How to Clean Your RC Car After Bashing

Introduction

Regular cleaning of your RC car is essential to maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. Dirt, mud, and debris can work their way into bearings, servos, and other moving parts, causing premature wear and reducing performance. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cleaning your RC car after bashing.

Immediate Cleaning Steps

After a bashing session, it's essential to clean your RC car as soon as possible to prevent damage. Here are the immediate cleaning steps:
- Rinse the car with clean water, avoiding the use of a pressure washer directly at bearings, electronics, or the receiver box.
- Remove wheels and pull the bearings, rinse, blow dry, and re-oil all bearings immediately.
- Open the receiver box and pull the receiver, pat dry, blow with compressed air, and let it air dry completely before sealing.
- Remove the motor, blow out the motor with compressed air, and if it was submerged, disassemble (brushed) or let it air dry fully (brushless) before running.
- Apply a corrosion inhibitor to exposed metal parts, such as chassis screws, shock shafts, and linkage hardware.

Standard Cleaning Procedure

For a more thorough cleaning, follow these steps:
1. Remove the motor from the car.
2. Spray RC motor cleaner or electronics contact cleaner directly into the motor through the vent holes and brush hoods.
3. Spin the shaft by hand while spraying to work cleaner into all commutator gaps.
4. Blow out with compressed air, holding the can upright to avoid blasting liquid propellant into the motor.
5. Allow to fully dry before reinstalling (5-10 minutes, or use low-heat air).
6. Apply a single small drop of light oil to each bearing after cleaning.

Cleaning Frequency

Clean the motor every 10-15 runs under normal conditions. After running in water, mud, or sand, clean immediately. Never use WD-40, as it leaves residue and damages brush material. Use dedicated RC motor cleaner or isopropyl alcohol (90%+ concentration).

Additional Tips

- Regular cleaning keeps your RC car running like new every time you take it out for a drive.
- Cleaning your RC car after every driving session prevents rust and corrosion, extends component life, maintains performance, and makes repairs easier.
- Use the right tools and techniques to clean your RC car, and avoid using certain cleaning methods that can damage the electronics or components.

Conclusion

Regular cleaning of your RC car is crucial to maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. By following the immediate cleaning steps, standard cleaning procedure, and additional tips, you can keep your RC car in top condition and ensure it continues to perform well for a long time.