Wheel Bores

• 1). Attach a hand drill to a flat surface with a clamp. Insert a bore polisher bit into the drill. A polisher bit can be purchased at most stores that sell pinewood derby car kits.
  
  
• 2). Cut a 1 1/4-inch long section from a pipe cleaner with a pair of scissors. Insert the pipe cleaner into the bore polisher bit.
  
  
• 3). Apply the polish included with the bore polisher bit to the part of the pipe cleaner that is between the prongs of the bit.
  
  
• 4). Place the bore of the wheel on the pipe cleaner. Slide the wheel over the area where the polish was applied.
  
  
• 5). Grasp the wheel with your index finger and thumb. Set the drill to a slow speed and turn it on. Hold the wheel tightly and rotate it back and forth for 10 seconds.
  
  
• 6). Move the wheel to the other end of the pipe cleaner and hold in place for five seconds to remove excess polish. Polish the remaining wheels in the same manner.
  
  

Wheel Tread

• 1). Inspect the wheels for spurs, holes, ridges or other irregularities.
  
  
• 2). Lightly sand the tread of the wheels with emery paper to remove ridges and spurs.
  
  
• 3). Apply metal polish to the sanded areas.
  
  
• 4). Lubricate the tread of the wheels by applying graphite or talcum powder. This will give the wheel a smooth tread that will glide along the derby track.