Another Ascender....

[JSterrett]

Been eyeballing the Ascender for a while, and with the recent price drop I finally broke down and picked up a K5 kit (Couldn't pass it up @ $250).

Probably won't be a whole lot of super cutting-edge stuff going on with this build, but I figured I'd try and document it anyways.

Massive box...


Containing another, much smaller, box...



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[JSterrett]

Box 'o parts....



LHS is finally stocking Tamiya PS paints again.



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[JSterrett]

Body washed/prepped for masking, and tires washed. I gotta say, these tires are better than I was expecting. From some of the other threads I read I was expecting some hot garbage, but I think these should be fairly serviceable now that the release agent is scrubbed off of them....



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[JSterrett]

Transmission built / Bag A done.

Not sure if I'm allowed to have an Ascender, I don't currently have a cat....



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[Mongol Pete]

No cat here either. Is that a good upgrade for this kit?

So, this is the first I've heard about scrubbing the tires. What does that do, and what did you use please? I ordered the K5 kit this past weekend but it will be a while getting to me...

-MP

[JatoTheRipper]

Congrats! Great truck! I'm considering picking up a second myself.

I don't like the stock tires, but others have had luck with them.

Good looking dog too!

[Natedog]

I've had great luck with the stock tires, soak them for couple days in Simple Green and water mixture, scrub clean, rinse, dry, install with Pro-Line single stage (my preference, but take a bit to break in) or dual stage foams!

Cute pup! Cats are a great addition especially if you own an Ascender, but not required.

[soze]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Congrats! Great truck! I'm considering picking up a second myself.

I don't like the stock tires, but others have had luck with them.

Good looking dog too!

Do it.... I just did a few days ago.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by soze

Do it.... I just did a few days ago.

Maybe. By the time I make my decision it'll probably be sold out.

I'm awaiting the Proline (my guess) scaler unveiling which I assume will be this weekend at By The Fire.

[JSterrett]

Last night's stopping point...

Was planning on doing some painting tonight, but the weather turned nasty again here, might be a bit damp for painting.

Still need to wire up electronics, and figure out what I'm doing for wheels.



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[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by Mongol Pete

No cat here either. Is that a good upgrade for this kit?

So, this is the first I've heard about scrubbing the tires. What does that do, and what did you use please? I ordered the K5 kit this past weekend but it will be a while getting to me...

-MP

Dawn dish soap, hot water (as hot as you can stand it), and a dollar store toothbrush. Put the soap directly on the toothbrush and scrub. Rinse VERY thoroughly. Most tires still have the mold release agent on them, which is (by necessity) slippery. Scrubbing this off gets you down to straight rubber which will conform and grip better.

This is not a substitute for better tires, but has helped on every tire I've used it on. If you're stuck using stock/OEM tires, this can help get you through until you can better ones...

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by Natedog

I've had great luck with the stock tires, soak them for couple days in Simple Green and water mixture, scrub clean, rinse, dry, install with Pro-Line single stage (my preference, but take a bit to break in) or dual stage foams!

Cute pup! Cats are a great addition especially if you own an Ascender, but not required.

I wonder how much of the improvement from that method is just getting the release agent off (like what I'm doing)?

Does it seem like the Simple Green is actually affecting the properties of the rubber?

[Natedog]

I've found that it gets the release off and does seem to add to the tires stickiness. I soak mine for a couple days, 5 gallon bucket with 2 gallons hot tap water, couple cups of Simple Green, add tires, stir, set lid on top to keep nasty smell and heat in better, stir around several times for couple days, (water will cool in couple hours but that's fine). After couple days, scrub them up with Dobi pad or similar, rinse and mount.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Transmission built / Bag A done.

Not sure if I'm allowed to have an Ascender, I don't currently have a cat....



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Originally Posted by touch racing

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a cat less Ascender builder.

Originally Posted by Mongol Pete

No cat here either. Is that a good upgrade for this kit?

So, this is the first I've heard about scrubbing the tires. What does that do, and what did you use please? I ordered the K5 kit this past weekend but it will be a while getting to me...

-MP

Originally Posted by Natedog

I've had great luck with the stock tires, soak them for couple days in Simple Green and water mixture, scrub clean, rinse, dry, install with Pro-Line single stage (my preference, but take a bit to break in) or dual stage foams!

Cute pup! Cats are a great addition especially if you own an Ascender, but not required.

My cat named Jordon!

[JSterrett]

Not sure if I want to mask the weatherstripping around the windows or not. Was originally going to just do a quick/easy paint job.... It seems to be getting more complicated.... Plus I'm not real happy with how poorly the window masks match up with the edges...



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[soze]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Not sure if I want to mask the weatherstripping around the windows or not. Was originally going to just do a quick/easy paint job.... It seems to be getting more complicated.... Plus I'm not real happy with how poorly the window masks match up with the edges...



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I would mask it off.... or at least paint it black first. Does the body come with weather stripping decals?

[Zippy1]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Transmission built / Bag A done.

Not sure if I'm allowed to have an Ascender, I don't currently have a cat....

I have an Ascender too, and no cat. But my dog will pick up tools I've dropped...
I think you're good.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Not sure if I want to mask the weatherstripping around the windows or not. Was originally going to just do a quick/easy paint job.... It seems to be getting more complicated.... Plus I'm not real happy with how poorly the window masks match up with the edges...

I've never had a body where the precut masks fit well...

[2mtech]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Not sure if I want to mask the weatherstripping around the windows or not. Was originally going to just do a quick/easy paint job.... It seems to be getting more complicated.... Plus I'm not real happy with how poorly the window masks match up with the edges...



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Pro-Line's window masks are pretty close. Others, not so much.

I've become a fan of trimming the overspray film from around the weatherstripping and painting it on the outside...assuming you're painting on the inside of the body, of course.

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by soze

I would mask it off.... or at least paint it black first. Does the body come with weather stripping decals?

Yes, most of the window decals have the weatherstripping at the edges. Door window decals don't though.

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

I've never had a body where the precut masks fit well...

Pro-lines are usually within shoutiing distance... These are a good 2-4mm small all the way around...

Originally Posted by 2mtech

Pro-Line's window masks are pretty close. Others, not so much.

I've become a fan of trimming the overspray film from around the weatherstripping and painting it on the outside...assuming you're painting on the inside of the body, of course.

I was considering this alternative also...

I may actually do both inside and outside. Will probably stop by my LHS on the way home from work and get some black lexan paint in a bottle (for airbrushes) and mask the stripping off and brush paint it from the inside. May also paint it with a Matte Black on the outside for a little more realistic look...