Cleaning R compounds

imgon · Post by **imgon** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:27 am

I have a set of R compounds that are used and have a bunch of rubber debris on them. (from coming off the track hot and running over the marbles) I am getting them mounted and wonder if there is a sensible way to clean them so they will balance better. I'm guessing the best way is to drive on them and then get them re-balanced but not sure if I can get them warm enough driving on the street to scrub off the crud. In the past my used tires have not had so much build up and have balanced nicely. To me I would think we would want everything balanced perfectly but I have heard some people say they don't balance their wheels/tires at all for the track. Anyone have any thoughts on these questions.
Thanks for any suggestions.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:45 am

I think the only time the tires will ever balance out perfectly is when they are new.My car is fwd and especially prone to opr buildup on the rears,where not much is happening.It's amazing they don't shake like hell out on the track.
I'd have to go with the school of thought that balance is not that critical from a performance standpoint.
I suppose you could put them on the rear of your car and do a few burnouts till they clean up a bit.
Just be careful if you do it out on the public streets as I'm sure the police would not understand your predicament

escortracer · Post by **escortracer** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:19 am

I had a wheel weight fall off at Mosport the balance was so bad I had to go get it balanced. The tire had build up on it so I borrowed a plumbers torch and a putty knife from the track warmed up the rubber a little and scrapped it off. I use to run my street tires on the track they would get build up on them just driving from NHMS to home would make the rubber come off it takes awhile to get it all off.

Post by **WillM** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:35 am

Hi Chuck,

You are right, it is unlikely you'll be able to knock off the tire worms by driving the car on the street.

Like Rob said, a blow torch and putty knife will work fine. I've used and prefer a heat gun. Amazingly, the built-up rubber heats up, bubbles, and might even smoke. With a blow torch, it catches fire. The built-up rubber scrapes right off, leaving the tire rubber (the good stuff) unharmed. Don't put any more heat onto the tire than necessary, but in my experience, it can take a lot.

This can take a long time, like 15-20 minutes per tire, and is REALLY tiring on your hands by the time you are on your 4th tire!

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:43 am

try the street first. I believe that a few hard left-right abrupt swings should grind them off. Just like NASCAR. Of course you might get a ticket for drunk driving.

imgon · Post by **imgon** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:41 pm

Thanks for the ideas. I've only got to do two tires so I'll try a heat gun and the putty knife first. If that seems like too much work I'll have them mounted and do a couple of burnouts. I live on a cul de sac so as long as I don't do too many the neighbors won't mind. Hope all those going to Mosport have a fun, safe event, wish I was going. See you NH.

jadams · Post by **jadams** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:10 pm

Put the tires onto the driven end of your car, bring throttle to 3000 rpm, and let clutch out. If you have enough power to spin the tires, that should heat them up enough to have the rubber fly off. Or at a minimum it will heat them up enough to go an just pull the rubber off by hand.

imgon · Post by **imgon** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:15 pm

Success! I warmed them up with the heat gun and was able to get all the big stuff off. The burnouts would have been fun but it would have meant two trips to the tire shop. So they're off to be mounted and balanced. Thanks again for the ideas.

CP · Post by CP » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:33 pm

It really won't make much of a difference with the balance. I wasted an hour per tire late last winter using a MAPP gas bottle torch and putty knife to scrape my used tires. Never again.

For the amount of time I use the tires, I can handle a little off-balance while lapping. I've got a used tire source, so all of the ones I get have rubber build-up on them. One of the ones I just picked from the pile has a nice flat spot. Good thing I don't wear dentures to rattle out into my helmet...

Grippy · Post by **Grippy** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:02 pm

FYI, driving around in the rain cleans them off nicely but is a bit dangerous.

COM Sports Car Club

Cleaning R compounds

Cleaning R compounds

Who is online