I have always used either Trinity Zip Grip or Paragon with no ill effects. Our track has switched to Jack the gripper. The problem I am having is the tires are getting really gummy feeling. Has anyone else had this problem...? I have never had this problem with the other compounds...?

yes, you have to clean your tires like every run or every other run and they will be fine. ;later lol

We have seen the problem with everything but paragon. But paragon stinks up the track and your house.

Has anyone done anything to eliminate the problem other than cleaning your tires every round?

TRY TRACTION ACTION, ITS ODERLESS PARAGON!!! WORKS GREAT INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. :thumbsup:

I think we have tried every kind of compound the build up problem continues unless we use wintergreen paragon. We went to a single compound when we purchased new carpet. We hoped that this would cure the problem, but we still have the same problem. The build up is primarly on the section of tire that you do not put compound on to start the race.

hmm that's wierd Paragon has always gummed my tires and made them softer, I dont get that effect with Jack.

Try putting some denatured alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it on and wipe off your tires after each run. That should keep em like new.
Then in between weeks take all your used tires and clean them with Dawn soap and water. Let them dry a day or 2 before racing.

Jack is the worst stuff on the market for ill effects on tires and carpet. Yes it works but your track will suffer after long term use. Jack gets into the carpet and will not dry out of it. Then your tires will start to glaze and they will be gummy all the time. I know there are going to be some strong opinions the other way but I deal with this problem daily with guys trying to figure out what is happening with tires. My recomendation would be to have your track banish jack and not go only with it.

86racer what do you recomend? Wintergreen Paragon has been voted out due to the stink. Sounds like we deal with the stink or the build up?

NIFTECH is the BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just apply and let sit no wipeing required.

i like the niftech but I did find you have to wipe it but no cleaning required after racing.

What about zip grip "free". I have used this with no ill effects...?

You might give TQ8 a try. It doesn't have the wintergreen smell. You will get the build up on the LF but it will not effect the carpet. Like everyone else has said that you will just have to clean your tire about every other run.

I prefer paragon. Doesnt matter which one, classic or odorless there is no differenence other than smell if that is an issue. I also like TQ modified on the right front. If paragon is used in a wipe on wipe off as all compounds should then gumming should be a non issue unless there is an abundance of jack the gripper being used by other cars. Or guys using the soaking theory. I use paragon every week and never have a gum issue but I apply it lightly and wipe it off almost instantly. Soaking tires is something I do not recommend under any circumstance. Soaking will destroy your tires and track. If you need softer tires then buy softer compounds to start with. Dont buy purple, then soak them down to pink hardness. Your car will be faster through out the day with a wipe on wipe off method and avoiding stuff like Jack and niftech. This is just my opinion I hope it helps.


Rob @ Murdock R/C

I like paragon and the TQ line(mod & max) Just my opinion.

Try GOJO hand cleaner, it works. No smell and great traction. We used it on foam tires on dirt and it worked, this past weekend we tried it on carpet with great results.

I like the stuff from Stick-Et on Carpet and Asphalt if I need extra traction.
Got my last bottle from MURDOCK

coppertone 45 , goop hand cleaner, old school stuff that works

Shane try putting the Niftech on about 20 to 30 mins b4 yuor race I think you will like the results.

Ritchie Mac

Rob, how soon do you apply the paragon before a race?

What about tires that have been sitting around for a while?

I apply all my compounds when the race ahead of me starts. It comes back off within 30 seconds. As I mentioned above. If you soak you tires all your doing is destroying the rubber and your tracks carpet. The tires will soften so much that you most likely will begin to feel a tight condition if you use the same set all day. That is bad. Plus, when your soaking and softening the rubber your defeating the purpose of that tire. Lets look at it this way. If you buy a 38 durometer double pink for the right rear of your oval car and after soaking them all day it becomes a 30 or 32 durometer. If you need that soft of a tire, why not buy a pink to start that is in that durometer range. What I mean by all that is just a comparison because your car will be faster on tires that are dryer compared to soaked to death sponges. Wear and longevity will be much better this way. My personal tires, using the wipe on wipe off method do not change in durometer in a whole day of racing and 99% of the time my cars are faster come feature time than they have been all day because the tires are consistant for me and Im able to tune the car or gearing to what those tires and cars are doing as a whole. I have proven this method to myself time and time again over the years. This is not to say that it will work for everyone but in most cases with my friends and customers they have had great success with this method.


If you have tires that have been sitting for a while and are dry, use some paragon for about a 5 minute soak the start of the day and then youll be fine.

Some have mentioned go jo and sunscreen above. That stuff does work and go-jo used to be one of my favorites. But, what you will find with that is that it takes at least 2 to 3 good laps for the car to reach its peak and in high level competition that is laps you cant afford to lose. It does work but not something in todays racing conditions I would recomend

TQ modified explaination. I thought I should explain why I use tq mod on my right front. It is less aggressive than paragon but comes in much quicker when used on a right front. Never will my car push in turn one. It is hooked up instantly and gives me a much better chance at a good start. Plus, because it is quicker acting and slightly less aggressive than paragon I can use it on the whole rf tire and not try to use narrow bands of paragon. Trying to use the band method will only cause inconsistant results.

All this is just my personal favorite but it has been used with extreme success over the years. It has helped me become a very consistant driver as far as my start to finish results week after week, race after race.

Rob @ Murdock R/C

I use paragon on all 4 tires. However, on the RF which is a purple, I use it on half the tire. Anything more make the car loose on entry for the first couple of laps. Anything less and the car pushes most of the race. So if I use TQ on the whole RF, this will make the car neutral from start to finish? Also, would it help the tires to put them in sandwich bags throughout the week when not in use?

Z main, you will have better, more consistant results with the tq mod on the rf than trying to master the band. On storage you have a few options. I dont like plastic bags. This will cause the rubber to retain all the compound from the day of racing. I normally will leave them on the car or put them in a carboard box. Or, you can use lighter fluid to dry the compound out of the tires. Just soak them and let it dry. Next option is soap and water. Take them home, wash out with warm soapy water and let air dry.

Keep your questions coming guys and Ill be happy to do my best to shoot you some ideas to make your tires perform better or last longer.

Rob @ Murdock R/C

Last year at the Birds, I was told that because so many people were using Paragon (the smelly one) and there was so much of it in the carpet, that other traction compounds wouldn't work. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

That has been know to happen at tracks. When one compound is used heavily then sometime others will not mix quite right it seems. I personally dont have the problem but that is not to say it doesnt happen


Rob @ Murdock R/C

I know I used the GOJO and it took off and hooked up the first lap. I put it on and let it set for a few minutes and then wiped it off really good and had no problems. Like it better than Paragon so far, I have only tried it on one carpet track with success. Going to try it at a different one next weekend to see if I have the same success.

I know I used the GOJO ....

is that the hand cleaner?

mproy, yes it is the hand cleaner. We used it on dirt and then last weekend I decided to try it on carpet in practice. It held great and I used it all day. Works fine.