Cleaning tires with WD 40?

[Dee55]

Had a question, wanna clean my tires on my 1/10 will WD40 mess em up or damage the tires .. sounds crazy I wanna clean the tire especially cause it runs in grass and dirt a lot but call me crazy but I like to have em shine when it's on display.

 

[Littlemotor]

Had a question, wanna clean my tires on my 1/10 will WD40 mess em up or damage the tires .. sounds crazy I wanna clean the tire especially cause it runs in grass and dirt a lot but call me crazy but I like to have em shine when it's on display.

Totally fine, and recommended.

It WILL “soften” them, but unless your tires last you a year per set-not enough to accelerate your wear..

 

[Warby]

I have used WD40 to clean tyres but I wouldn't soak them in it or leave it on the tyres. It may deformed the rubber. I spray then wipe.

 

[Littlemotor]

I've have used WD40 to clean tyres but I wouldn't soak them in it or leave it on the tyres. It may deformed them the rubber. I spray then wipe.

It’s common practice with racers. I’ve been doing it for over 20yrs.. clean them, spray them down, blow off with compressed air, and it’s good to go.. Leaving it on them isn’t going to hurt anything either.. WD-40 is farrrrrr from aggressive enough to tear up the rubber.

 

[Dee55]

Totally fine, and recommended.

It WILL “soften” them, but unless your tires last you a year per set-not enough to accelerate your wear..

Thanks... Just wanted make sure it was ok before I did it cause seems like I have bad luck alot lol

 

[Warby]

It’s common practice with racers. I’ve been doing it for over 20yrs.. clean them, spray them down, blow off with compressed air, and it’s good to go.. Leaving it on them isn’t going to hurt anything either.. WD-40 is farrrrrr from aggressive enough to tear up the rubber.

I'm sure your right then. I've never left WD40 on the tyres long enough to test. I just know from experience that some hydrocarbons/petroleum oils will make rubber swell and deformed if left on it. WD40 is petroleum based.

 

[Ade C]

Would something used on full size cars work? I think a lot of it is silicone based?

 

[tntpoof]

you use simple green wd will make them attract dust we used to use wd on are carpet tires it makes them sticky....Theres products that can be used by Chemical Guys...they have a variety of names.youll have to choose what one you want I ue the Green colored one

 

[RustyUs]

Clean tires in your favorite fashion. Finish up with your favorite automotive tire shine "stuff".
SC-1, Armor All, silicone sprays, etc. etc.

 

[rockcrawlernick]

I'm sure your right then. I've never left WD40 on the tyres long enough to test. I just know from experience that some hydrocarbons/petroleum oils will make rubber swell and deformed if left on it. WD40 is petroleum based.

Yea just make sure that the tire is glued to the rim or else the tire may expand and not fit.

 

[Greywolf74]

People use WD40 but I prefer simple green

 

[rockcrawlernick]

Yea that’s what I would use

 

[bill_delong]

Most racers in my area prefer Simple Green to clean their tires with no change in chemical properties of the rubber.

If you want some extra grip (as stated earlier) then spray WD40 (preferably Dry Lube ) about 10-15 min before use to improve grip at the expense of faster tire wear. The longer you wait after that 15 min window will lose it's effectiveness gradually. WD40 is considered the least aggressive tire sauce for improving traction.

One of the most aggressive tire sauce products is PB Blaster, I buy this by the gallon and fill into empty shock bottles and apply with a toothbrush to get amazing grip.

Another trick for parking lot racing, I would use my blower to remove any debris, then fill a garden sprayer with grape soda and spray the area with a light mist and allow to dry for 30 min. I use this drying time to setup some garden hose to make my own track to get amazing grip!

Here's an example of a schoolyard track I sprayed with grape soda, then sauced the tires on my basher with WD40: