Introduction
You’re putting together your RC car kit. But you’re not sure how to glue the tires. The process isn’t that difficult. Actually, it’s quite easy and intuitive. And you can complete it within 4 steps.
Here’s how to glue RC tires-
To glue RC tires first, you need to get rid of mould release. Next, put the inserts in and do a test fit. If everything fits snugly, put the tire on the rim. Drip a few drops of glue into the tire mounting channel. After that roll the tire around to spread the glue. Finally, repeat the same process on the other side.
In short, that’s the entire process. But there’s more to the steps. You should keep reading because we’re about to guide you through the entire process.
How to Go About the Gluing Process?
Gluing the RC tires may seem intimidating at first but don’t worry as it’s quite easy to perform. You just need to know some basic steps and you’ll be good to go.
We’re going to make the gluing process easy to follow. Trust us! Your tires will be ready for use in just 4 steps.
What Will You Need?
Obviously, you’ll first need to make sure you have the right glue for RC tires. Not all glue works with RC. I’ve always found the Bob Smith Industries Super Glue to work exceptionally well. You can also check out the Loctite Super Glue for a more budget-friendly option.
Now, before you get started on the process you need a few more tools. Having these tools will make the process easier.
Here’s what you’ll need-
Another obvious addition to this list: tires. You can just use the stock tires. But if you want better performance, think about investing in a set of good drift tires. They can provide greater grip and both off-road and on-road capabilities.
Now with all that out of the way, you’re ready to get to the gluing.
How to Glue RC Tires In 4 Steps?
The process of gluing your RC tires is pretty simple. However, you need to take your time with the process. Remember that extreme levels of side-load pressure on the tires break down weak glue bonds fast.
For your ease, we’ve broken down the gluing process into a few steps.
Step 1: Preparing the Surface for Gluing
Prepping the surfaces is the first thing you’ll need to do. Tires and rims might have mould-release residue. This will prevent the glue from bonding the surfaces properly. So, you’ll need to clean the surfaces.
Now, you may wonder exactly how to prepare the surface for gluing RC tires?
To prepare the surface for gluing RC tires start by putting some isopropyl alcohol inside the tires and the rims. Next, take the microfibril cloth and wipe the surfaces. Finally, sand the tire mounting channels on the rims to achieve a stronger bond.
Step 2: Testing the Fit
The next step is to put the tire insert into the tires and check the fit. The tires usually come with regular foam inserts.
If you’re looking for more performance you can switch to the Proline 617400 1.9″ Dual Stage Foam Inserts or any regular moulded inserts. They might seem simple but there’s a lot to learn about tire inserts.
Now to test the fit of your tire inserts, first, take your tire insert and squeeze it into your tire. Then, roll the tire in your hand to make the insert sit properly in the tire. Next, roll the tire on the table to check if it wobbles.
Wobbling is a sign of a bad fit. In that case, look for flashing on the tire and the rim. If you see any, use the hobby knife to trim those off.
Step 3: Gluing the RC Tire
Once you’ve made sure everything fits perfectly, get ready to glue it all together. To start gluing lay the tire flat on one side. Then, pull back the tire just enough to reveal the mounting channel. Now put a drop of glue on the exposed part of the mounting channel.
Repeat this process 4 times in total. Think of the flat surface as a clock face. And add a drop of glue at 12, 3, 6, and 9. Swirl the tire around a bit to spread the glue. Now let it dry.
Once cured flip the tire over and do the same for the other side. Wrap the tire with a rubber band and let it dry.
Step 4: Insuring the Adhesion
Now, to ensure proper adhesion, press and pull on the sidewalls of the tire to check for any loose spots. If you see any loose spots, put a little glue in there to seal them up.
Loose spots can let in dirt and cause the glue to wear out. So, it’s very important to seal the tire perfectly.
You can glue the tires perfectly following these steps. But what if you want to avoid the glue?
What If I’m Not Confident Using Glue?
Working with glue can get pretty messy. Besides, once you’ve glued tires to your rims you’re pretty much stuck with those tires. And the ungluing process isn’t as easy as connecting ESC to a brushless motor either.
So is there a workaround?
Yes. There is a way to get around without using glue. And that is by using bead-lock rims. These rims have a ring bolted to them. The ring squeezes the bead of the tire and attaches it to the rim.
That covers everything from how to glue your RC tires to how to avoid glue entirely.
FAQs
What happens if I use too much glue?
If you use too much glue you will end up creating weak spots. The glue might clump together in a place or form too thick a layer. These thick spots will be very brittle.
How much glue should I use?
Use no more than 4 drops of glue a side. So in total, use no more than 8 drops a tire. In case there are loose spots, use the tiniest possible amount to seal them up.
Can I DIY Tire inserts?
Yes, you can DIY tire inserts. The process will be difficult as being so precise with a pair of scissors is tough. However, tire inserts are essentially pieces of foam cut to shape. So, you can simply cut up a piece of foam and fill the tire with it.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to glue RC tires. You can pop open your RC car kit and assemble it with ease. And start zooming around the race track. But, be sure to let the glue on the tires dry completely first.
That’s a wrap, folks. Hope it helped you glue your RC tires perfectly.
