Cutting out BluTrack lane dividers?
I'm putting together plans for a race track build, and I'm tempted by the flexibility and affordability of BluTrack, but I'm really more interested in fat track lanes.
So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience just taking a knife to the center lane divider. The other idea I had was to use the BluTrack upside down and figure out my own side walls.
Also, while I'm asking questions: how does one paint BluTrack? Will something like Krylon Fusion work or do I need go for a paint / primer specifically designed to work with flexible plastic / rubber?
Discussion
I kinda want to get BluTrack some time. If removing the track's center lane barrier is possible, I might be even more likely to buy a set of BluTrack some day soon. Now that I think of it, is Blutrack a good choice for creating two lane turns? Does that work by any chance?
Good question. But I wouldn't think so...it's flexible but possibly too rigid to make nice banked curves. You might be able to put some slices in it to relieve some warps but dunno. I see potential for nice long straights/jumps and so on for sure.
I have some Blutrack rolled up somewhere that I don't use, I might try to slice out the divider for a stretch and see how well it goes. It would certainly be a nice, wide open lane track option if it works out.
Hello,
To the original question, don't waste your time trying to slice or trim dividers off the blutrack.
You will find you are better off with time and money by either getting the Crash Racers sets, or making your own track surfaces as others have done in multiple ways. (Yes, I have put a knife to Blutrack in an effort to correct pooer track performance before)
Don't be fooled by the videos on how the track performs. I bought the edu series, and layed it next to my segmented orange track. In a two car race comparison, a car that won by a car length running on orange track, lost by over 1 metre when put on the blutrack. (1/4mile) The poor design of the blutrack walls, combined with the "dead" surface, stops cars in their tracks. In my experience, "Blutrack" is not fit for purpose, without extensive mods.... So, the initial saving, was a total loss. (So yes, I bit the bullet and bought seamless orange track, and shipped to Aus, that hurt!)
Cheers
Hi, I use Blutrak, I bought it primarily for ease of storage as I don't have a place to keep a track permanently. I really like it. I have never raced on orange track, so I can't compare. It cuts really easily with a sharp blade. The key to the track is to let it lay out in the sun, or to warm it up artificially with a hair dryer. When cold it retains whatever shape it was stored in, and it will even curl a little bit when laid out cold. When warm it relaxes, even to the point where if the surface it sits on isn't flat, it will hug whatever defects are there. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but I'm very pleased with it. See it in action at my youtube channel if you like, same as my user name here. Happy racing!
I reviewed Blutrack years ago and I didn't find it a bad product, just kind of hard to work with. But I was looking at it from the standpoint of a standard drag strip.
Yet given the needs of these open track layouts and designs, the Blutrack might be better suited. Orange track (seamless or otherwise) can't support open lane racing as it is. I agree with CutRock that the Blutrack may perform poorly compared to orange track, but for the fat track stuff, I don't think the performance of the track comes into consideration as much as it does with a straight drag strip.
The side walls of Blutrack might be kind of short for the open banger racing but still worth a look, I think. I'm gonna dig my Blutrack out and see how easy it is to strip that middle barrier. I mean, given the Crash Racers have ridges, even if the Blutrack has a little bump down the middle, as long as cars can swing from side to side you'd be good.
any blutrack updates? I'm interested to see what everyone whose using it thinks about it. i might try it out to mold two hills on my track. heat it up with a heat gun and let it cool over the shape i want for the hill correct?
If I could chime in. When it came to the blue track, I'll look at what diecast for life did with his track. Now he just used it as a drag strip but if he wanted turns he will have to make different types of loops in the track but i but I will see this here when it came to different cars that are wider than the orange track that track is better far as the performance wise I have no experience with this track at all but also Mr Mom racing deals with blue track or if someone want to call a great track but I think it's of the same company. And it seems that a lot of cars will ride down it fast and quick now I know he left it outside permanently when he was at his house he's going to be returning to the diecast world. I think he's better to explain it him and Mr Mom Joe cuz they dealt with a lot of the blue track they can give a better explanation on that type of track and how to deal with it.
I just might have a little left over piece of blu track somewhere. It's not enough to race on, but maybe it gives some insight on how it looks and feels after when it's cut. To be continued within a few days...
And as far as it goes on global questions about blu track: first of all, we race it for quite some time now, next to orange track and vintage matchbox track.
What I like: there are cars that really excel (consistent) at blu track. Regularly, these are other cars than orange track heroes. So new legends will emerge.
What I don't like: Because of the wider tracks, some cars will be (far) less consistent on blu track due to wall bouncing. In general my opinion is that Blu track will prove less consistent than orange for certain models.
My personal verdict: I really like Blu track and it bring big fun because it will provode new heroes (who are definitely consistent). Just keep in mind, orange track gives more consistency for a WIDER selection of cars.
I just cut the lane divider off and it comes off pretty easy. I needed to cut a few times to smoothen out left over ridges and the looks are questinable, but the result actually feels quite ok. It looks rough, but feels pretty smooth. Sanding might give a better result, but i leave that up to you. The track still seems sturdy and won't tear when bended heavily.
Good luck with the project, if it's not already done ;)
I'd think you'd be able to just slice that divider right off...just be careful. And then maybe use a dremel to grid off what's left and get it smooth. I'll be interested to see how that works. I have some Blutrack but never thought about modding it...hmmmm...
As far as paint, I don't know...never tried...but my gut says paint might have a hard time sticking, and I don't know what type of grip the paint will provide, if that's of concern to you. If not, then I'd shoot it with whatever paint you want and see how it handles.