I found that placing the entire car in very hot water will allow you to remove the tires and wheels without much hassle. When you put the new tires on do the same, put in it hot water. I keep the axels on the car and use a wire wheel to clean the paint off the axel. You can also use a heat gun to heat up the casting to bend the axel crimps without then breaking. Take some practice but it’s doable.
Marty's matchbox makeovers shows, what I think, is a great way to do this type axle. He grinds down the thick part on one end, careful not to hit the wheel, then the tire slides off and you can pull the axle out the other side. He also has a rig set up made from nails on his drill press to balloon the end back out to keep everything in place when you're done.
just heat the tires up with a hair dryer and they will pull right through with the help of mini needle nose plyers from behind. then heat them up again and push them right back on. looks like they were never removed. I do that on all the old push on tires. never cut the original axials unless bent to the point of no return.
I have two of those lil tow trucks in green, was thinking about a resto job on one and customizing the other with a cool paint job and different wheels, yours turned out very nice
I’ve been using Citrus Strip and it has worked for me in about 10 minutes. It’s like most strippers it probably depends on the paint. I also just finished the same truck only in white.
I found that placing the entire car in very hot water will allow you to remove the tires and wheels without much hassle. When you put the new tires on do the same, put in it hot water. I keep the axels on the car and use a wire wheel to clean the paint off the axel. You can also use a heat gun to heat up the casting to bend the axel crimps without then breaking. Take some practice but it’s doable.
You won my heart with the intro 💜
Marty's matchbox makeovers shows, what I think, is a great way to do this type axle. He grinds down the thick part on one end, careful not to hit the wheel, then the tire slides off and you can pull the axle out the other side. He also has a rig set up made from nails on his drill press to balloon the end back out to keep everything in place when you're done.
I was about to suggest that
just heat the tires up with a hair dryer and they will pull right through with the help of mini needle nose plyers from behind. then heat them up again and push them right back on. looks like they were never removed. I do that on all the old push on tires. never cut the original axials unless bent to the point of no return.
Hi bro 👋👋👋 excellent restoration of the tow truck and the color is good 👍👍👍🤝🤝🤝
Thanks! I like the color too.
I have two of those lil tow trucks in green, was thinking about a resto job on one and customizing the other with a cool paint job and different wheels, yours turned out very nice
Jimmy Buffet Tear Do it! I have a couple others also. A full custom would be so fun! Thanks for the kind words.
I’ve been using Citrus Strip and it has worked for me in about 10 minutes.
It’s like most strippers it probably depends on the paint.
I also just finished the same truck only in white.
Brad Sullivan I have not tried it for that short of time yet, but I will now! So far, I really like it. I’ve done about 6 restorations with it so far.
Where did you buy the stripper?
I’ve got a bunch of those hot wheels tow trucks that I am customizing
This is wrong in so many way OMG