RC cars give you a thrilling experience on every ride. As you keep using the vehicle, dirt builds up on the interior and exterior. It decreases performance gradually. Knowing how to clean an RC car is essential to keep the vehicle working at its peak condition.
Looking for the best way to clean RC car? Worry not. Here we are with an easy guide you can follow for a proper cleaning procedure.
As RC cars combine mechanical and electrical components, you must follow the proper cleaning method for each portion. Read along with the guide, and the procedures will be clearer to you.
Best Way to Clean RC Car – 10 Easy Steps
The durability of an RC car depends on how well you take care of it. When you ignore the cleaning procedure, rust can damage the metal parts. Then again, dirt buildup can decrease the function of each component.
Dirt and grit eliminate the smooth operation of each moving component like suspension, motor, wheels, steering mechanism, and other minor portions. Therefore, the car works way below peak performance.
Let’s see the best way you can follow to clean an RC vehicle
Required Tools To Clean RC Car
Before starting the process, you need to acquire the required tools. Here are the things you will need for proper cleaning.
- Microfiber Cloth
- Sponge
- Different-sized soft and stiff brushes
- Cleaning agent
- Windex
- Air Compressor or Canned air
- Detergent or washing solution
- WD-40
With all the arrangements, let’s get into the steps –
Step 1 – Get to the Chassis
It is better to do the cleaning indoors on a working table. First, you need to get to the chassis of your RC car. Therefore, remove the body and wheels. Keep them aside in a safe location.
Place the chassis upside down to let the big and loose debris out.
Step 2 – Blow Clean the Loose Dirt
Use the compressed air cannon or can to clean the loose dirt on individual parts. Keep blowing air on the components until they are clean enough.
Components like suspension and steering mechanisms hold dirt and mud cake very well. Blow those components up close to loosen up the mud.
Step 3 – Scrub the Stubborn Dirt with Brush
Use suitable-sized brushes to loosen up the stubborn dirt and mud buildups. Make sure that each of the moving mechanisms is clean.
When you finish brushing the components, blow some compressed air to remove them from the surface.
Step 4 – Remove the Electronics
Once you finish the initial dirt cleaning, now it’s time to remove the electronics. The further process involves a watery solution, which may damage the electronics. Therefore, a removal procedure is required.
Although some RC cars’ electrical components are water and splash-resistant, it is better to remove them to avoid any accidental damage.
Step 5 – Clean the Electronic with Contact Cleaner
To clean RC car, clean all the electronics separately. Do not use stiff brushes; use soft ones to clean the surface. Blow some compressed air to get rid of dirt from the brushed area.
Spray some contact cleaner on the microfiber cloth and clean the surface accordingly. When you are done with all the electronic components, make sure they are properly dried. Keep them in a safe location before reassembling them.
Step 6 – Clean the Chassis with Soapy Water
Still, after all the brushing and air blowing, there will be some stubborn mud buildups that need to be removed. For this, find a suitable place where you can wash the chassis by blowing water on the surface.
Apply some soapy water to the stubborn dirt to break them down. Then rub the areas carefully with brushes. Apply normal water to rinse the soap after you clean each portion.
Make sure there is no remainder dirt on the metal parts and moving joints. Otherwise, it may result in rusty components.
Use a solution like Simple Green to remove the sticky mud to clean RC car if it is not coming off quickly.
Step 7 – Dry the Surface-water with Microfiber Cloth
Water is a great enemy for metal parts in an RC car. Once there is a generation of rust in any metal portions, it spreads rapidly to other areas. Also, mud sticks well to places where there is moisture.
Therefore, you need to clean the easy-to-reach areas with a microfiber cloth.
Step 8 – Blow Dry the Chassis with Compressed Air
After cleaning the surface, there will still be water remainder on harder-to-reach potions like suspension and moving joints like steering set-up.
Blow compressed air to those places to get rid of the water on them. After blowing each component, dry the spilled-out water from the surface with a microfiber cloth.
Follow the same procedure for each portion. After you are done with all the areas, inspect for any water remainder carefully.
