Protecting / Treating Original Tires?

[Cpt.America]

So I just got my mint / never-run JRX2 in the mail today... man is this thing gorgeous. Original brittle orange 5 spoke wheels, the works. My question is, what are you guys doing with the rubber? Are you treating it with something to keep it soft or are you letting it just sit? The tires on this car are in perfect condition, but they certainly arent as soft as they were brand new I don't think. Id like to keep them in perfect shape for as long as possible.... thoughts?

[shirochanwrx]

Something other than WD40 or ArmourAll!

You don't want anything with silicone or solvents that will attack the rubber.

Auto interior vinyl interior protectant with UV blocker from a reputable company would be a good start. 303 Aerospace Protectant is excellent and doesn't leave too glossy a surface. Meguires makes a "Quick Detailer" that is easy to use and more widely available. Vinylex has been a good product for me, but I've heard that the quality is not as good as it used to be and I haven't used it in ages. Any of them can be sprayed on, left overnight, and then wiped off/buffed to the desired sheen. I don't use the really glossy stuff, so if that is the look you are after, maybe someone else can give you some guidance.

[Charlie don't surf]

Food grade silicone is a great treatment-

[GJW]

wurth rubber care is expensive but wicked gear! i hope your working towards posting some pic's of losi's first buggy creation brother

[Cpt.America]

Wurth rubber care, huh. Doesn't look TOO expensive... Maybe I will give that a shot.

Photos.. yes, well... I am debating on whether to do a small little 5link photoshoot now, or wait until I obtain a gear cover, and electronics. I am hoping to put in some period correct electronics, and a revolution motor (which I can' seem to find). i will need help with all of this, perhaps in another thread.

[Cpt.America]

I have another question for you guys... so the only thing I can really find wrong with my new buggy, is right where the shock eyelets are screwed over the shock shafts, there appears to be some corrosion.

Is this rust?
What do you recommend to get it off?
Does this indicate that perhaps it has original oil still in the dampers?
Do you guys leave your shelf cars with the shocks full, or empty?

[kaiser]

IIRC the early losi oil was actually water based and could rust the shafts. so it may indeed be rust, but as long as the shafts look ok you'll be fine.
just clean off the corrosion.

also if you want to rebuild the shocks, modern losi shock cartidges fit well and have 2 orings instead of 1,

[Cpt.America]

How do you recommend getting the gunk off? I was thinking about chucking the shafts into my dremmel and plolishing with metal polish and a terry cloth... or will I need something stronger like a wire wheel from my dremmel?

[CamplinP]

That is how I have polished them in the past with good results. I chuck the piston end into the Dremel and then use strips of 1200 grit sand paper followed by a metal polish. Depending on the corosion you might need some more abrasion to start with. Just make sure you don't take too much material off or you might not get a good seal with the O-rings.

[Cpt.America]

Awesome... I think I have some 600... need to get some 1200.

[Cpt.America]

So i pulled the shocks apart, and chucked each one into my dremel. Started with 220 grit with light pressure, which knocked all the big stuff off... then switched to 1200. Then, using the wire wheel brush, I dremel'd the threads clean. They came out pretty dang good. There are some deeper pits that you can see if you look really closly, but i dont think there is a need to take the entire shaft down that far. Rebuilt with some new modern day losi shock oil, and they are done! looks fantastic.

Am i correct in assuming that modern shock oil wont corrode and re-rust the shafts?

[CamplinP]

Is this going to be a runner or shelfer?

[Cpt.America]

Tihs one in particular is a never-run shelf queen. I have another im restoring to be a runner in future vintage class.

[Charlie don't surf]

The new silicone shock fluid will not degrade the shafts at all-