Best cleaner for a dirty truck?

[Daskraut]

I am shy to use heavy canned cleaners that may wash away grease in the bearings or damage electronics. What is safe to use?

 

[9x19]

Best? Probably one of those guys hanging out in front of Home Depot in the mornings...

Compressed air - water - compressed air - WD40 on/around the metal bits

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

I like to use simple green then hit it with compressed air. If its really dirty then I'll rinse it with the garden hose first but I generally try to avoid water when I can

 

[Littlemotor]

For that truck, a stiff bristled paint brush, and compressed air. Followed by silicone spray lubricant, then compressed air after 15min.

If it were crazy dirty, or neglected-or if you planned to replace bearings, then simple green, & a hose. Then compressed air, tear down, and replace bearings, re-grease ring & pinions, etc., then silicone spray lubricant, followed by compressed air after 15min.

I used to use simple green & WD40 from growing up motocross, but stopped that years ago. WD40 is a SOLVENT, and you want no solvent anywhere near greased bearings ever.

 

[RustyUs]

I am shy to use heavy canned cleaners that may wash away grease in the bearings or damage electronics. What is safe to use?

View attachment 252065

Was that sand that you were running in?
If not, then it's good to go.
Everybody has their own vision of what's dirty.
I'd just hit it with maybe a brush, and compressed air before putting it away until next run.
How to clean this dirty babe?'

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

WD40 is not your RC's friend. As someone else mentioned, it acts like a solvent but doesn't dissolve. The only cleaner I use is simple green and air. If that's not enough, it needs to be tore down.

 

[Tunedfrog]

Compressed air.

 

[Finesavageboy2]

You guys clean your RC's!?! when I'm done with em I just turn em upside down and shake really hard and put them in temporary storage.

 

[CertifiedMike]

For between runs... air compressor, brushes, microfiber... I try not to spray more stuff on.
Teardown, inspect and clean then with a toothbrush and soapy water for most plastics. It doesn't need to get complicated.


Citrus, NON-petroleum based hand cleaner from the hardware, auto parts store or Harbor Freight type places works great with a brush to get grease and oil off of parts too.
Some have abrasives in them. Consider that before you scratch up anything important.
I haven't had any problems yet.

I have blasted muck off with water before getting into detail cleaning but really try to avoid the electronics. The waterproof label doesn't always inspire confidence when you consider who profits if the label is wrong.

I keep brake-clean and petroleum based products away from RC unless its on metal parts. Even still I look for other options first.

Mother's Aluminum and Mag Wheel polish is AWESOME for polishing up your metal parts if you get so OCD as I do on a tear down. Good for shock shafts and such. Be careful if yours are coated tho.
It washes up easily enough with water too.

Do dirty trucks have pretty metal parts to polish???

 

[RetroThutmose]

Just send it till the dirt falls off. That's what I was taught

 

[HPIguy]

Nylon brush and an air compressor. Also, that's not even dirty, this is dirty. LOL

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Nylon brush and an air compressor. Also, that's not even dirty, this is dirty. LOL

Lol what the is that thing? Looks like a sick build

 

[HPIguy]

Lol what the is that thing? Looks like a sick build

It's just a Traxxas Stampede, or what's left of it. LOL Build thread is here.

Thread 'Project Octopede'

Jan 24, 2010

The close of last year marked 15 years in the hobby for me. Also, as some of you already know, I recently picked up a Traxxas Stampede VXL. I come from a long history of nitro cars and trucks, and was instantly taken with the instant torque on tap anytime, of the little brushless monster. Problem was, after tiring of ripping 40mph wheelies, I quickly realized the truck wasn't suited for much else in stock trim handling wise. It's not the trucks fault, it's mostly composed of plastic to keep costs down, and, plastic flexes. So I decided to do something about it. Partially because I've alway...

• HPIguy
• Replies: 62
• Forum: RC Builds and Projects

•