Maintain your RC car after driving in rain, mud, or snow

Fall and winter in Belgium and the Netherlands are anything but dry. Fortunately, many modern RC cars are "waterproof" or "water-resistant", and driving through puddles, mud, and snow is great fun. But what your car needs after a drive like that is just as important as the drive itself. Water and dirt get everywhere, causing rust, seized bearings, and electronic problems.

Before you set off: is your car really waterproof?

"Waterproof" on the box usually means that the ESC, servo, and receiver can handle splashes and brief runs through puddles. It does not mean your car can be submerged. Be sure to check:

• whether your ESC and servo are waterproof (especially after an upgrade),
• whether the receiver box is properly sealed and the O-ring is intact,
• whether your motor can handle water. Brushless motors are usually fine, but brushed motors wear out much faster in water.

Step 1: Remove the battery

After driving, always remove the battery from the car first. Dry the battery and connectors, and check whether any water has got inside the housing.

Step 2: Remove loose dirt

Remove the body and knock or brush off most of the mud. A soft brush or an old toothbrush works well. Dried mud is often easier to remove than wet mud.

Step 3: Rinse carefully

If necessary, use a plant mister or a gentle stream of water to rinse off the remaining dirt.

• Never use a pressure washer. It forces water and dirt into bearings, servos, and electronics.
• Do not aim the water directly at the ESC, receiver box, or motor.
• Have you driven in snow or on salted roads? Be sure to rinse the car thoroughly: road salt is highly corrosive to metal parts, screws, and bearings.

Step 4: Dry thoroughly

Blow the car dry with compressed air or a compressor, or leave it to dry somewhere warm (not hot). You can turn the car upside down so water can drain from the axles and gearbox. Don't forget the wheels: remove them, because a lot of water often stays in the tires and inserts. Leave the tires to dry open, otherwise the inserts may go moldy or become heavy.

Step 5: Protect the bearings

Bearings are most vulnerable to water. After drying, spray a water-displacing product such as WD-40 on the bearings, then let the car run briefly or turn the wheels by hand so the product spreads. Then lubricate them with a suitable bearing oil, because water-displacing products provide little lubrication themselves.

Does a bearing turn roughly or make a grinding noise? Replace it right away, before it seizes and damages an axle or suspension arm. New bearings are inexpensive and quick to install.

Step 6: Check the drivetrain and electronics

• Open the receiver box and check for moisture inside. If there is any, leave it open to dry.
• Check the gearbox gears and the spur and pinion gears for dirt and sand.
• Clean the motor and check that it spins freely.
• Check screws and metal parts for rust. Replace rusty screws with new or rust-resistant screws.

Extra tips for winter driving

• Batteries: Cold LiPo batteries deliver less power. Keep them warm until just before driving, and never charge them below 0 °C. Read more in our article How to safely store and transport LiPo batteries.
• Tires: Rubber gets hard in the cold. A softer compound or a tire tread with large lugs provides more grip in the snow. Also see how to choose the right tires.
• Shock absorbers: Oil thickens in the cold, making your suspension respond more slowly. Slightly thinner oil may help.
• Motor: Snow can build up around the motor and gears. A gear cover helps limit this.

Conclusion

Fifteen minutes of maintenance after a wet drive can prevent costly repairs. Remove the battery, clean carefully, dry thoroughly, and protect the bearings: that's the basic routine. That way, you can keep driving all winter without your car suffering for it. Everything you need, from tools to bearings, is available in our webshop.