Whether the layout is AFX, Tyco, Lifelike, or just about any other sectional track, adding lane colors is one of the best upgrades for slot car racing. It’s simple, inexpensive, and makes a big difference on race day.
Tape and stickers might seem like the obvious choice, but they cause more problems than they solve. The issue is rail height: tape adds just enough thickness to lift a car’s pickup shoes off the rails. It can also peel up over time and get stuck to the tires.
A better method is a paint pen applied along the center guide slot. The center slot is ideal because almost nothing ever touches it. The only exceptions are a crown gear or a guide pin on a car running very low (and possibly a body screw on some T-Jets). For the most part, it’s well away from where the tires ride.
1. Clean the track. Wipe the center slot area with alcohol or a degreaser so the paint adheres well.
2. Reshape the tip before priming the pen. Paint pens come with a pointed tip, but a blunter tip works better. Use flush-cut pliers to snip off the point, then cut a small step into the tip. The step lets the tip sit down into the guide slot so it tracks along the edge while painting. Do this while the tip is still clean, before any paint is flowing.
3. Prime the pen. Shake the pen thoroughly, then press the tip down to start the paint flowing. Each press releases more paint, so keep going until the tip is well saturated. Do this over a scrap surface to avoid drips on the table.
4. Apply the paint. Run the tip along the slot. Paint both sides of the slot for bold color, or just one side for a lighter look. Reload the tip every so often by pressing it down again. Go as light or as heavy as desired.
5. Clean up overspray. Pressing too hard can spatter paint onto the surrounding track. Simply wipe it away. Keeping the tip a little drier helps prevent this, and results improve with practice.
The paint is close to dry to the touch within minutes, but allow a couple of hours for it to fully set, especially with a fan blowing on it.
The paint wears down gradually with normal use and track cleaning. Removing it on purpose, however, will likely make a mess, so finalize the layout before painting.
This matters because curves aren’t interchangeable the way straights are. A curve piece might be the inside lane in one spot and the outside lane in another, especially on layouts with an overpass. Some racers stripe only their straightaways for exactly this reason.
Don’t let the planning step be a deterrent. Lane colors make a huge difference in racing. Turn marshals can instantly tell which lane is which, and more color on the track is easier on everyone’s eyes.
Real racetracks don’t have colored lanes, but they don’t have power rails or guide slots either. Lane colors give a slot car track the look a slot car track should have.
Checkout our shop! We have Track Lane Paint Markers and customizable slot car tracks!
