I got PTFE tape from McMaster-Carr. I put a strip of it on both sides of the car to have a slick surface for the wheels to rub against. I sanded the PTFE tape around the area of the axle holes with 2,000 grit sandpaper. It left those areas looking cloudy. I then sanded again but with the 7 sided buffer starting with #4 and going through #7. The sanded areas are no longer cloudy, but I can't tell the difference in smoothness from the tape that I didn't sand. They feel the same to me. Should I sand more or should I not have sanded the tape to begin with? Thanks for any tips.
Sanding PTFE Tape
- Thread starter Wendavol
- Start date
Why are you sanding the tape? You aren't going to get it more smooth then it already is, that's the point of PTFE tape.
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http://pinewoodderbyonline.com/threads/first-ladder-body-scary.5792/
In the 8th post of that thread, B_Regal Racing wrote:
"PTFE film - you would polish like anything else, but do not start with 150 grit sandpaper. I'll use the #4 side on a nail file block (the finest side) and give it a quick polish. You can feel it with your fingers getting smoother."
If the sanding does not improve things, I'll just put new PTFE tape on.
In the 8th post of that thread, B_Regal Racing wrote:
"PTFE film - you would polish like anything else, but do not start with 150 grit sandpaper. I'll use the #4 side on a nail file block (the finest side) and give it a quick polish. You can feel it with your fingers getting smoother."
If the sanding does not improve things, I'll just put new PTFE tape on.
No sanding. Not even 2000 grit. No plastic polish. Think of it like polishing a washer...or rather cleaning it. 4 or 5 swipes with a nail file block on the finest side and your done (some blocks have 7 or 8 different grits; mine only has 4). Basically, I am trying to remove any residue that may be on the film from when it was rolled up, especially if I am running oil.
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I misunderstood. Just use the nail file block like you would for cleaning wheels. Got it. I will be putting new PTFE tape on. Thanks!
It's good you questioned, especially when things don't make sense; but, the best way to learn is to race. I know there was a race here not too long ago. It will be the best way to get your sea legs under you...and validate what you are doing.
We just put up my test track, and ran the car with the tape I sanded to see how slow it would be. Its faster than last year's car! We didn't even reprep the wheels and axles yet. I guess I didn't do that much harm with the sanding, but I'll still put new PTFE tape on. I was kinda accused of cheating last year, so I wonder what the reaction will be now.
You can use CA glue around the axle holes & polish that. "nothing mounted between the body & wheel", if that's how the rules read.
Sounds like your going to have a good one.
Good Luck, Jup.
Sounds like your going to have a good one.
Good Luck, Jup.
The rules just say no washers, so I went with a strip of PTFE tape along both sides of the car. It looks like a glossy clear sticker. I am concerned about the slickness where someone might be holding the car. I don't want it to slip through their fingers. Maybe I should sand that part of the tape to reduce the risk of the car being dropped? I hope it'll be a good one.
I've won plenty of league races with PTFE tape and did find it can get slicker. Microgloss and a coat of wax seems to do the trick. Not necessary, but it definitely gets slicker.
Are you running the tape all the way down the car? You only really need to put a half inch or so where the axle holes are.
Yes. I might be over thinking it, but I don't want to take a chance at getting disqualified. So I wanted it to appear similar to monokote or some sticker. The rules only say no washers or bushings, but I don't know what they will interpret at check-in if it's only around the axles. Any suggestions?
If it's just around the axle hole, they won't see it. It's not a rule breaker because it's not a washer or bushing. Even if they do somehow see the clear sticker behind the wheel, it'd be hard for them to say that it's a sticker or washer. Absolute worst case you just remember where your axles were positioned by marking it and take the take off and sand the wood smooth with like 1,000 grit sandpaper.
I will take your advice and just put it where the wheels will rub against the body. Maybe 1/8 inch vertical strip on the axle holes?
When I put the tape on, I just have it lined up with the height of the car (0.25 inches in the rear) and have it go a quarter inch or so down either side of the hole. Nothing fancy
The film I have used is clear. When applied, it's almost impossible to see, but even if seen, it's no different than a sticker on the side. I do tend to keep it small, less than the diameter of the wheel so it is tucked nicely inside, maybe only 1/2" in total length, centered on the axle hole; however, there is nothing wrong running it down the side of the car. There are other PTFE films that are milky in appearance. For those, I think I would run it down the side and claim its decoration, but again, it's not a washer, so it is legal. As for polishing, everyone polishes differently using different methods. And yes, I too believe everything can be polished to a slicker surface. Like people have said - don't over think it and just let it rip.
As far as the rules go, those that are fast will always be fast and have the ability to build a car to any rule set. It's not just what the rules say, but what they omit. If they were truly eliminating a friction plate, they would need to specify the wheel must touch the wood or say something like "no foreign material can be installed on the side of the car other than wheels and axles." I have heard many say there is more cheating in PWD racing than there is in NASCAR, but in this instance, I do not consider PTFE film to be a cheat. You are building to the rules given and taking advantage of an oversight or omission (does not matter which it is).
As far as the rules go, those that are fast will always be fast and have the ability to build a car to any rule set. It's not just what the rules say, but what they omit. If they were truly eliminating a friction plate, they would need to specify the wheel must touch the wood or say something like "no foreign material can be installed on the side of the car other than wheels and axles." I have heard many say there is more cheating in PWD racing than there is in NASCAR, but in this instance, I do not consider PTFE film to be a cheat. You are building to the rules given and taking advantage of an oversight or omission (does not matter which it is).
Thank you so much for the advice. We will do a 1/4 inch square on the axles holes. I'm just nervous because of an incident at council last year where it seemed like the wrong scout (my son) won. I'm bracing for more comments even though everything we are using don't do against the rules. I ask my son every year if he wants a creative looking car or try to win. He always says try to win. So we will keep doing it.
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