Last Updated on December 15, 2023 by Jaxon Mike

RC crawlers are a specialized type of remote control vehicle designed for slow, technical driving over rocky, uneven terrain. Unlike fast RC racers, crawlers are built for maximum torque and optimized grip at low speeds.

One of the most important components on any RC crawler are the tires. The tires need to conform to irregular terrain and maintain grip on rocks and inclines.

Out of the box, most crawler tires are hard and stiff for packaging and shipping purposes. To improve traction and performance, crawler tires need to be softened and conditioned.

Softening crawler tires helps in a few key ways:

• Increased flex – Softer tires can conform better to uneven surfaces for continuous contact and grip. Stiff tires are more likely to bounce and lose contact with the terrain.
• Enhanced traction – Soft tire rubber hugs rocks and vegetation better to find grip instead of slipping. This is especially helpful for climbing.
• Improved control – Softer sidewalls allow more suspension articulation and a wider footprint on uneven ground. This allows crawlers to pick precise lines.

Properly softening and breaking in crawler tires helps maximize their traction and performance. This article will cover the tools and techniques needed to soften crawling tires for any RC scaler.

Necessary Tools for Softening Crawler Tires

Softening crawler tires is a simple process but does require some specific tools:

Silicone Oil or Rubber Tire Conditioner

The most important supply is silicone oil or rubber conditioner made specifically for RC tires. Silicone-based oils work best to permeate the rubber compound and keep it supple. Common options include:

• Team Losi Tire Juice
• Pro-Line Tire Softener
• RPM Tire Conditioner

Avoid petroleum-based oils as they can damage the rubber over time.

Dish Soap and Water

To properly clean tires before applying conditioner, dish soap and water works well. Avoid harsh detergents.

Bucket or Container

Soaking tires in conditioner requires a plastic bucket or container large enough to hold the tires.

Soft Brush

A soft brush helps agitate the conditioner into the tread and clean any dirt out of the rubber. An old toothbrush works well.

Cleaning Dirty Crawlers Tires

Before conditioning, tires should be cleaned to remove any dirt, debris and oils. Here is the cleaning process:

1. Remove the tires from the wheels – The conditioner works best when directly applied to the rubber. Take the tires off the wheels.
2. Mix dish soap and water – Fill the bucket with warm water and add a couple squirts of dish soap.
3. Scrub the tires – Use a soft brush to clean all surfaces of the tire tread and sidewalls. Remove any embedded dirt and oils.
4. Rinse tires thoroughly – Rinse off all soap residue until the water runs clear. Dry the tires fully with a lint-free cloth.

A thorough cleaning removes any contaminants that could hinder the penetration of the tire conditioner.

Choosing and Applying a Silicone Tire Conditioner

With clean tires, the next step is choosing a conditioner and applying it correctly:

1. Pick a silicone-based conditioner – For optimal softening, use a tire conditioner made with silicone instead of petroleum. Products like Tire Juice or RPM Softener work very well.
2. Apply a thin layer – Use a brush or rag to wipe a thin, even coat of conditioner onto the entire tire. Don’t over apply.
3. Let soak for at least 2 hours – For best penetration, let the tires soak in the conditioner bath for a couple hours before re-installing. The longer the better.
4. Wipe away any excess – Use a clean rag to wipe off any conditioner that remains on the outer tread before installing the tires.

Proper application ensures the silicone penetrates deep into the rubber compound to keep the tires soft and supple.

Breaking-In Newly Softened Tires

Once conditioned and re-installed, the tires need to be broken in gradually:

• Start on pavement – Run the crawler on pavement for a few battery packs to begin wearing in the soft tread.
• Progress to harder terrain – Move to harder packed dirt or grass to increase traction demands. Avoid rocks initially.
• Finish on rocks – Finally, run the crawler over rocky surfaces to fully work the tread and set the shape of the softened rubber.
• Repeat conditioning – As tires wear in, reapply conditioner periodically to maintain pliable rubber.

Gradually increasing traction forces helps prevent chunks of tread from tearing out as the tires break-in. This maximizes the softening effects and tread life.

Tools Needed to Soften Tires

In addition to tire conditioner, there are a few other supplies that are useful to have on hand for softening crawler tires:

Plastic Gloves

Wearing gloves during the cleaning and conditioning process helps keep your hands clean. The conditioner in particular can be messy and hard to wash off skin. Disposable gloves are inexpensive and effective.

Rags

You’ll need some clean, lint-free rags for wiping excess conditioner off the tires before reinstalling them. Paper towels can work too. It’s good to have a dedicated set of rags for tire maintenance.

Plastic Storage Bins

It can be handy to store crawler tires in sealed plastic storage bins or bags after conditioning. This prevents dust and debris from sticking to the conditioned rubber before you reinstall them.

