WHEN and HOW to Maintain Your Slotcar

I hate it when I lose track of how long ago I opened up one of my slotcars and completed some basic maintenance. One trick to solve that issue is to use a feature that is built-in to the Smart Race App. In this video, I will feature how I put that setting to work for me as well as an overview of the basic maintenance I periodically perform on my cars.
#slotcar #slotcars #slotcarracing #carerraslotcars #carerraslotcar
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Smart Race Settings
02:38 - Tools & Supplies
04:32 - Disassembly
06:49 - Chassis Cleaning
07:49 - Front Axle
10:30 - Rear Axle
12:46 - Gear Grease
14:31 - Reassembly
17:15 - Test Run & Thank You

[@thatslotcarguy]

Amazing video mate, well filmed, informative, what more could someone ask for Keep up the good work

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thank you very much! I have a new one coming out later today! Have a great day!

[@OKSlotCarTesting]

Thanks for this video. A very clear simple video on how to maintain our slot cars! 🏁

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@shotgundave92584]

Great meeting you tonight on the livestream Peter. Looking forward to more content from you!

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks! I really enjoyed spending time with you guys tonight! We'll have to do it again sometime!

[@lewbrooks8935]

Thanks for taking the time to show the maintenance way. Nice looking track! Looking forward to seeing more Slot Track and Cars videos.👏

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for dropping by!

[@bomamo9620]

Hi Peter. I meet you last week on Rahuls stream. Nice clip, but you did some faults, which could cause more harm than you may think. Funny no one else here mentioned that. So, I will mount some light here now, on your Bicycle. 🙂You use a Brush, which you use on the Axxles as well, as on the Gear-Box. Use a Brush only for superficial cleaning, to get the dust and small hairs off. One thing Plastic-Parts do not like, is to get in contact with Oil. That will destroy the Plastic over time. If you clean out the Gear Box, an Ear-Cleaner Stick would do the job for you, to wipe all Gear-Fuid off the Chassis and Body on the inside. The Axxles only need to be wiped clean in a turning-wipe with a Piece of Toilette-Paper around the Axxles, which you used for it. That is it. There is no need to clean it off with that Brush your using. In the end you will have Gear-Fluid, Oil and what not on it and afterwards you used it on all other Parts on the Chassis. Means you smear it all over the Parts. You can take away the dust and hairs with the Tweezers. For cleaning the Gear-Pinion, I use an old Tooth-Brush. If you re-install the Axxles, put the Wires for the Light back up under the Axxles, like they were! If not, the Cables will grind on the Axxles, which will cause speed and maybe destroy the Cables over time. Only the Guide-Cable should be above the Axxle in front. There are small guides on the sides of the Chassis, that will lead these Cables in the front and back. If they tend to come up, fix them with a Glue-Gun to hold them down. If you get a new Car, take a Picture of the inside, when you removed the Chassis, if you forgot how the Cables were installed first. That helps sometimes. To grease the Back-Axxle-Gear, you don`t need to put it on the Gear-Teeth all around. Just place a bit right where the Pinion and the Axxle-Gear meets, when the Axxle is back in place. Also put a little Fluid in the gap of them. onto the Motor-Shaft. It needs to be greased, as well. Afterwards, you should put Oil on the Bushings. The Back-Axxle can be installed onto the Chassis, when oiling and greasing it. Just put the Chassis in a 90 degree Angle on the side, so it will stand alone on the Wheels and than drop the Oil. That way it uses the Gravity and floats easyly into the Bushings. You don`t need to spin the Axxles, because it will do it by itself when running. You may spin the Wheels after droping the Oil, but don`t spin the Back-Wheels against the natural rotation way of the Motor frontwards. Spin them towards you, if you hold the Chassis in your direction. That way, the Gear Fluid will get all over the Pinion and Axxle-Gear. Electric-Motors do not like to be spinned around in the wrong direction. The Coals inside may loosen off pieces than and fly around on the inside, which can destroy the Motor. Get a Pinion removing Tool! Remove the Pinion and put it back on with the removing Tool. There are Tools that handle both ways. Get one of these. The Motor itself needs a bit of Oil, too. Means if you put Oil between the Pinion and Motor, you guessed it, the Oil will destroy the Plastic-Pinion over time for sure. On Brass-Pinions it is harmless. The Pinion remover is an essential Tool. Don`t remove the Pinion without that Tool. You will destroy the Motor-Shaft! On Carrera Go!! Cars, one can do it without the Tool. In a careful way. To clean up the Braids, use a small Brass-Brush to clean and straighten the Briads, stroking it carefully towards you. No use of pressuere, doing it. Sometimes a small drop of Oil on each of them, will do a little Miriacle, plus the Track-Rails will be cleaned and covered. Use Isopropanol to clean the Track-Rails from the dirt that the Braids will leave on your Rails, grinding over them. You clean the Rails with a Cleanex or soft Toilette Paper and only a little bit Isopropanol as wide as the Rails are. You can do this also using a Car for it. Take a Scotch doublesided Tape and stick it underneath the Chassis of your Car. In the middle of the Chassis across. Use a face cleaning Pad of your Wife and stick the textured side of the Pad towards the bottoml. Cut the Pad in half and stick it with the round Side in front, onto it. But don`t cover the LED underneath the Chassis with the Pad. That way you can clean the Lane changing Rails, if you run a Digital Track by Carrera. Use the second half of the Pad to clean the Rails you just ran over. afterwards and run a few Laps again. The more often you run your Track, the faster the intevalls to clean them, to keep a good elctric flow in the Rails. You will notice when the Cars start to behave different, means they get slower when passing the Track-Rails at certain positions. There you go, Peter. I hope this did not come over like I am a Smart-Butt. Sometimes I am, but we all do mistakes in the beginning. We learn from others and our faults. Greetings from Germany. 🙂

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks so much for the feedback, I will definitely take these tips into account next time I have to perform maintenance on one of my cars! Thanks for the advice and the support!

