Best Glue for RC Tires [must read buying guides]

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Jaxon Mike

Radio-controlled (RC) vehicles like cars, trucks, and buggies are a thrilling hobby for enthusiasts of all ages. These high-performance vehicles can reach impressive speeds and maneuver through challenging obstacle courses and terrains. One critical component that enables RC vehicles to perform at their best is the tires. The tires need to firmly grip the surface to allow steering, acceleration, braking and jumping without slipping.

Choosing the right adhesive or glue for mounting RC tires is important to ensure maximum traction and control. The glue needs to bond the tire firmly to the wheel rim while providing flexibility for the tire material to deform on impact. It must also be durable to withstand friction, impacts, and wear without cracking or peeling over time.

There are a few key factors to consider when selecting the best glue for RC tires:

• Bonding strength – The glue needs high adhesive strength to keep the tire attached even when subjected to high centripetal forces at top speeds. At the same time, the bond should not be permanent and allow tire removal or replacement when needed.
• Flexibility – The glue needs to be flexible to handle the constant impacts and deformation of the RC tire material. Brittle glues will crack while soft flexible ones will maintain the bond.
• Durability – It must maintain the adhesive bond through dirt, debris, and wear. Frequent reapplication should not be required.
• Ease of application – Quick bonding and set times allow racers to mount a new pre-glued tire and get back to racing quickly. No special tools should be required.

Based on these criteria, the most popular glue options for RC tires are cyanoacrylate (CA) glues, epoxy adhesives, and silicone glue. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

top 3 Picks glues for RC tires:

Glue Type	Product Examples	Bond Strength	Price	Cure Time	Flexibility	Pros	Cons
Cyanoacrylate (CA)	Loctite Super Glue, Hot Racing Tire Glue, Traxxas Tire Glue	High	Check Price	30 sec to 2 min	Low	– Fast cure time- Rigid bond- Easy to apply	– Brittle- Frequent reapplication – Irritating fumes
Epoxy	JB Weld Kwik Weld, Gorilla 5 Min Epoxy, Devcon 5 Min Epoxy	Maximum	Check Price	5 min handling  [1-24 hrs full cure]	Low	– Extremely strong bond- Withstands impacts – Heat and chemical resistant	– Long full cure time- Mixing required – Hard to remove
Silicone	Shoe Goo, Loctite Clear Silicone, Gorilla 100% Silicone	Moderate	Check Price	24+ hours	High	– Flexible bonds- Good for foam tires-Weather/impact resistant	– Slow cure time- Weaker shear strength

Best Glue For RC Tires reviews

1. Loctite Super Glue

Loctite’s super glue is a popular cyanoacrylate adhesive for RC tires. It bonds rubber, plastic and metal in seconds with just a drop or two. The fast-drying formula creates rigid bonds that hold up to impacts and abrasion. The thin gel consistency allows it to penetrate the tire treads for maximum grip. It’s also inexpensive and found in most hobby stores. Just be careful not to get it on your fingers! Loctite super glue is easy to apply for quick pit stop tire repairs.

Pros:

• Fast-drying formula bonds in seconds
• Creates rigid, impact resistant bonds
• Penetrates tire treads for maximum grip
• Inexpensive and widely available

Cons:

• Brittle bonds can crack over time
• Can damage fingers/skin if not careful
• May require frequent reapplication

2. Pro-Line Pro-CA Tire Glue

Designed specifically for RC applications, Pro-Line Pro-CA tire glue is a rubber-toughened cyanoacrylate adhesive. The thick gel is easier to control compared to runny super glues. It was made to bond rubber RC tires to plastic wheel rims. The thicker CA glue also helps fill voids and pores for better mechanical interlocking. Pro-Line Pro-CA sets quickly in just a minute or two. The tight bonds prevent tire slippage and roll-offs even at high speeds. It also resists impacts that cause weaker glues to crack.

