New guy here

Snow .. I knew these guys would make sure you were straight.
ok
Once the car comes up against the rail it should keep the DFW off the body..Do what Kinser says use the acrylic ..Smooth the body best you can behind the wheels.. No rough paint.. clear coat the paint too this will help.. Good luck at the race.
 
I have five grandsons I am helping. All in different councils, so it is a challenge.

Last night, I found out that one who is racing this Saturday requires no cant (i.e. wheels flat on the track, and all four must touch). So at last minute, I had to re-drill the back axle holes in a completely finished car. Also, we had to drill a hole in the bottom of the car where the two axles meet (to be sure that pointed BSA nails are used), and the two holes must be left open, with the nail points visable. The rules stated that it was to be sure no solid axles like PineCar sells. Sat will tell the tale. However, oil is allowed. ????

Another three allowed no washers. I solved that by using Monocote (used on model airplane wings) on the bottom of the car, and rounding it up on the sides. Good as Teflon washers. And one type sticks as good as plumbers tape which most of us use to hold the weight.
 
Thanks all. I guess this is where having your own track to actually test on would really come in handy.... I will have to put that on the wish list.
 
Currently awaiting the rules for our district derby. So I can determine if I can cant axles or not. But I see some other topics I have questions about.

Washers What is this? What do they do?

Monocote? Is this the vinyl type coating that is available at the RC stores? What advantage does this have? Is it heat applied? Does is add as much or more weight as paint would?
 
36racin said:
Currently awaiting the rules for our district derby. So I can determine if I can cant axles or not. But I see some other topics I have questions about.

Washers What is this? What do they do?

Monocote? Is this the vinyl type coating that is available at the RC stores? What advantage does this have? Is it heat applied? Does is add as much or more weight as paint would?

Teflon washers go on the axle after the wheel. Providing a slick surface for the wheel hub to ride up against as apposed to rubbing against the body of the car.They're illegal for most pack and district races. I've never used Monocote, so I have no info on it. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif
 
36 .. Monocote can be had at any decent hobby shop. It is used for airplanes and all sorts of things. It's basically a super slick self adhesive covering. comes in all color in strips 6" wide 2 feet long. I don't think it vinyl but it;s slick and glossy like photo paper but real thin.. Just cut to size and stick on the body. Maybe one of these other guys can tell what it actually made of .. But it is cool and fast and won't get DQ'ed like a washer would.. Happy trails.
 
36racin said:
Currently awaiting the rules for our district derby. So I can determine if I can cant axles or not. But I see some other topics I have questions about.

Washers What is this? What do they do?

Monocote? Is this the vinyl type coating that is available at the RC stores? What advantage does this have? Is it heat applied? Does is add as much or more weight as paint would?

Monocote (spelling) is what airplane enthusiasts use on airplane wings and bodies. one type is heat applied, the other sticks after removing backing. Very thin, so very little weight increase. Several kinds, one won't shrink with heat, so can only be used on solid surfaces. Weighs about same as several coats of paint. The other is even thinner and lighter, usually used on airplane wings. Must be heat applied.

No real advantage, I only used it on bottom surface instead of paint, so it could fold it up on the sides, thus creating a very smooth surface to duplicate Teflon washers which are not allowed in most BSA events. There are other ways, like painting sides with very hard paint (maybe epoxy paint.) I found out that the heat treated monocoat weighs less or same as paint, and very fast to apply.
 
Thanks guys. I had first seen the monocote at the RC shop while looking for one of those DW tools. At the time I thought it would be nice to have a good slick paint job. Just wasnt sure how or if it would be good to use.
 
I think the slicker and smoother the surface of a car, the faster it will go. Alot of the best racers don't even paint their cars in leiu of weight. I have a system that uses waterslides and clear coat laquer that keeps the car at a specific weight. For instance, my Street Pro car (TRISKADEKAPHOBIA) was at a weight of .510 after drilling axle holes, weight pockets then shaping the car. After sealing the body, putting on the waterslide and clear coating & wetsanding & buffing it out plus adding fenders, and DD4H wheels/axles, the car was at a total weight of 1.005 ozs. thus leaving me approximately 4 ozs of weight to put in the car, and that translates to speed. Now, I ain't had the race results that I would like lately, but it's not because my cars have paint on them, I just have been getting beat..fair and square, plain and simple!! But, I have had my cars intentionally running slow so that everyone can see how many times the color shifts in the paint as it passes by the lights(that's a bit of a FIB), all joking aside, it is the builders preference as to do they spend time painting, or time testing and tuning. I would prefer the latter, but I really enjoy making a car look like a piece of candy as well.
Take care,
Spark
 
D.G.143 said:
I think the slicker and smoother the surface of a car, the faster it will go. Alot of the best racers don't even paint their cars in leiu of weight. I have a system that uses waterslides and clear coat laquer that keeps the car at a specific weight. For instance, my Street Pro car (TRISKADEKAPHOBIA) was at a weight of .510 after drilling axle holes, weight pockets then shaping the car. After sealing the body, putting on the waterslide and clear coating & wetsanding & buffing it out plus adding fenders, and DD4H wheels/axles, the car was at a total weight of 1.005 ozs. thus leaving me approximately 4 ozs of weight to put in the car, and that translates to speed. Now, I ain't had the race results that I would like lately, but it's not because my cars have paint on them, I just have been getting beat..fair and square, plain and simple!! But, I have had my cars intentionally running slow so that everyone can see how many times the color shifts in the paint as it passes by the lights(that's a bit of a FIB), all joking aside, it is the builders preference as to do they spend time painting, or time testing and tuning. I would prefer the latter, but I really enjoy making a car look like a piece of candy as well.
Take care,
Spark

you are right on with that.
i will say this, this years NPWDRL lineup is without a doubt the best lookin bar none !! and if you look at the overall speeds, it is also the fastest.