Race day failure....sort of

Pinewood Outlaw

Council Champion
Feb 20, 2018
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Daughter places 1st place for Wolf at District Race but missed Grand Champion by 2 hundredth of second. This was the Cub Scout District Race with Girl Scout District Race later in the day. Decided to go home and clean the wheels off of all the graphite. So with 2 hours before race I decided to do a wheel re prep. Took wheels off and used dawn dishsoap to clean wheels..then Black Ice kit #2 step followed by Red Rocket. Quickly used polishing cloth and Next Level Axle polish to hit the axles then cleaned them off with Windex. Placed axles is wheels and got my Holy Water to relube...but the dropper that comes with it kinda pit out to big of a drop of oil. Tried to clean off the excess that was visible at outer hub then placed axle back in.

On to Girl Scout Race...she did when 1st in her group but missed getting Grand Champion and lost to car she beat earlier that day. Her times got slower by 3 hundredth....with each run down the track being slower than the last.

Guess I should have left the car alone from earlier performances that day. All I can figure is too much lube second time around.
 
Its a wax. I'll let it be for minimum of 3 days, and if time allows, a week. If you are using Holy Water, it will last; no need to re-prep between races. It can last 3 months with the proper care. Just clean the wheels.

As a side note, too much oil is slow. The dropper that comes with the oil is too much. Try to get a syringe or something similar to apply oil (or something that can limit the amount of oil applied). You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Here is another test regarding Dawn and the removal of wax. Use some rubbing compound and remove the wax on a small spot on your car. Pour water on that spot and ensure the water does not bead. Take a little dab of Red Rocket and wax that same spot. Let it dry and after maybe 15 minutes (after it hazes over), wipe off the excess. Let the car sit for a day or two to let the wax cure (yes, you can drive it). After the wax has cured, pour some water on that spot. The water should bead. Take a little bit of Dawn on a clean rag and with no more pressure than you would apply to a wheel bore, remove the wax from the spot. Again, pour some water on that spot. I suspect the water will bead. This is because Red Rocket is not just a straight wax / grease that would dissolve with Dawn. Give it a try.....worst that can happen is you have a clean spot on your car.
 
I've always just let the red rocket haze over then buffed the bore. Haven't watched the video of John applying it for some time and can't remember him saying let red rocket cure for a day...maybe I just dont remember. Anyways lesson learned and should have let it ride lol.