Carson RC Car Care & Service
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Von
Oliver K.
A well-maintained RC car is an RC car that you can enjoy for a long time.
After all, cleaning and maintenance determine how long your model will remain functional and efficient. So that you know what to look out for when it comes to RC car care and servicing, we have compiled the most important information on this topic for you in this guide.
General information on servicing and maintaining RC cars
Ideally, you should clean your RC car after every ride and, above all, check it for damage. Small cracks or chips, which can occur quickly, can usually be repaired easily and do not cause any major problems - as long as they are recognised and repaired quickly. By taking the RC car service seriously and regularly taking the time to carefully inspect your model, you can effectively prevent serious consequential damage in many cases. Of course, you don't necessarily have to clean every last corner of your RC model after every use. For conscientious RC car care, it is sufficient to remove coarse dirt immediately and also clean the car thoroughly on a regular basis. However, many RC fans enjoy RC car care, so are happy to devote themselves to intensive cleaning more often than absolutely necessary.
Important to know: RC car service and maintenance are much less time consuming for models with electric motors than for comparable remote-controlled cars with combustion engines. Ideally, you should be aware of this when purchasing a model.
How should you clean an RC car?
These three steps are essential for correct RC car cleaning:
1. Clean the body and chassis
First, clean the body and chassis. You can soften and remove coarse dirt with a damp, soft cloth and carefully wipe off fine deposits, such as dust, with a microfiber cloth. The best way to get into grooves and crevices is with a brush, toothbrush or cotton swab.
2. Dismantle and clean moving parts
If the moving parts of your RC car can be removed, you should dismantle them as part of your RC car care. You can clean non-removable parts as best as possible by using a delicate brush, for example. You can find the ideal tool for cleaning RC cars at Tamiya. Under "Polish, cleaner, aging material" you can access practical materials for RC car care, while under "Additional accessories", where you can also find cotton buds for cleaning.
3. Clean the air filter
Remember to clean the air filter. To do this, take the air filter apart: Rinse the outer foam layer with water and allow it to dry completely before inserting it. Wash the inner layer with fuel, squeeze it out carefully and pack it with a small amount of air filter oil in a plastic bag. This will allow you to massage the oil in nicely before reassembling the filter.
What you should know about the inspection and maintenance of RC cars
In addition to cleaning, the RC car service or maintenance of your model vehicle is also essential. Above all, you should keep an eye on these things:
Check body and chassis
Examine the body and chassis and look out for any damage to the material. If you find fine cracks or small paint chips during the RC car service, you can repair these quite easily. Larger damage may require more extensive repairs or may even mean that you have to replace the bodywork.
Tighten screws and inspect gear wheels
Check all screws for a tight fit and tighten them if necessary. You can also apply a screw safety varnish. Also take a look at the gear wheels and check that they are running smoothly. Defective gear wheels are not to be trifled with! They must be replaced or repaired before the next ride.
Repair or replace damaged parts
Just like the gears, you also check the ball bearings, gearbox, suspension and other parts for proper functioning for a complete RC car service. Minor defects can often be repaired by yourself, while more severely damaged parts should be replaced. You can find suitable spare parts at Tamiya and Carson. It is advisable to always have a spare in stock, especially for wearing parts.
Check battery
To ensure that you can start your next RC adventure without any problems, you should take a look at the battery during the RC car service. This should be intact and powerful. If there are any noticeable defects - such as overheating or cracks - the battery must be replaced.
Using after-run oil for combustion engines
The after-run oil protects your engine from nitromethane and is specially designed for combustion engines. Before using the oil, you must completely empty the fuel lines and tank, remove the glow plug and dry the engine. Remove the air filter and carefully drip a single drop of oil into the carburetor. The next step is to dry it again, then you can reassemble the parts.
Useful tips and tricks for the care and servicing of your RC vehicles
For optimum results when servicing and maintaining your RC car, you should take these tips to heart:
Use the right tools for RC car cleaning and servicing
With the right tools, everything is easier. So don't make it harder than it has to be and say goodbye to inferior, impractical tools. Instead, opt for tools that fit well in your hand and ideally are even designed specifically for cleaning and maintaining RC cars.
Use high-quality cleaning agents and oils
The same applies to cleaning agents and oils, for example for the air filter or carburetor: Choose products that are ideal for working on RC cars. This is also particularly important because unsuitable products can potentially cause damage to your model.
Allow time for cleaning the RC car
Five minutes is not enough to thoroughly clean an RC car and carry out maintenance work if necessary. So plan enough time so that you can carry out the work with the necessary care.
Regular maintenance and creating a routine
And regularity is also an important factor when it comes to RC car servicing and cleaning. It's best to make a habit of it and create your own personal maintenance and cleaning routine. This way, you won't forget these important tasks and can easily fit them into your everyday life.
Be careful
You don't have to handle your RC vehicles with the proverbial kid glove, but a certain amount of caution is required when handling the models. Handle fragile parts in particular with care and use your strength carefully when servicing your RC car.
Repair vs. replace - correctly assessing damage
If you discover damage to your RC car, the question arises: repair or replace? Which option is better depends on the respective costs, your skill and knowledge as well as the extent of the damage. The more expensive the repair, the greater the damage and the less know-how you have, the less likely it is to be advisable to repair it. If, on the other hand, you know your way around and perhaps even already have the materials required to repair your car or can obtain them cheaply, there is nothing to be said against a repair. You should also consider the age of the damaged part when making your decision. For example, if it is a well-used wearing part that will have to be replaced in the foreseeable future anyway, you can save yourself the expense of a repair.
Inform yourself and avoid mistakes
Of course, mistakes can happen when maintaining and caring for an RC model. To minimize the risk of serious errors, you should familiarize yourself with the topic in advance, find out about the correct procedure and acquire a solid basic technical understanding.
Conclusion: Important points to consider for Carson RC car care and service
If you love your car, you don't necessarily have to push it, but you definitely need to maintain and service it regularly. Take time after every ride for a quick inspection and at least a superficial clean and schedule thorough RC car care and service work at regular intervals. This will keep your RC car in good condition in the long term and allow you to enjoy your rides to the fullest.
Are you looking for a new RC car that you can look after and maintain? Then be sure to check out Tamiya! One click here will take you straight to the versatile RC models from the renowned brand.