I saw a couple refrences to " Prepped and Cut " cap tires on another thread, what am I missing here? I,ve balanced,tire compounded ( GM Top Eng cleaner ) and scuffed in tires on the track but the " Cut " comment has me curious? Anyone have any info?

I know at one point the KSGguys were freezing and cutting the caps on a tire truer

yes if you freeze the tire, it is easier to cut

The Canned air is used to keep the tire from blistering during the cutting process. You must keep the tire cool or you will destroy it. I generally will make 1 pass at the tire with the cutter then cool or apply a tire compound to cool the tire. Its a little messy an take a good amount of time.

The reason we cut cap tire is the same reason we cut a foam tire. The fastest diameter of the tire is in there somewhere, might as well hunt for it!

Stagger is also a good reason. Why run tires that aren't perfectly staggered?
Cut tires also seem to be more balanced. Balancing a cut tire takes less
weight than one that is not cut in my experience.

As far as prep, this is done to get relative equal durometer readings in the
rubber.This will also help the tires wear more evenly and you will have less
of a chance to "gator" (overheat 1 particular tire, usually rf) a tire because
they are all providing a good contact patch. They are all also relatively
producing the same amount of grip as well if the car is set up properly.

I have run 1 set of tires at each of the last 2 capped nationals using this method
and after the race the tires still look brand new like I had just finished the
cutting and prepping.

Just what I have experienced,
Bud Denning

I know at one point the KSGguys were freezing and cutting the caps on a tire truer


They are not the only ones. ;)

What is the process to true and blance a capped tire. I have a few capped tires that are a little wobbly.

When you freeze the tires, how cold? Ice? Dry Ice, Nitrogen?
What are you using to true the rubber? Old Swiper truer with sanding drum or the newer carbide spike cutters?
Lead Tape for balancing, putty, or dremel on the heavy side or the rim?

Balance -- Lead tape.

Truing - I have a Mini Max Mod that I have modified to slow down the arbor so as not to spin the tire as fast. I personally hold a piece of ice on the tire as I am truing it. I have seen others use the Freeze Spray to cool the tire.

The trick is not to take too much at a time so as to NOT cause the rubber to ball up from getting too hot. Practice on some old tires to get your technic down.

You can get a Firm sponge with the rough surface on the other side and a cup with Ice and water in it when your cutting it will keep the rubber cool. I would only cut a little at a time or it will get hot once it does, all it will do is roll the rubber around the tire.You can use the same Blade for foam or use a jig saw blade. it will take 1 or 2 runs to get the tires cut back in to the cars cambers.

Thanks for the quick replys.

Just watch what Bush tells ya, gotta keep both eyes on those Elevator guys. :D