Certified Safe Site
Oct 8 2024
Pinewood Derby on Facebook
pinewood derby

Lubricants to make your pine car go fast. It's as easy as ABC! 

Example of pinewood car
Home

 

Tip #15

If your group has a 'Test Run' day, run your pinewood derby car once down the track to break-in the graphite. The first run is always the slowest. Make only one run.

Tip #48

Your car loses graphite fast so add more if you can between races.

Tip #58

Make it easier to add graphite after the wheels are on the car. Before the wheels are mounted, use a round file to shape a small groove on the bottom of the block below the axle to allow the nozzle on the tube of graphite to get closer to the wheel.

Tip #59

Rub graphite on your pinewood derby car body where the wheel hub runs against it. Use a new pencil. Rub the tip of the pencil erasor in the graphite then rub in on the car around where the axle goes into the slot.

Tip #64

Don't mix graphite and Oil. They do not work well together and will make the car slower.

Pinewood Derby Car Lubricants

Lubricants can make the critical difference between winning or losing a Pinewood Derby race. Our graphite and oil have been formulated to work the best with the plastic wheels and metal axles on your Pinewood Derby car.

Dry Lubricants

Graphite / Molybenum Mix

Hob-E-Lube

The fastest dry lubricant available.
Legal in all races that specify that only dry lubricants can be used.

A blend of micron size graphite particles blended with Molybdenum. The molybdenum acts as microscopic ball bearings, and also spreads the graphite out for more even lubrication.

OUT OF STOCK

Pure Graphite

Graphite Lubricant

The fastest pure graphite available
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. Tested faster than any other brand of pure graphite.



tubes

Graphite should be first applied before the wheels are attached to the car

  How to apply graphite:
  1. Insert a wheel into an axle.
  2. Hold the wheel down. Shake the graphite tube then squeeze out several puffs of graphite into the gap between the wheel and the axle.
  3. Tap the wheel several times with your finger to move the graphite throughout the wheel.
  4. Hold the axle horizontal and spin the wheel with your finger several times.
  5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 several times.
  6. Attach the wheel and axle to your car.

Liquid Lubricant

Krytox 100 Oil  Lubricant
1/4 oz.

Krytox 100

Thin Film Liquid Lubricant

If your race allows liquid lubricants then this is what you want.

Krytox 100 is a highly-refined synthetic thin-film lubricant with an ultra-low viscosity. It has a tough film strength for long lasting lubrication. When properly applied, it outperforms dry lubricants including graphite.

Krytox can be safely used with any brand of pinewood derby wheels. It is colorless, odorless, non-hazardous, and plastic-safe. The key to using a thin-film lubricant is that " less is best ". Applying too much lubricant will slow your car down.

bottles
How to use:
  1. Put one drop of lubricant on an axle.
  2. Tip the axle so down and let the lube flow to the end of the axle.
  3. Insert a wheel into the axle.
  4. Spin the wheel several times.
  5. Remove the axle and wipe off the lubricant with a clean, soft rag.
  6. Reinsert the wheel into the axle and attach to your car.

Graphite Pads

Graphite Pads

Dramatically reduces friction between
the wheel and car body.

Details on our Graphite Pads

set of 4
To place your order:
1. Enter the quantity you would like to order next to each of the above items.
2. Click the "Add to Cart" button below.

Customer Photos

Pinewood derby car for girls

This is our first year and my daughter kallie took 4th .... Jacob M
Kallie used our pre-cut Vampire car block, Lathed Graphite Coated Wheels, Polished Axles and Hob-E-Lube Graphite.


pine car winner

Well he did it.  Jacob and his Pittsburgh Steelers pine car won first prize at our
annual pine car derby races.  He beat out 60+ other scouts to come out on
top.  He will now go on to compete against all the other pack champs from
Nassau county sometime in March.  We are so proud of him.  I haven't
seen him so excited and happy in a long time.  He almost collapsed in
his chair when he won the final race.... Ellen


Pinewood Derby Trophies

Eric took first place three years in a row with more than 200 competitors! 



Thanks for the quick service on this order. My kids took 3rd out of about 60 pine cars. The Krytox worked great!..Tyler B
Just wanted to let you know that my Son not only beat every Scout at his Pinewood Derby, the other cars didn't even come close. His car placed 1st every time it went down the track. At times, almost by 2 car lengths ahead. We were shocked at how quick it was. Thanks a ton !!!... Gil L  (Gil used our Hob-E-Lube and Graphite Pads)
This is a THANK YOU SO MUCH note from me for all of your great advice...my son took 3rd place in his race and he helped his friend secure 1st place with the tips and lubrication you suggested. As a Mom, I felt totally helpless in my efforts to help my son achieve his goal of competing. He worked so hard. I appreciate your assistance so very much. THANK YOU!!! Barb
Wanted to let you know we entered 4 cars, and 3 won their class and 4th car placed 2nd. We won 1,2,3, overall fastest. Only loss was 2 and 3 to our 1st place car. Thanks again...Bill A.