Pine Car Lubricants - Graphite and Oil for Pinewood Derby Cars (2024)

FAQs

Pine Car Lubricants - Graphite and Oil for Pinewood Derby Cars? ›

Pure Graphite

Best for races that specify that only graphite can be used. This pure extra fine graphite is high in carbon content giving superior lubricating characteristics. A special blend of micron size graphite particles are formulated to reduce the coefficient of friction and give your car the winning edge.

Pure Graphite

Best for races that specify that only graphite can be used. This pure extra fine graphite is high in carbon content giving superior lubricating characteristics. A special blend of micron size graphite particles are formulated to reduce the coefficient of friction and give your car the winning edge.

While just about any graphite will work as a lubricant, some versions are specially formulated and work best for Pinewood Derby®. Liquid - There are different liquid lubricants as well. Nyoil™ has been a popular option in years past, as well as Krytox™, produced by DuPont®.

No wet lubricant is allowed. (Ex: NyOil, NyOil II, WD-40) Only one lubrication is allowed before the beginning of the first race, and then once again before the beginning of the first race of the semi-finals and finals.

The graphite used as an additive to lubricating grease can effectively improve the resistance to compression and wear, and is especially suited for lubricating mechanical equipment and railway wheeltracks with high loads. Therefore, graphite is often mixed with high-viscosity mineral oil to synthesize grease.

Due to the presence of weak Vander Waal force of attraction among the layer, they can slide over each other leading to the slippery nature of graphite. Hence, graphite is used as a better lubricant due to the slippery nature of graphite.

Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.

Then cover the Pinewood Derby car with floor wax paste and polish to a high gloss. The wax will protect the car and help give your racer the look of shining steel.

The easiest way to reduce friction is to lubricate the surfaces that cause friction. Lubrication is an essential part of pinewood derby racing. Purchase a tube of dry PRO Graphite with moly and shoot it onto the axle shaft and inside the wheel bore. Spin the wheel so the graphite works in.

Baking your Pinewood Derby wooden block helps to remove the moisture so that you have more wiggle room to add extra weight at the end. Remember, every little bit of weight in the right place makes a difference! Bake it in the oven at 250° for about 2 hours.

Why is a heavier Pinewood Derby car faster? ›

Most PWD experts believe a car is faster when the weight is predominately placed towards the rear of the car. Why? Because most tracks are designed so a car rolls down the track on an incline from a height of 3.5 feet -‐ 4.5 feet before traveling down a long flat stretch.

Sandpaper, 80- to 220-grit.

Naturally, like most dry lubes, graphite doesn't work well in applications where other oils, solvents, or water may be used, as these liquids tend to wash the graphite away.

The water evaporates and the graphite remains to keep the parts well lubricated. A little graphite goes a long way. One small tube will last most household for a year or two.

It is hydrophobic and offers superior lubrication properties. Graphite is mainly used as a dry lubricant but can also be dispersed in oil. Solid or dry lubricants reduce the force of friction between sliding surfaces.

For pinewood derby cars, white glue works fine for gluing wood to wood (such as adding wood accessories) and for repairing chips or cracks in the wood. It can also be used for holding the axles in place.

Baking your Pinewood Derby wooden block helps to remove the moisture so that you have more wiggle room to add extra weight at the end. Remember, every little bit of weight in the right place makes a difference! Bake it in the oven at 250° for about 2 hours.

Use a final gloss clear paint coat to give your car an extra shine. Some people use car wax but clear paint gives better results. You will get better results if you give your car several light coats of paint rather than one or two thick coats. Sand your car lightly after the first coat of paint dries.