Lacquer thinner to soften tires?
 

I'm trying to soften my new 2.2 baja claws. Anyone tried lacquer thinner?

I think laquer thinner would intially make them feel soft, but then dry them up making it worse.

WD40"thumbsup"

Go easy. Spray them down and put them in a zip lock. Check every couple hours. Too much and they either get too mushy or warp the sidewalls.
Then use some Simple Green to wash the excess off and stop the reaction/asorbtion.

Damn 2.2 Baja claws are that stiff. :cry:


Evan

get out the dremmel and start slicing and dicing? they soften up real nice if you hack em up like this...

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...0-18151327.jpg

Thinner just gets them clean. I use it when I have a leaky shock or something like that. It doesn't hurt the tire at all or loosen it up. Belt sander on the inside. Flip the tire inside out and have fun being covered in little hit rubber pieces, they're not hot though, so don't worry about that

Darren or phllint on RCC

Turpentine, which you will find right by the thinner at the hardware store, will soften your tires. You just soak them in it, but be careful as too much can make the tire actually get bigger. I suggest around 5 minutes at a time....

We've been using turpentine soften tires since the 80s, though its become pretty much a lost art since the introduction of exotic tire compounds with racing tires.

Later EddieO

I was using a product called Buggy Grip on my sedonas and rovers during the winter comp season. The rocks were VERY clean and the sticky tires responded big time.
I would spray the tires and let it sit for at least 24 hours before the comp. They would be sticky to the touch at first, but noticably softer. The first couple courses they would be REALLY sticky.
By the 3rd or so course, they would have picked up some dust and be just about perfect.

Might be the ticket you are looking for.

I have two pairs of sedonas, one that has been treated and one that hasn't. Both have seen about the same amount of run time, with treated set with slightly more use.
The treated tires are definately worn more than the un-treated. This tells me the rubber is softer and is being torn off as it grips the rocks.

Thanks, I tried it. Turpentine STINKS. I did it for 7 minutes. It started to bloat the tires so I stopped. They are much softer now. I'll have to try it this weekend.

I found a recipe online I've been meaning to try. I have a small hardness tester that I'm hoping to use to check the results


2 parts diesel fuel
1 part ATF
1 part paint reducer ( medium )

I prefer to sacrifice a chicken on a night with a full moon. This procedure also works well in lieu of using a BEC.

Put diesel fuel on the tread only by using a paintbrush. Then let them sit for about an hour. Clean with simple green, and reinstall them.