Gluing Tires with Zap Rubberized CA Glue

Tony Phalen March 25, 2014 How Tos

It may not be a favorite RC task for most of us but we will all need to glue up some new tires at some point in our RC careers. Zap has introduced rubberized CA glue that won’t become brittle like other tire glues. The process of gluing tires is the same but the Zap glue is a little thicker than many other glues.

Once you have placed your foam insert into the tire you need to “roll” it around inside to make sure there are no creases. Do this b y placing your fingers inside as shown and press outward while rolling your hands on e over the other until the insert is evenly placed. If you use the molded urethane type of inserts they should fit much for easily.

Once the insert is placed, use your thumb and work it around the bead to make sure the foam is completely secured under the bead.

Push the wheel in from the front by started at one side and pushing all the way around the wheel until it is seated in the tire.

Carefully work you way around the bead on the back side of the wheel, using both hands, to confirm that the tire is seated properly and the foam is not pinched or bunched up. Again, molded inserts are much easier at this stage, and not likely to get out of shape.

Pull and stretch the bead on the front of the tire to seat it properly on the wheel. Keep and eye on the foams here, too.

I like to use Velcro battery straps while the glue dries. Place the strap loosely around the tire. Pull the bead out gently and place the glue in small drops. Let the bead in then pull it out and let it in again. This will help to spread the thick glue evenly. Use the glue sparingly to keep it from oozing out onto the face of the tire. Work your way around the tire’s bead. By the time you get back to where you started the first glue applied will be starting to take hold and cure.