Oil ...how much?

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

Ok, so team TBR has graduated to using oil - almost. We are in the process of converting a couple of cars along with TBR Jr. building our first car designed to use oil.

On one of the cars we are converting to oil, we ran some tests with the new axles and wheels. I then let it sit for just over two weeks with the occasional few passes. I did this to see how long the oil/prep would last. The car slowed down some and I am trying to figure out all of the contributing factors. I know that dirty wheels, slight hub damage ( from having the gap too tight) and a very small piece of lint all had some contribution to the loss of speed. The question remains for us is did the timeframe and/or too much oil contribute? I was using the black Ice system along with the Hater Sauce.

While disassembling this car I noticed several droplets of oil on each axle. This was in addition to the small droplets I could see in each wheel bore. I am wondering if I may have had too much oil on each wheel? I probably should have taken some pictures???

I watched the Oil Secrets Released video in the premium section. In it John used significantly more oil than I did. Based on what I had read prior to that "less is more". I used 3-4 of the smallest drops I could get out of that dropper (they still seemed large). One on each race of the axle and the third on the outer race surface of the axle.

I have also read that the oil process will "appear dry by race day". So after 2+ weeks and about 35-40 passes, upon disassembly, I could easily see (even with the naked eye) oil droplets in the bore and on the axle. Is this too much oil?

So now for another first ...re-prep of an oil wheel /axle combination.. Another thing to learn and to try and master.

So much to learn and so little time...........

 

[Rebel Racer]

TBR I wouldn’t over think it. It’s pretty easy to use. I’m almost certain it’s only one drop per axle. That’s al I’ve been using and it seems to run fast for quite some time. I think loss of speed can be a number of factors like you stated, but also temp could fool with your results as well.
When I got my cars back from the last race I immediately put them on my track and found them to be slower. Ounce they warmed to room temp they were right back where they were. I know I have a lot of room for improvement and am not a pro yet so take what I said with a grain of salt...

 

[Vitamin K]

I use only a single drop, and wick off any excess "bubbles" with a strip of paper before mounting in the wheel (after I've turned the axle around to coat the shaft and head.) Interestingly enough, I still see little oil beads when I pull the wheel later. Suspect this has to do with the way the oil reacts to the silicone coating on the bore and axle.

FWIW, I am using plain Krytox GPL 100, which may be more viscous than the stuff John sells and demonstrates in his video. Not sure if that affects the proper amount to use.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

Thanks to Rebel and VK for your guidance. Your answers definitely help! At least I now think that I had too much oil?

Everyone, I have been here for just over a year reading everything I can to learn. Everybody has shared SO MUCH information freely. Words can not begin to express how much I/we appreciate it!!! Everyone's sharing allowed us to learn enough to help my son to take second in his pack and ultimately win at Districts last year. As he was a AOL last year it was his last race as a Cub Scout. All of you kindness and sharing allowed him to have an experience that would not have been possible without your help. To that I can not say THANK YOU enough!

To all here that viewed this thread ...

I didn't want to imply that I wanted anyone to share their secrets. Rather, since this is our first attempt at an oil car I was looking for general thoughts and guidance.

Thanks again to all that have shared and helped not only us, but all that come here. You are a great bunch of people!

 

[SuperSlow]

2nd that, well said

 

[Reecedad]

3rd that.

 

[FDM]

So now we are talking about oil. Before the oil you prep the axle with a silicone spray. Jig-A-Loo being one of the general preferred. It seems that this spray contains some organic solvent which is bad for the wheels so you want to let it dry for 10-15 min until this evaporates after which you apply the oil. My question is, would it hurt to let the axle dry for a longer period of time then the 15 min? If I let it dry for lets say an hour all the solvent should be gone and the silicone should be unaffected? In this case there will definitely no organic solvent left that could hurt the wheel bores.

 

[Vitamin K]

So now we are talking about oil. Before the oil you prep the axle with a silicone spray. Jig-A-Loo being one of the general preferred. It seems that this spray contains some organic solvent which is bad for the wheels so you want to let it dry for 10-15 min until this evaporates after which you apply the oil. My question is, would it hurt to let the axle dry for a longer period of time then the 15 min? If I let it dry for lets say an hour all the solvent should be gone and the silicone should be unaffected? In this case there will definitely no organic solvent left that could hurt the wheel bores.

I personally don't think a coating of jig should be affected by more time before insertion into the wheel. The thing I would be more concerned about, however, is dust. Make sure you put the sprayed axles into something that is dust-proof, like a plastic container.

 

[Rebel Racer]

So now we are talking about oil. Before the oil you prep the axle with a silicone spray. Jig-A-Loo being one of the general preferred. It seems that this spray contains some organic solvent which is bad for the wheels so you want to let it dry for 10-15 min until this evaporates after which you apply the oil. My question is, would it hurt to let the axle dry for a longer period of time then the 15 min? If I let it dry for lets say an hour all the solvent should be gone and the silicone should be unaffected? In this case there will definitely no organic solvent left that could hurt the wheel bores.

I agree with VK. Shouldn’t hurt one bit, in fact I have read elsewhere that others do leave them for days or longer. Consider drilling a shallow hole in a block of wood for them to stand in. I have mine set up so the nails fit snug so I can spray the axles while being held upside down to ensure I get all riding surfaces and then stand them in an air tight container till ready to use.

 

[Wolfram Racing]

I just did a build where I sprayed the axles with Jig-a-loo and let sit for a couple days. I keep them covered to avoid dust. No noticeable difference.

 

[TRE]

You have to play around with how much oil and jig to use..see what works best for you

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

here's a newbs tell of what I did. I did what I was told and it worked well. Not that this is the only way mind you just a way that worked for me. So just my 2 cents. My car is at APR tonight for tomorrow mornings race. with some great tuning help from Reecedad it tested well. I jigged, let it set 30 minutes or so and then inserted my axle into the wheel and just into the body leaving the 2 surfaces on the grooved axle showing. I dropped one drop on each surface, pulled the wheel over it and spun the wheel to distribute. Then pushed the wheel into place at the desired gap. I'm using John's SL Sizzle which would run off if I was not fast with getting the wheel over it. There's a lot to learn but it is all here and the folks before us are very quick to share for which I am sooooooo thankful!!!!

 

[Dennis]

What type of jig a loo are folks using.... orange can that says all around purpose?

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

Yes. Here’s what I have.

 

[Dennis]

Yes. Here’s what I have.

View attachment 985

Thank you sir.

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

You are most welcome! The guys here are great with helping us new guys. If you can’t find an answer certainly just ask.