Sponge Tires
For Radio Controlled Models

    Tire choice can be the difference between winning a race and ending up half way down the pack.

    All outdoor dirt tracks are different, so for off-road racers, my article "Tires for Buggys, Trucks and Truggys" will help you make that choice.

    On-road racers should also check out my two articles "Tires for Carpet Racing and Drifting" and "Tires for On-Road Tarmac Racing".

    For beginners in the sport, the article below is designed to give some basic information concerning preparation of your tires and some advice on how to safely mount your tires onto wheel rims.

Sponge Tires for RC Models

   Sponge Tires can be purchased either pre mounted, glued and trued on the rims, or separately. Fitting the Tires onto the rims can be messy, so here are a few tips to make it a bit easier.

Fitting New Tires on Old Wheels

   If you are fitting new Tires on old wheels, make sure the old sponge Tire is completely removed. To do this, I recommend using a wood lathe and a piece of wood, at least 300mm long and more than the width of your wheels, with medium grit emery paper stuck to it - sand paper will also work, but emery is harder wearing - This will also be used for truing a wheel (Described later).

How to Mount and Glue Sponge Tires onto Wheels

1/   Mount the Tires on the wheels. Make sure they fit reasonably tight, too loose and you might have problems.

2/   Using your thumb and forefinger, lift up the Tire off the wheel, then using a small spatula or a thin piece of rigid wood or plastic dipped in glue (I recommend Evo-Stik, Impact Adhesive) slip it in the gap, making sure both the Tire and the wheel are smeared. Then lower the Tire back onto the wheel and press it down. Turn the Tire approximately 60 degrees and repeat.

3/   Depending on the width of the Tire you may need to repeat the process on the inside also.

Sponge Tire Wear

   Sponge Tires will always wear unevenly, weather you race on Carpet or Tarmac. The outside wheels will always end a race smaller than the ones on the inside, so after each race I recommend swapping them over (unless you are fortunate to have a new set for each race) and dont forget to adjust the steering trim on your transmitter before the next race.

How to True Sponge Tires

   Truing Sponge Tires is essential if you are serious about racing competitively. To do this you will need the piece of wood, as described earlier and a good pair of vernier or digital calipers. 1/   Before starting, check each mounted Tire for diameter and order them smallest to largest. Start with the smallest and mount it in the lathe.

2/   Make sure you are wearing safety glasses before you start this procedure: Lay the sanding wood under the Tire so that it can be pivoted up from behind onto the Tire. Start the lathe spinning, so that as you stand infront of the Tire, it is rotating downwards. Slowly lift the sanding wood and try to hold it ridged as it comes up against the Tire. There will be a high point on the Tire that if you hold the bat rigid enough will eventually wear down until the Tire appears completely concentric. At this point stop the lathe and measure the diameter on the inside and outside of the width. If needs be, repeat the process until satisfied.

   Repeat for each Tire, matching them in pairs for diameter.

   If considered necessary also trim the sides.

Hints, Tips and Information
For RC Enthusiasts

How to avoid Radio Interference

   Radio Interference is common across all forms of RC. In this article I have listed a number of hints and tips, gained over my many years of experience in RC, explaining how by making a few simple changes to the positioning of your receiver, or using some electronic components, you can easily avoid and protect your model from Interference..

Servos for RC Models

   All Radio Controlled models need servos to control speed and direction. Choosing the right servo for each operation depends on a number of factors, including the scale of the model, robustness and response requirements.

   All the various versions of servos are described in this article, to give you some insight into what is available to suit your requirements.

Electric Motors for RC Models

   When I first started in RC, one of the most confusing things I had to learn was about Electric Motor Winds and Turns, and Advance and Retard, and the difference they make to the performance of the motor.

   Weather its more Torque you need from your Motor, or simply Revs Per Minute, this article explains what you should be looking for and how you can adjust your Motor for what you need.

Choosing a Nitro Engine.

   Choosing a Nitro Engine for your model can be difficult if you don't know what you are looking for. In this article I explain how the many different Engine types relate to your particular version of RC and point you in the right direction to find the right Engine for you.

How to Charge Rechargeable Batteries

   In the ever changing world of Rechargeable Batteries, this article was written to explain the best methods of charging the different Battery versions and how they should be safely stored or discharged.

   Although related primarily to my own Model Car background, the information in this article is useful for all forms of RC.

Soldering Battery Packs Safely

   Battery Cells are delicate things, and when it comes to Soldering them in series to make up a specific form of pack, there are precautions you need to take to avoid reducing their efficiency or damaging the cells, rendering them useless.

   In this article I simply explain how to do it right.

More Hints and Tips

   For more Radio Controlled Model Hints, Tips and Information, check out the list on the RCScrapyard Homepage. ▶ ▶