Step 9 – Clean the Body and the Wheels
You are almost at the end of the cleaning process. Now it is time for the body to get cleaned. Spray water on the body to loosen up the dirt. Then apply soapy water and scrub the surface with a sponge.
Rinse the surface well with normal water. If you want to get a proper shine on the body surface, apply some Windex.
For the wheels, make sure to close the breathing holes before applying soapy water. Scrub the areas well to get rid of the mud. Dry the wheel’s surface with microfiber cloth and finally blow with compressed air for proper drying.
Step 10 – Assemble the Parts
Finally, you are at the last section of the process. Now it is time to reassemble the parts together. Before attaching them to the chassis, give a quick check over all the components.
Things You Need to Take into Consideration
There are some things you really need to take into consideration while cleaning an RC car. These are precautions you need to follow to avoid accidental damage.
Do not Submerge the Electronics in Water
The electronic component does not have a good relationship with water. While some components may be water and splash-proof, some may not be.
Most electronics are prone to water damage. Then again, there is no way you can get rid of water if it gets inside the battery pack and motor. Disassembling these parts is too much complicated, and there is a risk of failure in the reassembly.
So, avoiding water contact and totally avoiding submerging the electronics will be helpful.
Check for any Loose Screws or Worn-Out Parts Before Reassembly
It is necessary to look for any loose screws when you dismantle any mechanism. The same goes for your RC car. Check all the screws well to ensure they are in standard condition.
If you have been using the RC vehicle for a while now, there can be some failing parts. Therefore, inspect all the components well, and find any part that needs a change.
Lubricate the Joints If Necessary
Some sections like wheel joints, ball bearings, and steering mechanisms may require lubrication. We all know soap is a good agent for removing oils from surfaces. Therefore, it can happen that the lubricated area has lost oil due to cleaning with soapy water.
Inspect the smoothness of those parts and lubricate them as needed.
Apply WD40 on the Metal Parts to Avoid Surface Rust
Rust is the greatest threat to any metal part. As RC cars are made of metal and plastic, metal portions are prone to rust if they come in contact with moisture.
Therefore, after drying the surface with a microfiber cloth and compressed air, wipe the metal areas with some WD-40. It will help avoid any moisture buildup, eliminating the risk of rust.
FAQ – Best Way to Clean RC Car
Let’s check out some of the most frequently answered questions to clean RC car.
Do I need to grease my RC car?
Yes! Lubrication ensures the smooth movement of any mechanical parts. From the manufacturers, those portions come with good lubrication. It may vanish gradually after use. Therefore, you can use grease to lubricate the parts for smooth operation.
Can you hose an RC car?
Yes, you can hose an RC car. You should use a gentle stream of water and avoid getting the electronics wet. As the electronic components may get damaged by this rapid flow of water, you need to remove them before you hose the chassis and body.
It is better to remove the wheels too, as there is a chance of water getting inside through the breathing holes.
How do you clean plastic RC parts?
Plastic parts can easily be cleaned with soapy water. Apply a soapy solution, scrub with a sponge, rinse with normal water, and then dry. If you want a new-like shine, you can use shining substances like Windex to get the factory look. For tires, you can use tire shine.
How often should I clean RC car?
Depending on how often you use your RC car, we recommend cleaning it every 5 to 10 runs. It will help keep your car running smoothly and looking clean.
Can I use alcohol to clean RC car?
Yes! You can use alcohol to clean your RC car by wiping it down with a clean cloth. Be sure to allow the car to dry completely before driving it. Doing this will clean the car and prevent it from getting dirty again.
Final Words
RC cars are a lot of fun, but they need to be properly maintained in order to continue running well. Knowing how to clean RC car is essential for keeping it in good condition.
It is all about proper maintenance when it comes to getting the best performance from your RC car. Dirt and mud buildup on the components creates a suffocating situation for the vehicle.
To ensure the smooth movement of all the components, follow our best ways to clean RC car. Ensure proper cleaning, and the car will give its peak performance.
There are different ways to clean different parts of an RC car, so make sure you follow the correct procedure for each component. By cleaning your RC car regularly, you can keep it running smoothly and ensure that you have a thrilling experience every time you take it for a ride.