Tire Brush

A stiff nylon tire brush is great for scrubbing off any chunks of mud or dirt stuck on the tires before cleaning. This helps the dish soap work more effectively.

Tire Marking Pen

Marking the tires with a paint pen allows you to keep track of which ones have been conditioned already. Easily identify which need to be conditioned on the next cycle.

Having these basic supplies makes it easier to keep your crawler tires as clean and conditioned as possible.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Here is a more detailed step-by-step process for properly cleaning crawler tires before applying conditioner:

1. Remove the body clips and shock towers to detach the tires from the axles. Slide the tires off the wheel hexes.
2. Mix warm water and a squirt of dish soap in a bucket. Swirl the soap and water around to make suds.
3. Dip a stiff tire brush in the soapy water and scrub the tires to remove any dried mud or dirt. Focus on cracks and voids where debris collects.
4. Take each tire and dip it in the sudsy bucket to completely wet the rubber. Use a soft brush to agitate the soap solution into the tread grooves.
5. For tough dirt, let the tires soak in the suds for 5-10 minutes to loosen debris. Then use the brushes to scrub again.
6. One at a time, thoroughly rinse each tire under running water while brushing to remove all soap residue.
7. Dry the tires completely using clean rag. Make sure no moisture remains before moving onto conditioning.
8. Mark the tires with a pen to note they’ve been cleaned and are ready for conditioning.

Repeat these steps as needed whenever crawler tires get very dirty from heavy use. Proper cleaning is the foundation for maximum softening.

Silicone Oils vs. Petroleum Conditioners

Choosing the right type of tire conditioner is critical for softening performance without degrading the rubber over time. Here’s a comparison between silicone oils and petroleum conditioners:

Silicone Oils

• Penetrate into rubber keeping it soft and flexible
• Do not cause tire rubber to swell or distort
• Won’t damage foam inserts or tire gluing
• Maintain pliability even as rubber ages
• Can be applied liberally without negative effects

Petroleum Conditioners

• Do not penetrate rubber as well long-term
• Cause rubber to expand and distort temporarily
• Can degrade glues and foam over time
• Allow rubber to become brittle as it ages
• Heavy use can lead to breakdown of rubber

Additionally, silicone based conditioners like Tire Juice are water soluble making them easy to remove with soap and water. Petroleum conditioners leave an oily residue.

For maintaining soft tires that perform well consistently, silicone rubber conditioners are by far the best choice for RC crawlers and scalers.

Breaking in Tires on Different Terrains

Here are some tips for breaking in newly softened crawler tires on various surfaces:

On Pavement:

• Make wide slow turns to wear in tire edges evenly
• Adjust slipper clutch loosely so tires can slip under power
• Drive over painted lines or manhole covers for increased traction

On Hard Dirt:

• Drive over bumps and ruts to flex tires through suspension movement
• Create winding paths through grass to increase drag on tires
• Allow tires to occasionally slip to prevent grabbing too much traction

On Small Rocks:

• Begin with smooth, rounded pebbles to reduce shock on tires
• Slowly work up to rougher, sharper rocks as tread continues to break in
• Limit full-throttle runs and jumps to prevent puncturing sidewalls

On Larger Rocks:

• Air down tires to increase grip and allow more flex over big rocks
• Take precise lines choosing best tire placement, not just brute power
• Drop down from larger rocks to prevent ripping chunks of tread

Gradually increasing challenge allows the tread rubber to soften and shape itself at the ideal pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I condition my crawler tires?

Every 5-10 battery packs is a good rule of thumb, or whenever the tires start to feel firm and stiff. Frequent light conditioning is better than heavy conditioning done rarely.

Will dish soap damage rubber crawler tires?

Dish soap is fine for cleaning tires when rinsed off completely. Avoid harsh degreasers or chemicals that could negatively react with rubber.

What if my tires feel too soft?

Try reducing conditioning frequency. Also, ensure your crawler suspension is properly set up. Too soft of a suspension can over-compress tires. Stiffer springs can help.

Can I use WD-40 or other petroleum products to condition tires?

Avoid them. Petroleum-based oils dry out rubber over time leading to cracking. Use only silicone-based conditioners.

How do I know when crawler tires need replacing?

When the rubber gets very stiff or develops cracks, the tires need replacing. Also replace them if chunks of tread start tearing out frequently.

Conclusion

Properly softening the tires is crucial for RC crawlers to maximize traction and performance on rocky terrain. Using the right silicone-based conditioner and methodically cleaning and applying it allows the rubber to become supple.

Combined with a controlled break-in process, softened tires conform better, provide more grip, and improve control for precise crawling maneuvers. With the steps covered in this article, any RC scaler can optimize their crawler tires.