How to Make RC Car Tires: Moulded, 3D-Printed and DIY Options
You can make RC car tyres in three practical ways: cast them in silicone or urethane rubber using a mould (often 3D-printed), print them directly in flexible TPU filament, or, for very small or homemade cars, use ready rubber parts like O-rings, rubber bands or foam. Moulded rubber grips best; printed TPU is the quickest and works well on rough surfaces and crawlers. Below: the materials, step-by-step moulding and printing, and how to mount the tyres on wheels.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Which material for homemade tyres?
| Material | Method | Grip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone rubber (e.g. Shore A 20–40) | Cast in a mould | Very good on smooth surfaces | On-road, indoor, crawlers |
| Urethane rubber | Cast in a mould | Good, more wear-resistant | Bashers, off-road |
| TPU filament (e.g. 85A–95A) | 3D print | Fair to good; softer = more grip | Crawlers, prototypes, rough ground |
| O-rings / rubber bands | Stretch over a wheel | Fair | 1/64 and micro cars, homemade toys |
| Foam (EVA, closed cell) | Cut or turned | Excellent on carpet/asphalt | Touring cars, school projects |
| Bottle caps, cardboard, plastic discs | Glue together | Poor | Very simple school builds |
How to cast silicone or urethane tyres
- Design a mould for the tyre (outer shell plus core) in CAD and 3D-print it, or make it from a master tyre with mould silicone.
- Prepare: sand the inner surfaces smooth and apply mould release.
- Mix the rubber exactly by weight; degas in a vacuum chamber if you have one, or pour slowly from a height to reduce bubbles.
- Pour into the lowest point and let air escape through vents.
- Cure for the time the maker specifies (often 4–24 hours) before demoulding.
- Trim flash with scissors; wash off release agent before gluing.
Softer rubber (lower Shore A) grips more but wears faster; add pigment to colour the mix.
How to 3D-print tyres in TPU
- Use a direct-drive extruder if possible; flexible filament jams in long Bowden tubes.
- Print slowly (around 15–30 mm/s) with retraction reduced or off.
- Use 2–3 walls and low infill (10–20 % gyroid) for a tyre that compresses like rubber; or print solid thin tyres for micro cars.
- Design the tread with deep lugs for dirt, fine siping for indoor surfaces.
- Print a test section first to check fit on the wheel.
Mounting tyres on wheels
- Clean the bead area with alcohol.
- Fit a foam insert for 1/10 and larger tyres; it supports the tyre and controls flex.
- Glue the bead with tyre CA in small sections, holding the bead into the rim.
- Let it cure fully before running; check all around for gaps.
- Small cars: press-fit or use a thin bead of flexible glue.
Tyres for tiny and Hot Wheels conversions
For 1/64 cars, small O-rings stretched over printed or turned hubs give decent grip, and some conversion kits include soft tyres. For drifting, hard plastic or tape-wrapped wheels slide better. See turning Hot Wheels into RC cars.
Tips for better grip
- Match tread to surface: pins for dirt, slicks or fine tread for pavement and carpet.
- Softer compounds for cold weather, firmer for heat.
- Balance large tyres; out-of-balance tyres cause vibration at speed.
- Commercial tyres are often cheaper than homemade ones for common sizes; make your own for unusual sizes, scale looks or experiments.
FAQ
What materials can I use for homemade RC car tyres?
Silicone or urethane rubber in a mould, TPU 3D-printing filament, foam, O-rings or rubber bands for small cars.
Can I 3D-print RC tyres?
Yes, in TPU. They work well for crawlers and rough surfaces; moulded rubber grips better on smooth ground.
Do I need foam inserts?
For 1/10 scale and larger rubber tyres, yes; they keep the tyre’s shape. Small solid tyres don’t need them.
What glue holds tyres on wheels?
Tyre CA (thin cyanoacrylate made for RC tyres) applied to clean beads.
More on this topic: the complete RC Cars guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
