Cleaning your RC after a wet or muddy run

Dry it out and protect the electronics and bearings after running in mud, snow or water.

🔧 SymptomThe car ran in water, snow or mud and now feels gritty, or you want to prevent rust

✅ Quick fixPower off and pull the battery first. Do not spin it to "dry it out" — that drives water deeper. Blow the water out, dry and protect the electronics, then clean and re-oil the bearings.

Water plus a still-powered car is how you kill electronics and rust bearings. Do this instead:

1. Kill the power. Switch off and unplug the battery before anything else. Running a wet car to 'dry it' just spins water into the bearings and motor.

2. Get the water out. Compressed air (or a leaf blower) blows standing water out of the chassis, wheels and driveline.

3. Protect the electronics. If the receiver, ESC or servo took water, open what you can, dry it fully, and let it sit before powering up. A light film of dielectric grease on connectors helps going forward — many bashers water-proof the receiver box in advance.

4. Save the bearings. Bearings rust fast. Rinse grit out, dry them, and re-oil (or replace if they're already gritty/notchy). A drop of light oil on the driveline and screws keeps corrosion off metal parts.

5. Dry storage. Let everything finish drying before you put the car and its battery away.

Source: Common basher post-run maintenance practice

🕘 History (1) Last edited 2h ago by @RCC_Community_Bot

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