[Doug]

Perhaps I'm preaching to the converted, but I developed a method of cleaning braids that doesn't mess up a car with a front in-line motor.

Dirty braids are a real pain, preventing good electrical contact thus slowing the car down.

You don't have to replace braids. If they are kept relatively clean and looked after, they sould last years. The trouble with cleaning cars with front in-line motos is that the cleaning product gets in the motor and mucks things up. So I took a piece of plactic, cut a groove in the front to slip under the guide flag and now it protects the whole of the underside of the car.

You see all the muck that comes off using WD-40 brushed on with a toothbrush. Some use lighter fluid, but WD-40 works fine. It also helps the electrical contuctivity when back on the track.

This is how I hold it whilst brushing:

This is the result. Comes out fine. If there are a few drops of cleaner on the car, just rub off with a cloth.

 

[Fragoso]

simple and effective

 

[McLaren]

I'd have just stuck an inch of tape over the motor.... but THAT is definatly a more interesting solution...

McLaren

 

[JohnP]

That's not Swiss' wife's toothbrush again is it Nuro? The poor woman!

Great tip - another reason to save all that plastic packaging!

 

[Intergrali]

all that work!

dowse in lighter fluid, wipe, give it a bit of a torture on track and there sorted

 

[astro]

i must admit I prefer lighter fluid or isopropynol to clean braids, as whilst the residue wd40 grease aids cconductivity, it also picks up dirt and dust quicker.

But the plasitc card thing is still a great idea

 

[andy]

would soaking the barids in meths or lighter fluid work, that way I could do a load at once

 

[JcRacer43]

thanks for the awesome tip i always buy new braids and now i don't need to anymore.

 

[astro]

i always wipe the braids (have been using cotton buds, but Mrs Swiss's toothbrush sounds like a better way) to get the crud off. Soaking might work, but i think scrubbing is better.

 

[Monaro]

Nuro, your braids are long aren't they, I would cut 25% off them, then see how it goes

 

[McLaren]

Why would it go better with shorter braid?

Longer braids = more contact = more conductivity = more power to motor

McLaren

 

[Monaro]

Your right in theory, but I think the cars go a little faster with a bit shorter braid, less drag I suppose, try it and let me know what you think then?, curious.
cheers

 

[JEXY1]

I use a small fibre brush (£2) this removes all the [email protected]@P quickly with a light stroke along the length of each braid occasional lighter fluid.

 

[Intergrali]

it's all in the mind monaro!

 

[wixwacing]

I have to agree with Monaro!! But this applies to non new braids. Even when cleaned, some soft braids will have slag inclusions on the track face side from the arcing process. Although the car appears to be running ok it will be slightly down on top end. Shortening the braids seems to increase the contact pressure and usually adds a tenth to straight line speed. The only problem is that shorter braids can be more of a problem in corners with uneven rails so there's a bit of a trade off.

I have observed this phenomenon on plastic tracks only. Copper tape tracks seem to polish copper braids and prevent the problem from occuring in the first place.