[@SlotCarDojo]

Great video, been using Smart race for years and haven't used this feature. Definitely going to use this going forward. Keep up the good work.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

It is a great feature, and I assume it will only become more useful as my stable of cars expands!

[@SlotCarWildman]

Great video very detailed and at right pace for people to follow along. Welcome to community. Keep up the great work

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks very much. Very excited to be a part of the community!

[@brianjarred340]

Thanks for sharing 👍👏

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our channel!

[@lindseyangell986]

I use a small Haggen Daz ice cream lid or a small magnetic parts dish fir my screws. I love this hobby.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Those little cups are about 20 for a dollar at my local dollar store, so I use them for everything!

[@THEFALCON58]

Hi, iam a slot car racer 1/24 and 1/32 for over 32 years, use some graphite in your grease. the grease that doesn't melt WITH HEAT. The Graphite will stick to your axle and BUSHINGS. :) I do race only to give my cars a run. winning isn't everything. having fun comes first' Some people take racing slot cars too far/sheep station. knox you out of there way this has happened to myself. That when a three pound hammer comes in handy LOL LOL 🤣

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

That's a great idea. I remember using graphite lubrication on Pinewood Derby cars as a kid.

[@trackfanstv]

Nice tips pal, thanks for sharing 💯🔥🔥

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Hey Pete! From another Pete across the pond I really appreciate the words of encouragement! Keep on Keepin' on brother!

[@Clearwater124]

Good info for the app, thanks.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

The only thing I wish it would do is put the notification front and center on the main menu!

[@SlotCar2021]

Awesome tips, not used smart race as I don't use carrera but this is awesome.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks for watching! I love Smart Race! Sorry it won't work for you...

[@dannywiley4072]

Great video man!

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thank you+

[@thunderIslandraceway]

Great video

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thank you!

[@All-ScaleSlotCars]

Great video and thanks especially for sharing the tip about using Smart Race to schedule maintenance. I've been using a spreadsheet for the info on my cars, and having Smart Race alert you is much better than constantly checking the spreadsheet. I've just subscribed and am looking forward to more videos!

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks! I wish the notification was less subtle, but it is much better than just trying to remember!

[@rickyfrench1262]

You have to do the front as well like you did. 1 of my cars was making hella noise so I did maintenance on the rear axle and still was making the noise. Then did maintenance on the front and is back running smooth. I was amazed how a little build up on the axles cause so much noise. Thanks for the video bro!! 👍🏻

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

I usually do both axles. Did I skip the front one in the video?

[@rickyfrench1262]

@@Show-MeSlotCars no I was just agreeing with you lol

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

I didn't think I missed it!

[@SpareRoomSlotCars]

Hi Peter, I just recently hit my maintenance flag in Smartrace as well. Here's a tip for you when dispensing the grease, I found out that the tube loves to continue oozing grease after you get the amount you need, so just pull back on the plunger a bit and that seems to keep from flowing. Hope it helps Gene

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

That's a great idea. I sometimes have to do something similar with my hot glue gun, or it spews all over the place!

[@BryceCasselman]

Great info man, I’ve yet to download smart race so this some good stuff!

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

GET IT! It will rock your world if you are racing digital! I am a huge fan, and have subscribed to get all of the future updates!

[@BryceCasselman]

That’s awesome Peter, I’ll be sure to get it. Off to a great start with your new channel.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks again for the words of encouragement!

[@johnnyirwin9838]

Great show good information where did you get your oil if you have time to answer thank you😊

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Thanks for watching! I ordered the oil from Slot Car Corner!

[@johnnyirwin9838]

Thank you l appreciate your time

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

No problem! Happy to help!

[@CarreraTrackOntheFloor]

Interesting on Carrera 124 cars the screws are screwed into metal fittings in the body.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

I did not know that. I wonder if the posts are just too small on the 132s.

[@CarreraTrackOntheFloor]

@@Show-MeSlotCars Probably size issue. Also, the 124 body being larger and a little heavier have been why.

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

Makes total sense. Heavier cars probably need stronger connections!

[@tracytesmer7033]

When do you replace your tires? And how do you tune your tires?

[@Show-MeSlotCars]

I haven't needed to change the tires yet, so I cannot speak to replacement. However, as far as the current tires are concerned, I true them a bit when they are new, using sandpaper temporarily taped to the track. Once they are trued, I simply clean them with a wet rag when I perform maintenance, and with a lint roller periodically in between races. Hope that helps.