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tire glue diameter

What is tire glue diameter, and how does it affect the handling of an RC car?

Brent Klingforth showing the nice glue ring created by his Perfect Edge Tire Gluer.

When gluing RC car tires to a wheel, either foam or rubber tires, some drivers will leave a line of glue around the side of the tire. Then, they will sand that glue down, so it extends a specific distance from the wheel on all side. This glue on the sidewall serves to stiffen the side of the tire, preventing it from flexing (as much) when going into a turn. On a rubber tire, this glue may prevent it from folding under the wheel.

It is most often used in on-road touring car racing (with rubber tires), but also sometimes used in off-road racing with rubber tires or on-road racing with foam tires.

See our article on tire gluing for more information.