Nail Polish (or something) on Axles to Decrease Play Between Axle and Wheel?

[1reason]

After several painful years I finally learned that I'm grinding too much material off the axles (after 20-30 hours between myself and son's trying to make the axles last year right, a car that had zero work beat one of ours. That's when I started looking at fresh out of the box axles compared to ones we filed and found we did more damage than good).

So now I know my son's should not press hard on the file when removing the factory marks from the nails, but in the process I was thinking of ways to "rebuild" the nails with something stronger than zinc or at least smoother/better to make contact with the plastic wheel.

Is metal the only way to go? can an epoxy and or other material like fingernail polish (I know I'm reaching) be better than a highly polished zinc nail? (we don't have time to consider nickel this year as the race is only a few days away and I'm already stressed)

Thanks in advance

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Just don't go crazy on the axles. Me personally, I wouldn't even mess with something like that. If I wanted a bigger axle I would just buy a machined one. You would have to build it up then lathe turn it and that would be an experience I am sure.

 

[txchemist]

What he said- I have done epoxy and nail polish and CA- and they are NOT as fast as out of the box sprayed with silicone, and that is WAY slower than Dynasty 92 BSA axles ( commonly found on 1st place cars)

 

[Falcon777]

Out of the box axles and wheels are extremely fast when prepared correctly. For $6.95, do yourself a favor and order out of the box axles that have the markings cleaned up. Quick polish with red greed and blue jewelers rouge, jig and oil and You are finished. Properly clean, polish, and wax the wheel bores. You can also try the DD4H polishing kit but no more than five seconds of wet sanding for each grit. Seven cars I help build all won their pack races and on their way to districts and note, they beat cars with ultralite wheels and SS grooved axles. The key is in the axle and bore prep.

 

[1reason]

Out of the box axles and wheels are extremely fast when prepared correctly. For $6.95, do yourself a favor and order out of the box axles that have the markings cleaned up. Quick polish with red greed and blue jewelers rouge, jig and oil and You are finished. Properly clean, polish, and wax the wheel bores. You can also try the DD4H polishing kit but no more than five seconds of wet sanding for each grit. Seven cars I help build all won their pack races and on their way to districts and note, they beat cars with ultralite wheels and SS grooved axles. The key is in the axle and bore prep.

What do you use on the side of the car where the wheel hub meets the wood?

I read (somewhere) that nail polish can be good as a surface to rub against (that's where I originally had the idea from with the axles)

 

[Falcon777]

I use Monokote Trim Steets which is very slick. A drop of oil works wonders on it.

 

[TRE]

go get the revell axles they dont have the bures..sally hasen teflon tuff is the only nail polish that has been found to work. it is discontinued, but amazon still has some..you can get the revell axles at hobby lobby or michaels for few bucks

 

[down4derby]

I agree with the revell axles. They are much much better than the grand prix and they are official BSA.

 

[Falcon777]

Are the heads beveled on the Revell?

 

[TRE]

no i dont think so