Easier to drive. Exactly the experience I had.
I then took out one of my Fray cars. This car had run consistent 8.0+ laps, but never got into the 7's. I figured out how to treat the tires without ungluing everything, and put the car on the track. On the very first lap it turned a 7.853. I immediately repeated the feat.
These were not very scientific tests. Also, I have no idea of the durability, or how often one must repeat the process. It does allow for cleaning of the tires with tape, without losing grip. The process is simple enough, and at $9, the price is fine.
In His Own Words
Tire nitro came about for practical reasons. To improve tire traction by 95%, reduce tire wear by 50%, and reduce over steer characteristics. A little work in the lab, and track testing, proved to be quite effective .Also preservation of the tire compound, can increase performance, handling, and tire foot print on the track . I have had many customers very satisfied with the results. As one customer stated’ "I could out handle my faster opponent in race, and lay the rubber down on the straights to a win.
Daves Model Racing Engineering
194 turnpike st.rte 138
Canton , MS 02021.
Shop (781)828-4141.
Www.davesmodelracing.com
Dave Vasquez
