Pinewood Derby Car Tips and Tricks

Graphite and weights are always good to use.

Always remember to put the weights in the back, for propulsion down the track.

If a car is too heavy, drill holes in the bottom that won't be visible on the car.

Always remember aerodynamics when making a car (drag, force, etc.).

Paint almost always looks better with a second coat.

Polyurethane gloss is how the pros get their cars shiny. It's cheap, and can be used year after year.

The more you sand, generally, the smoother your car will be.

Rounding the little stub that comes on the rim on the wheels with sandpaper is legal, and can make your car go faster if you don't cut off too much.

Hot glue works better than super glue when holding weights in.

Sinkers are a good, cheap alternative to car weights, although be sure to wash your hands after handling them. Most contain lead, while car weights are lead-free.

Mixing colors may be the only way to get the one you want.

2011 Monster Mutt Truck

 Here is Monster Mutt before we added wheels, a tongue, and ears.

 The "lift" look was achieved by pencils cut to size.

Monster Mutt won 1st for design.














What you need:
1 standard pinewood derby kit
Dark brown felt
Light brown paint
White paint
Dark brown paint
Black paint
Red paint
Wood polyurethane gloss
60 grit sand paper
150 grit sandpaper
Saw of some kind
2 pencils
A thin block of wood, the same size as the derby car, in area
Super glue or hot glue gun
Painters tape (optional)
Weights (optional)
Drill (optional)
Graphite (optional)
How I made it:

Step 1. Cut the block to the proper dimensions for a basic shape of the truck, rounding the top.

Step 2. Carefully cut off the bottom part of the car, making fenders while having 2 pieces of wood. Save the spare piece.

Step 3. Sand the entire car with 60-grit sandpaper.

Step 4.Take the spare piece of wood and cut it to the dimensions of the bottom frame, as shown in the picture.

Step 5. Cut the pencils into 4 separate pieces, all the same length, so it would make the car higher but below the height restriction, as shown in the picture.

Step 6. Hot glue or super glue the pencils as shown in the picture to connect the 2 frames, as the "lift" of this truck.

Step 7. After all of the glue is dry, paint the top with a dark brown base, and paint the bottom with a black base. Repeat this step after the paint dries.

Step 8. Give the car a light sanding with 150 grit sandpaper.

Step 9. After the second coat is dry, paint on all of the designs. At this point, it would help to have a picture of Monster Mutt.

Step 10. After the details are painted and do not need another coat, paint a thin coat of polyurethane gloss on the entire car.

Step 11. After the first coat is dry, give the entire car a second coat of polyurethane gloss. Let it dry overnight.

Step 12. After the gloss is dry, cut the felt into ears and glue them on the car, as shown in the picture.

Step 13. Attach the wheels to the axles and then glue the axles to the axle holes. Let the glue dry.

Step 14. Add weights and/or graphite to the car. (optional)

Step 15. Cut a small piece of wood, paint it red, and glue it where the tongue goes.

Step 16. Race your car when it is dry.