How to Glue Tyres

This is how I glue my tyres. It's a bit tedious but this process minimises the chances of the tyres coming un-glued prematurely:

• check the inside of the rubber and the rim for any burrs and remove with a knife or file
• if the edge of the wheel might cut into the false rubber overhang on the outside of the tyre (that gives the tyre its scale look) then take the edge off it with a file or sandpaper. This is vital when gluing Pit Shimizu tyres onto foam wheels (for example).
• if using a glossy or chromed wheel then rough up the part that glues to the tyre with sand paper - clean thoroughly afterwards
• wipe down the inside of the rubber and the rim with motor spray to remove any mould release agent (that might have been left behind from the casting process)
• fit the tyres to the rim making sure the insert is not bunched up anywhere and the tyre fits snugly on the wheel
• glue one side (I start with the inside of the wheel), I let it dry overnight and then glue the outside of the tyre
• when gluing the outside I also glue the false rubber overhang (which gives the tyre the scale look) to the wheel
• use a good quality CA glue
• I use small rubber bands to apply light pressure to assist the bonding process. Rubber bands that are too tight may distort the tyre and cause the glue to set with the tyre not perfectly round.

Tyres glued like this last many many meetings before showing signs of coming unglued. But it's a good habit to check your tyres after each race just in case.

How to Glue Pit Shimizu Tyres to Foam Rims

TQ Racing produced this excellent photo how-to guide:

If you don't make a hole as shown then once glued the tyres will not be able to bounce back to their proper shape and may be deformed.

See our Tyres guide for part numbers of foam rims.