Radio controlled cars come in off road versions, built to survive crashes and rough ground, and on road versions, which are faster but only suited to smooth surfaces. Most, including children's models, are battery powered, but there are also nitro models with combustion engines, popular with adults and in racing.
Even the toughest chassis needs regular care: cleaning, checking, lubrication and replacing worn parts. The five steps below will keep your model fast and extend the life of its bearings and electronics.
What you will need
Important: Always disconnect and remove the battery before servicing. Never wash the model under running water. Do not use or charge a damaged or swollen LiPo battery.
Step 1
Clean the model after every run
The most important rule is to clean the car after every session. Dust, sand and soil are easiest to blow out with compressed air: a small hobby compressor with a narrow nozzle reaches even the tightest gaps. Without a compressor, a soft brush or paintbrush will do.
Once most of the dust is gone, wipe the model with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner. Pay special attention to the areas around the bearings, as dirt and dust wear them out fastest.
Step 2
Clean the wheel bearings
Take the wheels off: grass often wraps around the axles and gets between the rim and the outer bearing, damaging the bearing and jamming the drivetrain. Pull it out with tweezers.
Treat the bearings and axles with WD-40 Smart Straw with the straw up: it dissolves dirt and drives out every trace of water after running through wet grass or puddles. Wipe off the excess.
Step 3
Check and lubricate the bearings
Check for play from time to time. Too much play makes the wheels wobble and wears the bearing quickly, and a worn bearing drags the wheel under load and overworks the motor. Roll the chassis across a table: it should run freely without noise or squeaks.
Lubricate the clean bearings with WD-40 Specialist Silicone: it is safe on plastic and rubber, reduces friction and repels water. Do this regularly, especially before and after running in the wet.
Step 4
Service the drivetrain and chassis
Inspect the chassis and the whole drivetrain from motor to wheels. Check the screws on the servo horn, steering links, lower shock mounts, suspension arms and upper links, as vibration loosens them. Tighten moderately, because too much force strips threads in plastic.
Lubricate pivots and moving joints, cleaned beforehand with WD-40, using WD-40 Specialist Silicone. Use it on the differential housings too, if they can be opened.
Step 5
Check the electronics
Inspect the electrical components: the speed controller fan must spin freely, nothing should be working loose, and cables must be undamaged and clear of the drivetrain.
Pay special attention to the battery compartment and the cleanliness of the contacts. Treat connectors, contacts and the outside of the receiver with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner: it dissolves grease and moisture, is safe on delicate materials and dries quickly without residue.
Tip: After running in snow or wet grass, blow the water out of the bearings straight away and treat them with WD-40: they will not have time to rust before the next run.
What next
Clean the model after every run, lubricate bearings and joints every few runs and always after wet conditions, and do a full check of screws and electronics once a month. That way your car will stay fast and responsive for a long time.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
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