Pros:

• Thick gel formula is easy to control
• Bonds rubber tires to plastic rims
• Fills voids and pores for better grip
• Withstands impacts without cracking

Cons:

• Slower curing than runny super glues
• Higher cost than basic CA glues

3. Traxxas Tire Glue

Traxxas offers their own nitro-powered CA tire glue for outstanding adhesion. It features a patent-pending formula with tire softening agents that partially dissolve and fuse rubber components together. This creates flexible bonds that grip aggressively while allowing the tire to deform naturally. The nitro ingredient also causes rapid curing in about 30 seconds. Traxxas tire glue can be removed with a CA debonder. Just a few drops are needed for strong durable bonds race after race. It’s a top choice for serious RC racers.

Pros:

• Nitro formula creates flexible bonds
• Partially dissolves rubber for fusion
• Bonds cure in 30 seconds
• Holds up to extreme racing conditions

Cons:

• More expensive than regular CA glue
• Only available from Traxxas

4. JB Weld Kwik Weld Epoxy

For unmatched bond strength, JB Weld Kwik Weld is a fast setting epoxy putty stick. Just knead the two parts together and apply to the tire and wheel. The steel reinforced epoxy cures in 5 minutes and forms permanent rubber-coated bonds. The epoxy won’t crack under stress and provides thermal and chemical resistance. JB Weld Kwik Weld is ideal when you need to mount a new set of tires and get racing quickly. It provides the highest strength tire bonds.

Pros:

• Steel-reinforced epoxy creates permanent bonds
• Cures fully in 5 minutes
• Withstands stress, heat and chemicals
• Highest strength for durable mounting

Cons:

• Permanent mounting makes tire change difficult
• Requires precise resin/hardener mixing

5. Shoe Goo Clear Silicone

Shoe Goo’s silicone adhesive is designed for repairing rubber soles but works great for flexible RC tire mounting. The clear formula retains high elasticity and tack. It sticks aggressively to rubber and plastic with good gap-filling properties. Shoe Goo withstands repeated stretching and impacts. The waterproof silicone glue won’t wash away if running in wet conditions. It remains flexible in cold weather too. The only downside is 24 hours of curing time, so it’s best for tires that will remain mounted.

Pros:

• Maintains flexibility and tack over time
• Stretches and rebounds to resist impacts
• Sticks aggressively to rubber and plastic
• Waterproof and flexible in cold weather

Cons:

• Requires 24 hours of curing time
• Not as strong for shear loads

FAQs

What is the best glue for foam RC tires?

Silicone adhesives work best for foam tires since they retain flexibility after curing. The elastic bond allows the foam to compress and expand during use without the glue cracking.

Can I use super glue to mount RC tires?

Yes, cyanoacrylate (CA) super glue provides quick bonding and rigid adhesion for RC tire mounting. Just ensure the super glue is designed for use with rubber and plastics.

How long does RC tire glue need to cure?

Cure times vary by adhesive. CA glues cure fully in 1-2 minutes. Epoxies take about 5 minutes to gain handling strength but may take hours to reach full bond strength. Silicone can take 24+ hours to cure completely.

Can I re-glue my RC tires?

Yes, most RC tire glues can be reapplied after cleaning the old adhesive off. A peel-ply on the tire can also make bonding a new layer easier. Be sure the wheel and tire are dirt-free before reapplying fresh glue.

What’s the strongest RC tire glue?

Epoxy formulations generally provide the strongest and most permanent bonds for RC tires due to their rigid cross-linked structure. JB Weld steel-reinforced epoxies make incredibly durable glue for RC applications.

Conclusion

Mounting RC tires securely is critical for optimal handling and performance. Cyanoacrylate glues provide quick adhesion, while epoxies form the strongest permanent mounting. Silicone adhesives offer flexible bonding best suited for foam tires. Consider the racing conditions, required strength, cure time, and tire material when selecting the best RC tire glue for your needs. Properly glued tires will provide the grip and control for achieving winning race times.