1 of 1- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Scalextric tyre oil?
Just visited a friend who is a model car racing nut, and he mentioned that he and other nutters use an oil made by Scalextric to soften the rubber tyres slightly so that they have more grip. Wondered if anyone had used this oil on a hard platen, or knew about the advisability of doing so.
Sincerely,
beak.
- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Scalextric tyre oil?
Well, you made me look. I could find an oil made by Scalextric (I didn't search very hard). Apparently it's a toy car brand like Matchbox and Corgi. I did find a number of articles about softening tires of said toy and slot cars, and most were recommending 3-1 oil, WD-40, and mineral oil. I also found one specific product called Parma Champion TIRE BITE. Again, it was just a cursory look and I didn't find out what exactly that product is.
All of this aside, I would first question what type of rubber was being used for these cars, and what their Shore hardness is compared to a typewriter platen which on average is around the low 80s. If they're similar than maybe it would be worth exploring. On the flipside, if you have a platen that's completely shot anyway, why not borrow some of that product from your friend a try it out on the outside edge?
I've had great results from platen rejuvenator sprays; it doesn't bring back a rock-hard platen from the grave, but it does do a great job on softening marginal ones a little. However, if you've found something new that works better, the typewriter community will have to hoist you on its shoulders and take you on a victory lap.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Scalextric tyre oil?
I found this link
but I doubt we will be able to learn the ingredients; companies are normally quite cagey about giving out that sort of information, IME.
Already asked him to let me have a drop to test, but don't know when I shall get it.
Sincerely,
beak.
- •
Thread Starter- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Scalextric tyre oil?
...and OH Uwe - you never had a Scalextric set as a boy! Poor you.
Here's what you missed:-
Sincerely,
beak.
- •
Thread Starter- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Scalextric tyre oil?
Wow, those cars corner like they're on rails? 
Very cool! And what can I say about missing out on Scalextric as a kid? I had (still have) Matchbox and Corgi cars, but the big brand in Toronto at the time, especially when it came to 'tracks', was Hot Wheels.
Bet Scalextric didn't have radical banking or jumps!
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
