Tips for gluing tires to wheels

[Coelacanth]

Okay, I have another request for tips on how you guys do a clean job of gluing your tires to the wheels. I previously asked for an easy way of removing chrome from the inner channels so that tires will glue there better, but beyond that, depending on how tight a tire fits to the wheel, it can be rather troublesome to get a tire bead to glue to a wheel without making a mess on the outside.

I've seen tire mounters on eBay but can't see how they'd make the job much easier, but I could be wrong.

CA glue containers don't usually have thin enough applicator tips to easily force inside a tight-fitting tire & rim channel. Something like a bent hypodermic needle would be a pretty good applicator, but maybe some of you have your own tips & tricks you'd like to share. Much appreciated!

[tim.sanderson]

First things first, I turn the tire inside out, and give it a good washing with soap. (dish soap probably works best) You want to get all of the release agent (used during the molding process) off of the tire before you try to glue it. It's probably a good idea to do the same with the wheels. Then turn them right-side-out, and put the inserts inside the tire, and pull the tire over the rim. Make sure it's seated on the wheel properly before you add the glue.
You don't have to worry about getting glue all around the edges of the tire/wheel. With a thin tire glue, capillary action will get it around the wheel. I use glue that's really thin, (as thin as water) and only put a drop on each of the 'four corners' of the wheel. A little light massaging should help the glue get pulled through out the entire wheel. If you have a few fat elastics handy, stretch them over the tire, along the inner and outer edge. This will help hold the tire snugly as the glue cures. (although it's not necessary. I rarely do the elastic thing)

[shane]

Testor makes aplicator tips. If you can't find any, I have some nice ones (not Testor) that are steel, needle tube with plastic collar, overall, about an inch long. I'm always willing to help another rc brother out. LMK

[Coelacanth]

I'm interested---how does that work? Does the tip screw or press onto the glue container's plastic tip?

[tim.sanderson]

Tire glues usually come with applicator tubes to use as a nozzle. You just trim off a piece, and insert it into the tip.

glue.jpg (6.46 KiB) Viewed 1096 times

glue.jpg (6.46 KiB) Viewed 1096 times

[shane]

These have like a single course thread, I have used them for both screw on and press on and they work great, just keep'm clean. Sorry, I don't have a pic. Shoot me a PM with your addy and I'll have one in the mail for you.

[Erich Reichert]

Very first article I ever wrote... enjoy!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=360

[Coelacanth]

Nice article, Erich...thanks for sharing that!

[rctenracer]

I just use CA . Wipe away any unwanted with acetone.

[Monkeyman2500]

Thanks for the article, that helps me out alot.

[Coelacanth]

I just use CA . Wipe away any unwanted with acetone.

Don't try this with chrome rims, though.