"Grip tyre softener" stockists

[Mr Ree]

Hi TS'ers

As they have done quite alot of work already, but still have a good amount of rubber left on them, I want to give my Dunlop slicks a new lease of life before my next track day, and I have been wanting to buy this product for the past year of more, but havent found anyone in NZ who sells it

Does anybody here no of anywhere it can be bought on shore? And if so, what did it cost you?

Thanks alot

[1I1]

Hey Reith have you tried any local Go Kart clubs or shops? They would dope tyres (which is now against the rules) to make them softer. Could always see if anyone has some left over.

[atmosports]

Try Cardwells, pretty sure they've had HotLap or simlar listed for ages in their catalogues. From memory it ain't cheap, but mainly due to the costs of shipping it here(From my enquiries it's a hazardous substance & even shipping it across the USA costs heaps as well).

I've heard lots of stories both good & bad. All I'll say is if you use it pay close attention to your tyres.

[Mr Ree]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

I will contact some go kart places and see what they say.

Atmosports, thanks for the name (Cardwells). Although the product Im looking for is completely safe to ship and non hazzardous so can be shipped easily from the UK where its made, but like anything for my car, I just prefer to buy it on shore if its realistically priced.

What bad stuff have you heard about tyre softeners if you dont mind sharing the info? I like to be fully informed so any info you can share is appreciated

[loose_unit]

Ive got some stuff I bought from Cardwells. It was hella expensive though around $160 shipped from memory. Its called fast track and I use it to soften up my drag radials at the start of the drag season.
Have used it plenty of times and havent noticed any negative effects from using it. One thing I have noticed and was recommended was that you scuff the tyres up before you use it or else it doesnt sink in very well. Good excuse for some sustained loss of traction?

[Mr Ree]

Thanks for the info pal.

How have you found it performs?

How big is the container you bought, and how many applications do they suggest you would get out of it?

Also, is it a hazzardous/flammable substance?

The "grip" product is similar in that it recommends you clean off all marbles and grit first in order to allow the product to evenly soak through the entire surface. They show an image of somebody using a paint scraper to clean them up so I will probably employ that method before trying to do burnouts on full slicks lol

[atmosports]

I've heard of plenty of tyres failing or falling to bits after using tyre softeners, mainly when used on reasonably new tyres, but as above only heard the stories as haven't really used it

As for cleaning marbles & buildup off tyres, best thing I've found is a heat gun & scrapper(Or a paint stripping gun which is both combined). Though you'll want to do it outdoors as the hot rubber smells & you'll have a big pile of rubber shavings & crap to sweep up after.

[Mr Ree]

I've heard of plenty of tyres failing or falling to bits after using tyre softeners, mainly when used on reasonably new tyres, but as above only heard the stories as haven't really used it

As for cleaning marbles & buildup off tyres, best thing I've found is a heat gun & scrapper(Or a paint stripping gun which is both combined). Though you'll want to do it outdoors as the hot rubber smells & you'll have a big pile of rubber shavings & crap to sweep up after.

Thanks for the reply.

Just for clarity, in regards to delaminating etc, are you talking about street radials, bias ply drag slicks or radial full slicks?

Yes, the paint stripping gun sounds like a good method, although my slicks only have a few marbles on them so I might just use a scraper to get them prepared.

[atmosports]

Mainly street radials & radial slicks. I'm not saying don't use, I'm just saying if you do use it, like anything modified outside of manufacturers specs keep an eye on them, same as I do with any tyres that I recut/groove etc as no matter how careful you are it doesn't take much to damage a tyre & the last thing you want is a tyre failing.

I also used to know an industrial chemist who brewed his own stuff, never ever got picked up, stunk like hell when it was being applied but don't thin k he ever had any dramas with it, no idea what he used in his brew but I've heard of people trying diesel,paint strippers,atf etc etc.

[2jayzgte]

Reith don't use it mate I honestly don't think it'll be to beneficial to what you wanna do.I mean I had'nt used my slicks for 9 months but outside of no grip for 2 laps once the heat was back in them they were great.I also found the correct start up pressures for them also and found out for most of the day I had them running hot pressures of between 31-32 psi right where you want them front and rear.

[Mr Ree]

The difference is you always bought your slicks brand new, so the only heat cycles they have seen are the ones you have given them, so they have alot of life left in them.

The ones I have were from an NZV8 team, so have done alot more heat cycles, and I feel they could do with some extra grip now they are 3 years old.

I always keep them in their boxes, in the dark, under the house, but at the end of each session at Taupo in January, I could notice them starting to offer less grip, yest my pressures were bang on target etc.

Im still in the researching stage at the moment though, and havent decided to take the plunge yet, Im just desperate to not have to spend $2k on new rubber, especially if I can avoid it with a small tin of liquid.

[2jayzgte]

The difference is you always bought your slicks brand new, so the only heat cycles they have seen are the ones you have given them, so they have alot of life left in them.

The ones I have were from an NZV8 team, so have done alot more heat cycles, and I feel they could do with some extra grip now they are 3 years old.

I always keep them in their boxes, in the dark, under the house, but at the end of each session at Taupo in January, I could notice them starting to offer less grip, yest my pressures were bang on target etc.

Im still in the researching stage at the moment though, and havent decided to take the plunge yet, Im just desperate to not have to spend $2k on new rubber, especially if I can avoid it with a small tin of liquid.

Reith I never had those problems as the last set of slicks I used lasted me 3 years aswell I just did what you did and left them in a nice coolish place and wrapped in the plastic they never let me down once.

To be honest I wouldn't hesitate to spend $2K on new slicks if you think about it there going to last you upwards of 10 or so track-days and probably 2-3 years so if you look at it that way its $675 odd a year and that first year you'll be going like a rocket.I never did get why alot of people buy 2nd hand but each to there own I guess.

[Mr Ree]

I didnt buy new slicks, simply because I cant justify spending that amount of money yet, considering Im just having fun at track days, and as I cant afford to attend as many days as I would like, in order to get enough value for money out of them (my last day was taupo in January) $675 spent on tyres alone, for 1 track day is extremely cost prohibitive for most people, especially considering it costs the guts of $1k to attend a day as it is, once all the extra costs are added up. (brakes/fluids/travel/accomo etc)

But once my financial situation changes, I will definitely follow suit, and buy a new set, and by that stage, I will completely understand all the little ins and outs of running full slicks and get the full benefit out of them

[pc]

Did you end up getting anything? and did it work?

[Mr Ree]

Unfortunately, I decided to not risk it, and have just kept using the slicks as they are.

I think this weekend away will be the last, or second to last time I will use them...then its decision time lol

[pc]

Stink. I'm looking for a way to use some old semis on the drag strip. Unfortunately they are much harder than they use to be, and a stickier tyre would be good for the 60'.

Anyone else used anything to soften tyres?

[Mr Ree]

Im planning on going to the Feb meet at Masterton, but dont have any proper rubber to take, so 60ft will be laughable as usual lol

[GOLDAE86]

Ive been told bleach with work. Have never tried it tho. Bleach then wrap in glad wrap.