All of these have different characteristics, capabilities and all
need some maintenance.
Rubber Tyres
All the original Scalextric tyres from 1960 to the 1990s are essentially
formed from a natural rubber material. This gives good overall grip
but the surface of the tyre can become hard with age and the tyres
will be very badly damaged through exposure to oils and greases. Prolonged
exposure to sunlight can also cause hardening of the surface of these
tyres. Also, some of these original tyres are not that well shaped
and are frequently not round and do not have a flat running surface.
The new old stock tyres are original rubber tyres.
Maintenance of rubber tyres
These rubber tyres can be easy brought back into shape by spinning
the wheel and tyre on some 120 grit sand paper. This technique can
also be used to remove a thin layer of hardened surface material.
We recommend each drive tyre is treated like this before a race as
it will remove all the dirt and debris from the tyre as well as any
accumulated hardened material.
Any tyre that has become hardened through exposure to oils and greases
cannot be saved and must be replaced. Deep cracks in rubber tyres
cannot be repaired meaning replacement
tyres will be needed.
Warning
Over prolonged periods of time the early rubber tyres can leach their
black dye into the surrounding materials. This is the most common
cause of the brown marks seen on some of the early Scalextric car
body and chassis mouldings.
Thermoplastic rubber tyres
These thermoplastic rubber tyres are manufactured by Scalextric Car
Restorations as direct replacements for some of the original Scalextric
rubber tyres. Our standard and high
grip ranges of tyres are thermoplastic rubber tyres. These tyres
are unaffected by exposure to oils and greases but can lose some grip
over time as the surface material can be affected by the environment.
The general shape and form of these new replacement tyres is much
better than that of the original Scalextric rubber tyres.
Maintenance of thermoplastic rubber
tyres
These tyres will benefit from the occasional clean to remove any surface
dirt and oxides. The dirt and oxides on these tyres can be easy removed
by briefly spinning the wheel and tyre on some 120 grit sand paper.
Latex Tyres
Latex is used to give the best possible grip to a tyre without resorting
to Silicone. The latex tyres available are made by hand pouring liquid
latex into an open mould and allowing the latex to cure. These tyres
can have some shape problems (depending on the preparation quality
of the master tyre from which the mould was cast). These latex tyres
are often soft and offer great grip but can ware quickly if pushed
hard. Our MAX grip range of tyres
is manufactured in this way.
Maintenance of a Latex tyres
These tyres will benefit from the occasional clean up to remove any
surface dirt and oxides. The dirt and oxides on these tyres can be
easy removed by briefly spinning the wheel and tyre on some 120 grit
sand paper. This process does not take long as these tyres are very
soft.
Silicone tyres
Silicone tyres are regarded as offering the absolute best grip available.
However, silicone tyres are traditionally known for leaving a residue
on the track surface which will reduce the grip of the rubber, thermoplastic
and latex tyres significantly. Most local Scalextric clubs have banned
the use of Silicone tyres for this very reason. Scalextric Car restorations
does not recommend the use of Silicone tyres except in very specialist
applications.
Maintenance of Silicone tyres
These tyres will benefit from the occasional clean up to remove any
surface dirt and oxides. The dirt and oxides on these tyres can be
easy removed by briefly spinning the wheel and tyre on some 120 grit
sand paper. This process does not take long as these tyres are very
soft.