Has anyone tried or uses a rubber restorer on their traction tires to extend their life span?
If so any recommendations? Caveats?
Thanks
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If it makes the rubber slippery in doing its job then it won't help since you'll lose all the traction you've gained because of the presence of the tire.
Mike
I've used Re-Grip Rubber Cleaner and Revitalizer back in the day to re-grip VCR idler tires in ADATs (8 track digital multi-track recorder using SVHS tape) that got heavy usage in a commercial recording studio. It took off the glaze and made them grip much better. After many years of usage, never had a tire fail (break), before the ADATs were retired. Haven't tried it on train traction tires, but they seem like the same kind of rubber as on the tire on VCR idler wheels.
In case you're wondering what a VCR idler tire does, the idler wheel is driven by a motor that rotates against the take-up reel spline shaft. Prolonged friction between the two causes glazing of the tire, similar to train traction tires on metal track.
Note that the label claims that it "Gives racing model tires more grip". Seems like it would be good for Locomotive traction tires too.
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@SteveH, The last thing I want is my traction tires throwing an Er6 code!
Our ADATs needed maintenance so frequently, I would only put in 4 top panel screws to save time.
I would try some AT205, but I've never had traction tire issues.
Several people on this message board use a product called Bullfrog Snot (really, no kidding)
I always thought Bullfrog Snot was a traction tire substitute (better suited for smaller gauges than O gauge) and not a traction tire preservative...
@SteveH posted:I've used Re-Grip Rubber Cleaner and Revitalizer back in the day to re-grip VCR idler tires in ADATs (8 track digital multi-track recorder using SVHS tape) that got heavy usage in a commercial recording studio. It took off the glaze and made them grip much better. After many years of usage, never had a tire fail (break), before the ADATs were retired. Haven't tried it on train traction tires, but they seem like the same kind of rubber as on the tire on VCR idler wheels.
In case you're wondering what a VCR idler tire does, the idler wheel is driven by a motor that rotates against the take-up reel spline shaft. Prolonged friction between the two causes glazing of the tire, similar to train traction tires on metal track.
Note that the label claims that it "Gives racing model tires more grip. Seems like it would be good for Locomotive traction tires too.
When I seen you mention for racing model tires. For the member old enough to remember the model raceways back in the late 1960s, we used a product called Tiger Milk to give better traction to the slicks.
