How do you polish pinewood derby tires?

Answer 1

If you just want to polish the tires, get yourself a wheel mandrel and spin the tire in a drill press or locked down hand drill on lowest speed. Then apply a 600 grit or higher, wet/dry sandpaper to the wheel surface. This should polish the wheel very nicely.

Answer 2

I would put the axle in the chuck of a drill. A corded drill would be better because it will probably spin faster than a cordless drill. If you have only a cordless drill make sure it is on the high speed setting. Most will have a low torque setting and a high speed setting, low torque is usually marked 1 and high speed as 2. Hold a piece of fine sandpaper up to it as it is spinning. Make sure to put the pointy end in the drill.

Also if your keen to try something extra, cut small circles out of business cards or some other cardstock paper. When you have put the wheel on the axle put some graphite in around the axle from the backside of the wheel. Then take those small paper circles and pierce them over the axles and glue them to the backside of the wheels (crazy glue should do nicely). The graphite will act as a dry lubricant to reduce friction between the wheel and axle.

Note: When using the above process, please take a moment to check your rules. Gluing a cardstock circle to the back of your wheels can be considered a bushing. Bushings are usually not allowed by most Pinewood Derby rules. Also when polishing your axles with fine sandpaper, be sure and wet the sandpaper first to avoid heat build-up against the paper, especially if this process is being done by a child.