[pblouie]

Hello, Back into 1/32 slot car hobby finally after many years I had a chance [ Due to covid and being bored ] to dig out of storage my childhood Revell Monaco 1/24 scale race set with extra track sets and no cars, so I purchased several different cars including 2wd -  Ninco Porsche, Opel GT and Citroen,  Scalextric Opel, and Fly BMW GTR . When trying to race it is impossible to keep them on track or accelerate they just spin, slide and crash as if you were driving on ice its been very frustrating experience and not fun. The track is very smooth compared to Carrera and Ninco track  that I see online, are these new cars not made for older track, should I give up on this track ? and buy Ninco or Carrera track ? or can I paint this old Revell track ? I was thinking of using Rust-Oleum spray paint 2x paint and primer in one made for plastic and textured paint.  I'm trying to  build a Rally car setup that will consist of mostly curves, 34 curves and 11 straights I want scenery to be mostly dirt road and snow covered and with some asphalt so painting track would complete my objective of a rally track, but will it hold up. 
Thanks in advance any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.

[Anthony B]

NOOOOO - dont give up on the revell track.

Setup for cars will be a bit different - added weight lowdown and ensure tyres are round as well as flat on the track....

I have just packed up my revell track - in anticipation of a move i a few months - far prefer it to both the Ninco and Scalextric tracks I have. And it is 3 1/2 inches between slots. ( Not as wide as Carrera at 4'' , same as Ninco, and wider that the 3'' of Scaley)

I really would persevere with it before I did a change

[JasonB]

Welcome aboard.  

Assuming you've given the track a good clean, the next step I'd try would be to true the tyres and treat with a little light oil.

I've no idea about painting.

[pblouie]

Welcome aboard.  

Assuming you've given the track a good clean, the next step I'd try would be to true the tyres and treat with a little light oil.

I've no idea about painting.

[pblouie]

Yes I have cleaned track very well spent a couple days just cleaning it before assembly. I tried cleaning tires with Simple green cleaner which seemed to help a little.  I replaced tires on one car with a stock type and it made again very little improvement. I ordered Gel tires for another car but haven't received them yet.

[KensRedZed]

Welcome to SlotRacer, Pblouie. 

I've heard of people painting plastic tracks before. The right paint can aid traction and help the overall look of the track. Not sure about Rust-oleum though. You might want to double check before using a smelly oil paint meant for rusty items. I think a cheap, flat, indoor latex might actually be a better choice. Best to get several opinions on this.

[chrisguyw]

Yes I have cleaned track very well spent a couple days just cleaning it before assembly. I tried cleaning tires with Simple green cleaner which seemed to help a little.  I replaced tires on one car with a stock type and it made again very little improvement. I ordered Gel tires for another car but haven't received them yet.

Hello, I would not give up on the Revell track just yet,.........many (myself included) still consider this to be one of the best ever plastic tracks.

If, as you say, you have given it a good clean, I would strongly suggest giving some urethane, or aftermarket rubber tyres  (NSR/Thunderslot )  a try. The stock tyres from most of the typical manufacturers leave a lot to be desired, particularly on cars without the traction magnets, which I assume you are not using, or have removed  .

A good cleaning (with lighter fluid) and a quick rub with some 3 in 1 oil will certainly help the original boots, but a switch to urethane/rubber will make a sizeable difference.

If you choose urethane, they do not benefit from any "additives", and can be run dry,  where rubber tyres will be very responsive to lighter fluid/3 in 1 oil.

To get the best from any tire, they should be trued, and while a tyre truing machine is best, you can do this on a spare bit of track with some sandpaper taped/glued to it.

I would definitely recommend this as a first step, as the track itself, does offer good grip.



You certainly can paint your track, (tons of folks have) and it will improve the grip to typical wood track levels, and being styrene based, the Revell track will accept, and hold paint well.

As far as the type of paint, I would recommend a flat latex paint (I think your side of the pond calls it emulsion)........this is what is applied to most club tracks both sides of the pond, and offers very good grip.

Please keep us posted.

Cheers
Chris Walker

[pblouie]

Thanks for the information I will use your advise and see if I can make some improvements, as for magnets yes all cars still have magnets in them I also added lead weights in them I would like to get away from the magnetraction as I really don't like the way that they handle, its not natural.