Regularly cleaning your RC drift car is crucial for maintaining its performance and extending its lifespan. A thorough cleaning regimen involves carefully disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling various components, ensuring your car performs optimally on the track.
Why Clean Your RC Drift Car?
Cleaning your RC drift car isn't just about aesthetics; it's a vital part of maintenance that prevents premature wear, improves performance, and allows you to inspect for any damaged parts. Dust, dirt, and tire residue can accumulate, hindering the smooth operation of moving parts and potentially leading to costly repairs.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools and cleaning agents. Having everything organized will make the process more efficient.
| Tool/Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Brush Set | Stiff and soft bristles for different components. |
| Microfiber Cloths | For wiping down surfaces without scratching. |
| Compressed Air | To blow away loose dirt from hard-to-reach areas. |
| Degreaser/Cleaner | RC-specific cleaner, motor cleaner, or isopropyl alcohol. |
| Acetone | Specifically for cleaning metal parts and removing grease. |
| Lubricants | Bearing oil, gear grease, shock oil. |
| Screwdriver Set | For disassembly and reassembly. |
| Parts Tray/Organizer | To keep disassembled parts sorted. |
| Tweezers | For small parts and stubborn debris. |
| Clean Water | For washing certain components. |
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Follow these steps for a comprehensive cleaning of your RC drift car:
1. Initial Inspection and Disassembly
Start by visually inspecting your car for any obvious damage or excessive dirt. Before cleaning, you'll need to partially or fully disassemble certain sections.
- Remove the Body Shell: Carefully detach the body clips and remove the shell. Set it aside for cleaning.
- Remove Wheels and Tires: Take off all four wheels. This provides better access to the suspension and drivetrain.
- Disconnect Electronics (Optional): If doing a deep clean, you might disconnect the battery, ESC, receiver, and motor, especially if using liquids.
- Photograph Sections: Before disassembling complex areas, take photos for reference during reassembly.
2. Cleaning the Body Shell
The body shell is often the easiest part to clean.
- Rinse: Gently rinse the exterior with lukewarm water to remove loose dirt.
- Wash: Use a mild soap (like dish soap) and a soft cloth or sponge to wash the inside and outside of the shell. Pay attention to wheel wells and crevices where rubber dust accumulates.
- Dry: Thoroughly dry the shell with a microfiber cloth or let it air dry completely to prevent water spots.
3. Cleaning the Chassis and Electronics
This section requires a delicate touch to avoid damaging sensitive components.
- Brush Away Loose Dirt: Use a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush to gently remove dust and debris from the chassis plate, battery tray, and around electronic components.
- Compressed Air: Use compressed air to blow out dirt from tight spaces, under the ESC, and around the motor. Hold the can upright to prevent propellant discharge.
- Wipe Down: Dampen a microfiber cloth with a small amount of RC-specific cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and carefully wipe down the chassis plate. Avoid direct contact with electronics.
- Inspect Wiring: Check all wires for fraying or loose connections.
4. Drivetrain and Suspension Components
This is where the most intricate cleaning occurs, as these parts are prone to collecting grease and grime.
- Disassemble Key Areas: Carefully remove suspension arms, steering linkages, dog bones or universal shafts, and possibly gearboxes or differentials if you're doing a full overhaul. Keep track of all screws and small parts.
- Brush and Scrape: Use a stiff brush or a pick tool to scrape off caked-on dirt, old grease, and tire residue from suspension arms, steering knuckles, and around axles.
- Clean Metal Parts: For heavily soiled metal components like axles, universal joints, and bearing housings, a powerful solvent like acetone is excellent. Acetone will effectively remove surface contaminants and all types of grease, leaving metal parts pristine. Submerge or carefully wipe down the metal parts. Ensure good ventilation when using acetone.
- Clean Bearings: If bearings feel gritty, they might need cleaning or replacement. You can try to clean them by flushing them with a bearing cleaner or a light solvent and then re-oiling them with specific bearing oil.
- Clean Gears: Use a stiff brush and a degreaser to remove old grease and dirt from spur gears, pinions, and differential gears. Ensure teeth are free of obstructions.
- Clean Shocks: Wipe down the shock bodies and inspect for leaks. If rebuilding, clean all internal components before refilling with fresh shock oil.
5. Cleaning Wheels and Tires
Tires are often overlooked but contribute to performance.
- Remove Debris: Use tweezers or a small pick to remove any embedded debris (e.g., small pebbles, carpet fibers) from the tire treads.
- Wash Wheels: Use soap and water or a mild cleaner to wash the wheel rims.
- Wipe Tires: Wipe down the tire surface with a damp cloth to remove rubber dust and grime. For drift tires, ensure the contact surface is clean.
6. Reassembly and Lubrication
Once all parts are clean and dry, it's time to put everything back together.
- Lubricate: Apply appropriate lubricants to moving parts.
- Gears: Apply a thin layer of specialized RC gear grease to spur and differential gears.
- Bearings: If cleaned, apply a drop of light bearing oil.
- Dog Bones/Universal Joints: A small amount of grease can help reduce wear.
- Reassemble: Carefully follow your disassembly steps in reverse, referring to your photos if needed. Ensure all screws are tightened appropriately, but avoid overtightening.
- Function Test: After reassembly, manually check all moving parts for smooth operation before powering up the electronics. Ensure steering, suspension, and drivetrain move freely.
Regular cleaning is a small investment of time that pays off in improved performance and a longer, more enjoyable life for your RC drift car.
