How to Increase Toy Plastic Tire Traction

Improved Traction For RC Car Tires

• 1

  Apply CA debonder along the seam between the tire and the rim. Allow the CA debonder to sit for 30 minutes.

• 2

  Remove the tire from the rim. Use scissors to cut away stubborn pieces of tire that are not released by the CA debonder.

• 3

  Remove the foam insert from inside the tire.

• 4

  Use a pen to draw a triangular pattern on the insert, the tip of each triangle at the outer edge of the insert and each triangle base at the inner edge of the insert. You should end up with a pattern similar to a many pointed star.

• 5

  Cut along your drawn pattern with a pair of scissors.

• 6

  Use fine grain sandpaper to polish the rim's surface until it is smooth.

• 7

  Replace the insert inside the tire. The tips of your triangles should be facing the inside of the tread, while the bases of your triangles should be facing the edge of the tire that fits onto the rim.

• 8

  Replace the tire on the rim. Apply adhesive along the seam between the tire and the rim if desired.

• 9

  Repeat the above process for each wheel. The gaps in the insert will allow the tire to be softer, resulting in more tread contacting the ground, which in turn will result in improved traction.

Improved Traction For Ride-On Toy Car Tires

• 10

  Lay the car on its side.

• 11

  Stretch the traction band so that it is oval in shape.

• 12

  Slip one edge of the traction band over the top edge of the tire.

• 13

  Stretch the traction band and slip the opposite edge of the band over the bottom edge of the tire.

• 14

  Adjust the band so that it lays around the center of the tire's contact surface.

• 15

  Use traction band adhesive to secure the traction band to the tire.

• 16

  Repeat the above process for each tire.

Improved Traction For Toy Train Tires

• 17

  Place an even number of 1- or 2-ounce fishing weights in a plastic zippered sandwich bag.

• 18

  Drape the plastic bag over your train's engine car with the weights evenly dispersed to either side of the car.

• 19

  Run your train. Add weights until your notice some speed loss. Remove a couple of weights until you have the maximum amount of weight without speed loss. You can also use a current meter to track the loaded current. In this case, add weights until the loaded current is increased by about 20 percent.

• 20

  Remove the plastic bag and record the optimum weight achieved in the above test.

• 21

  Measure out lead weights or lead shot to equal the weight achieved in your initial test.

• 22

  Mix 1 part craft glue with 1 part water to form a 50/50 mixture of glue and water. Place the mixture in a spray bottle.

• 23

  Open your train car, following the instructions included in your manual.

• 24

  Spread your lead weights or lead shot inside your train car. Make sure that the weights or shot are evenly dispersed so that both sides of the train car receive an even amount of weight.

• 25

  Spray your glue mixture over the weights until they are fully covered.

• 26

  Allow your glue to dry overnight.

• 27

  Reassemble your train car.