Making tires stickier: Pine Resin, other tricks?

[Phatmac]

I clean my tires with Simple Green, and I have even read (here, I'm sure) that it's beneficial to "paint" it on and let it dray to keep the tire stickier and cleaner.

I was also thinking about spray-on tire chains. Like this:
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/lisptichgr.html
I remember a local news channel spraying a car's tires with pine resin of some sort, and then driving a car on an ice rink with good results.

I bash in areas with a lot of dirt and leaves as much as rocks, so I would think it could be counterproductive in that environment (picture tires wadded with twigs and leaves and small stones). But what about on wet rock or "clean" rock?

Has anyone tried this? Do you have any other tricks that you're willing to share?

[Mad Scientist]

Do a search for "softening" in the Tires and Wheels section. There are a few different techniques and compounds that people have tried, with varying results (including Simple Green, which you mentioned).

[upnover1]

Simple Green

[mysharona]

paragon ground effects is very popular at my local track for the off road clay racers, it actually seems to keep the dust from the track off the tires, plus with repeated use, the tires get really soft. never bought any, but if I had some you know it would be on my crawler!

[TeamDeweyRacing]

any sort of Tracktion compound that your local track guys are useing will help perfomance, Paragon Jack the Gripper, umm there are many others out there but the 2 that comes to mind at the moment

[Tanis]

I don't do anything anymore, just run them If you have to add traction compound, you've got the wrong tire, IMO.

[extreme]

any one try belt dressing? for power steering belts? that gets really sticky and it even says on the can "improves traction"

apply it before every run the can only costs 4 bucks

[Mad Scientist]

But the problem with adding sticky stuff is that dirt and debris builds up on your tires, and unless you clean it off before every application, you're going to have a big mess.

[Mnster]

I like WD40 still, it maintains the softness. On my super truck I'd definitly say the tires are more sticky and soft.

[caddyshack]

Originally Posted by Tanis

I don't do anything anymore, just run them If you have to add traction compound, you've got the wrong tire, IMO.

x2 iv never used anything....

[JPH Racing]

Try Buggy Grip 2 from Trinity, it's used in off-road racing and should work great.

[dezfan]

Try some Crawler Tape from JP CUSTOM RC's.

[calcat430d]

i agree with tanis

[Browncoat]

Sorry to necro post, but I actually used the search function before posting, and found this thread. Aren't you oldies proud?

I'm kind of surprised this topic hasn't been well received by the crawling community. I thought for certain that any kind of traction compound would be illegal for crawling, but didn't find anything in the USRCCA rules about it. I remember seeing a lot of oval racers using "tire sauce" on their foam tires, and in my mind, it made sense that using a similar product for crawling would be a closely guarded secret if it weren't illegal. But it appears that no one really uses anything.

Simple Green was the first product that came to my mind. I used it on my Revo tires when I raced, and it certainly helps.

[demonoid369]

how do you use the simple green? sorry for jacking the thread but I was just wandering.

[Etype R]

Originally Posted by Browncoat

Sorry to necro post, but I actually used the search function before posting, and found this thread. Aren't you oldies proud?

I'm kind of surprised this topic hasn't been well received by the crawling community. I thought for certain that any kind of traction compound would be illegal for crawling, but didn't find anything in the USRCCA rules about it. I remember seeing a lot of oval racers using "tire sauce" on their foam tires, and in my mind, it made sense that using a similar product for crawling would be a closely guarded secret if it weren't illegal. But it appears that no one really uses anything.

Simple Green was the first product that came to my mind. I used it on my Revo tires when I raced, and it certainly helps.

I doubt clubs want to start testing for tire compounds..... Its easier to allow it then test for it.

[Browncoat]

Originally Posted by demonoid369

how do you use the simple green? sorry for jacking the thread but I was just wandering.

Just apply to tires liberally and dab off any excess, let the rest just soak in. It kind of conditions the tires and keeps them soft. It doesn't really have a traction element, but it does seem to leave behind a little residue that is somewhat sticky.

[demonoid369]

well I got a bottle of concentrated simple green and it's in a spray bottle, do I mix it with water or leave it concentrated?

[Browncoat]

Originally Posted by demonoid369

well I got a bottle of concentrated simple green and it's in a spray bottle, do I mix it with water or leave it concentrated?

I always used a 50/50 mix with water.

[Stormin2u]

I like to mix some simple green in a dish pan with about a 1/2" of water when I scrub my tires. I does a great job of making them look like new.