car wash and brake cleaner

[BulldogRacing]

I was going through archives and Q.T explained how he used car wash to clean wheels, not alcohol. I also read that Brake cleaner is good for axles and follow up with alcohol, and last step Jig. I bought these Items today to learn how to better prep and re-prep. Do they look correct? Any experience with them bad, good? Should I re-apply R.R after car wash?

 

[Kinser Racing]

Good luck buddy! /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

Prep processes are closely guarded secrets by most. There are a few guys that are more open than others. The problem is not that people don't want to help you, they just don't want the guy they're chasing to get faster from the answer. /images/boards/smilies/wave.gif

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I'm doing the chasing, so my secrets are not as closely guarded

Dawn dish detergent or something similar cleans the wheels and removes the wax.
I have heard car soap will leave the wax intact in the bore, but I do not do this personally on a re-prep; I use Dawn.
I do use alcohol to clean my axles during a reprep, but I do follow that up with Dawn as well.
I have thought of using brake cleaner, but have not yet. I just want to have a repeatable process first, building cars that have a speed consistent with one another. Whatever you do, take notes as to how you do it, stats, on your car, at the times you run, so you can repeat it before changing to something different. At least, that's my approach.

I'm far from the fastest guy out there and each gain for me is getting harder and harder to come by as I get faster. It will take some track time and some specific questions. I'm still learning myself but getting there slowly.

You also might take a look at this thread: http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/im-in-reprep-hell-6867554?highlight=reprep+hell&trail=15

 

[OPARENNEN]

I always use break cleaner on my UNLM bearings. I didn't know anyone was using it on normal axles. My first thought is that the BC is fairly toxic, and if you use it on normal wheels/axles, you better find someone who knows the application method. When I used it in the past on bearings still in the wheels, it definitely affected the plastic/acrylic wheels, and ruined a couple. So now whenever I use it on UNLM wheels, I remove the bearings first.

 

[Guest]

Hey BullDog, congrats on the sub 3 for your first entry, looks like you're right on track speedwise.

That's the same soap I started using last year, it was the only kind I could find that was wax free. My cars were faster but those weren't the only changes I made so it's tough to say. Not sure if it's the best available but I don't think it's gonna hurt anything, I plan to keep using it this season.

 

[BulldogRacing]

Thanks Corvid, I just re prepped one car with the car wash and one with dawn, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the encouragement, I'm looking forward to race #2 Nice job to you on grabbing spot number 14, great race!

 

[Guest]

No problem dog and thank you much the congrats/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif

It's really cool to see another West Coaster racing at the NPWDRL, good luck this season!

 

[Kinser Racing]

The car wash is fine. However, Dawn will remove the wax you used to prep the wheel. Only use Dawn to strip the wheels clean. You should rewax those wheels.

 

[Guest]

Awesome possum- thanks Big Dog/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif