Radio-controlled gadgets have quickly taken hobby-enthusiasts by storm, and that’s for some very good reasons. The fact that you can build your own remote control cars can be a lovely opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your family and entertain your kids in a unique way.
Radio-controlled devices are miniature versions of vehicles like trucks or cars that you can control from a distance with the help of transmitters or remote-controls. They can be powered by rechargeable batteries or electric motors. Some premium models are even fuel-powered.
If you opt for an RC car that’s powered by rechargeable batteries, I would recommend going for a lithium-polymer battery instead of the nickel-cadmium one. This is because nickel-cadmium batteries can slow down the radio-controlled vehicle once you give your battery a full charge.
Lithium-polymer batteries tend to be more compact and lightweight, providing a smoother experience. Another good thing about these batteries is that they have high voltages and capacities and are very affordable.
Generally, there are two types of radio-controlled cars.
Ready-To-Run
Ready-to-run RC cars can be used right off the bat. They are a great idea if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands and want to get on with the driving. You can also go for this option if you’re not really into assembling. If you decide to invest in a ready-to-run model, check whether it comes with a battery and charger or you’ll need to buy them separately.
Kits
If you’re interested in what it’s like to build a remote control car, or if you want to dive deeper into the hobby buying an RC kit is your best bet. This way, you will get to build your car from scratch and many models even come with paint for you to paint the exterior.
This entire process can be very thrilling and fulfilling so you might want to give it a try. Just make sure to check whether the kit includes the tires you need, the body, paint, the electric components as well as the tools needed to complete the assembly. If you’re a beginner who’s looking to build a remote control car for the first time, gathering all the tools you’ll need for the job can be time-consuming, so your smartest bet is opting for an RC build kit.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is important if you want to keep your ride in mint condition for a long time.
Many people love off-roading with their RC vehicles. Off-roading is driving on unsurfaced tracks or roads. Riverbeds, mud, snow, sand, and pretty much any other natural type of terrain is ideal for this kind of adventuring. Properly maintaining your vehicle is important if you want it to perform well. Regularly check for any loose screws that you can tighten as this is a common occurrence when off-roading. Make sure that you have the proper screwdriver to tighten the screws so that you can avoid potential problems.
After each off-roading session, clean your vehicle. You can do this by investing in some compressed air, which will help you get rid of any debris that’s accumulated on its surface. Brushing your RC car with a soft bristle brush is a more affordable option if you don’t want to constantly buy new cans of compressed air. The brush can also help you get into all the nooks and crannies of your build.
If you want to clean it more thoroughly, get some soapy water and a cotton or polyester cloth to clean the exterior of your ride and make it glowing. If there’s a lot of dirt that’s accumulated on the inside of the car, get a toothbrush and a mild detergent and try to get it off. Once you’re finished with everything, get a different damp cloth and wipe the exterior to finish the entire process.
Not a lot of people talk about tire maintenance, which is why I wanted to give you some tips on that as well. Before cleaning the tires, make sure to remove any bigger pieces of debris and hay or grass that have accumulated while off-roading. Hay can be dangerous because it gets stuck in the rims which can potentially damage the bearing. My advice for this is to completely remove the tires from the gadget and to look for any hay, grass, or loose screws to make sure everything is okay.
Once you’re done with all the cleaning, check if you’ve left any loose screws. Even though all of this sounds very complicated and time-consuming, once you get the hang of it you should be done with it all in around thirty minutes, depending on the model of radio-controlled car that you have.
