[Graham]

A question about tyre adhesives ?
I am known as the organiser of the Slotracer proxies but have been really surprised with the current proxy with the number of cars arriving whose tyres needing re-gluing, even before they get onto the track.

Personally speaking, although I tried more exotic types (Rubber toughened)  Specialised slot car tyre adhesives in the past, I never felt that they have lasted that long. I have therefore tended to revert to the “off the shelf” Superglue which I use on my Club cars over many months without having to re glue them.

So I wondered what other people’s experience is, I can see that the common Superglue is rather hard, and that others tend to be “softer” and should in theory give a better ride properties to the tyres on the wheels, but is there a REALLY GOOD tyre adhesive which is soft and flexible and gives longer term adhesion ?

[Kevan]

I've used this for the last 8 years

   

I have loads of different cars and this stuff seems to work just fine...so don't know what the heck happened to my Aston Martin that came back at the end of the proxy series with one rear tyre almost unglued all round on both sides...nobody said anything either

[Graham]

I guess what I am asking is that,  is there anything better than plain old Superglue ?

[KensRedZed]

I have used clear Gorilla Glue on the recommendation of the club members before me. I've had zero failures since 2018. It works amazing. Just keep in mind it's gap filling, so less is more. Put a small drop on the end of a toothpick and swipe it on the center of the wheel. Spread it all the way around the wheel and install the tire. Squeeze the tire to push excess glue out the sides. Wipe excess glue off with a shop towel and leave it for about 3-hours. Then begin truing.

   
   

[KensRedZed]

I forgot to mention that if glue does not seep out both sides of the wheel/tire. You didn't install enough, and the glue/tire will fail.

The perfect amount is when just a little seeps out both sides. If you put too much glue. There's simply more to clean up, and you waste glue. Better to err on the side of a bit too much rather than too little.

[Kevan]

I've used gorilla glue clear before, it's not the stuff that foams like the light brown stuff...it works well but I stopped using it because I couldn't wait 24hrs before truing.

[KensRedZed]

Yes, don't use the brown expanding stuff. Use the clear stuff. The instructions on the bottle say you can remove any clamps after 2-hours. Full cure in 24.

You only need to wait 2-hours if you're really in a hurry to true a set of tires. There's always other things to do on the car while the glue dries such as... have lunch, coffee, take a shower, etc. 

I have since got into the habit of glueing the wheels and tires as soon as I get them. I'll work on the entire build a few days later. I'll buy a dozen pairs of wheels/tires and glue them all in one sitting. Then eventually use them all up when I figure out what cars go on the workbench next. That's why I have that funny pic with all those wheels/tires.

I'm certain your system works well for you, Kevan. 

So long as it works. I have never had a failure yet.

[ALS]

Shoe Goo.

[woodcote]

An honourable mention for Bob Smith Industries IC-2000 CA Tire Glue here.

[Graham]

What I have noticed on all the ones that I received which have failed, is that there is a band of “elastic rubber” loose on the rim, so I suspect they have all been the “rubber toughened” Superglue types from different manufacturers.
Which you would think should work better with rubber slot car tyres…..?

The gap filling clear Gorilla glue sounds good, as that means that it should expand a little making it softer   A little bit of research reveals that it is a different chemical adhesive from the others, so does not include Superglue chemicals.

And “softness” has been a key reason mentioned to me as to why these other (non standard Superglues) were used, to allow the tyres to maintain a good tyre profile whilst cornering on the track.

Shoo goo I have heard mentioned before (it is purely a rubber adhesive in solvent without superglue) a flexible adhesive made for trainers etc. so I will set up a little experiment on my own with these alternatives on a set of standard tyres / rims and see which lasts the longest on the shelf.

And I do already have the Slot car Corner IC2000.