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Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:09 pm
by JonathanPoll
Hello,

As you can see, I'm new here. My name is Jonathan Poll, and I'm 14 years old. 2 days ago, I was given 2 old slot car sets. One matchbox, and the other Scalextric. The Scalextric one is only a set of extra parts, not a set with all the power.
The matchbox one is fine, been using it a bit, but only 2 of 4 cars are fine. 1 has no tires ( perished off ) and the other has tires that I superglued on because they kept coming of the rims. Those tires have not gripped even before I glued them. They still dont grip. The tires feel hard, unlinke the 2 cars that run fine.
This is what the track is like ( so you ,now what version of slot car ) Image
And this is the same car ( just different body, but same insides ) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... dtrack.JPG ( wont embed it cos the image is too big )

Thanks, Jonathan

Re: Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:28 am
by wixwacing
Hi Jonathan

These models look like the Matchbox HO scale cars, It sounds like the tyres are the problem. I'm not sure where we can get tyres for these. I suspect a local model/toy shop is the answer. Maybe someone else who reads this might know?

Re: Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:16 pm
by JonathanPoll
wixwacing wrote:Hi Jonathan

These models look like the Matchbox HO scale cars, It sounds like the tyres are the problem. I'm not sure where we can get tyres for these. I suspect a local model/toy shop is the answer. Maybe someone else who reads this might know?
hi,
Is there any way to " restore the stickyness " to them?
Jonathan

Re: Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:49 am
by wixwacing
Hi Jonathan,

Once natural rubber tyres harden or form a 'crust' they have degraded chemically and are irretrievable. Sometimes you can sand off the crust on the tread area and they will be OK for a little while.

I have had a look about and found this site which seems pretty switched on when it comes to HO tyres and wheels.

You might like to drop them a line or contact them on their site

HO Slotcar Racing/tyres

HO Slotcar racing/Home

Re: Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:01 pm
by JonathanPoll
Thanks, very usefull! I will contact them soon. Also, any tips on repairing a rusty matchbox track? I started using a stanley blader, but then I saw that itq not a good idea :shock:

Jonathan

Re: Need help, I'm new... Car not gripping on track

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:38 pm
by dangermouse
Hi Jonathan

not sure where you are -the cars are similar to the AFX cars so you could try getting AFX spares. You could try picking up an AFX tuning kit I have seen them at KMart and BigW for about $7 or take the cars to your local hobby shop they should have a box of AFX spares so you can buy a suitable sized tyre to fit.

cheers
DM