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HOT TIPS
Most of us have our own collections of tips we’ve discovered, either accidentally or intentionally, that have helped simplify repairs, improved appearance or boosted performance for our RC vehicles. In every issue of RC Driver we present ideas that have been submitted by readers who wanted to share their tips for the benefit of other hobbyists. Now those great ideas will be shared on RCdriver.com. Each week the list will be updated with tips from previous issues. If you have a tip that you want to share just email it to davidb@rcdriver.com with TIPS as the subject.
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This week's tip # 32 is on page 2. Click here.
2. Put a lid on it Rick Anderson
You’ll need to clean the air filter on your big block engine a little less frequently if you follow this tip. Drill a hole in the center of a lid from a small spray paint can and attach it to the filter as shown. Air can still flow to the carb; however, less dirt actually makes it to the filter.
4. Checking the MeshElmo George
If you use adjustable motor mounts on your Clod Buster, it's important to set the gear mesh properly. To do that you need to see it. To view the mesh and still keep dirt and debris from entering the gearbox, you'll want to cut a piece of lexan, or even a soda bottle, in the shape of the gear cover. Then you'll need to drill a large hole in the center of the gear cover and mount the two pieces back in place.
6. Tattoo TalesMike Seyer
If you would like a simple way to personalize your vehicle’s paint scheme, try temporary tattoos. You know—the kind that you stick on your body and wet the backing so it peels off. Mike Seyer discovered that these skin pics work well on Lexan bodies, too. Apply it to the inside of the car body the same way you would apply it to your skin. Then once it’s dried, you can paint right over it. You will likely need to use lighter paint colors since these tattoos are not completely opaque.
8. Equal Length LimitersSkippy
Proper use of shock limiters requires them to be of equal length all the way around. Use a block of wood and two nails to accomplish this uniformity easily. Determine the exact length you need the limiters to be and space the nails to that dimension. Wrap a section of picture hanging wire around one nail and twist it onto itself securely. Then do the same on the other end. Once you’ve done all four, dip each end of the limiters in PlastiDip to cover exposed wire ends and give the limiter a clean appearance.
10. Revive your old Allen keysSeth Crews
If you use the Allen wrenches that came with your kit, don't be fooled into thinking that you have stripped screws. It is more likely that your Allen wrench is rounded off. A cut-off wheel on your rotary tool will make your wrenches like new again.
12. Soldering penMatt Barackman
To make your solder a bit easier to manage, try this cool trick. Remove the ink tube from a ballpoint pen similar to the one shown here. Wrap the solder around it and then slide the coiled solder off the tube into the pen body. This provides a comfortable grip on the solder and allows you to feed only what you need through the tip.
14. Give your shocks the bootPat Hornberger
Find an empty soda bottle and some appropriate size party balloons and you’re 15 minutes from dressing up your shocks and protecting the shafts. First, drop a spring in the bottle. Second, attach a balloon over the bottle’s opening. Third, turn the bottle upside down and give it a squeeze. This will inflate the balloon and drop the spring inside. The final step is to trim the ends of the balloon, leaving enough to tuck up inside the spring. I’ve done this with metallic-looking party balloons and it looks great.
16. Give your pull-starter a liftDerek Dabrowska
Add a section of tubing to your pull-starter cord to raise the handle and make it easier to access.
18. Shock shrinkerSam Lawson
To reduce your shocks’ travel, install a section of tubing on the shaft inside the shock body.
20. Dental Detailing
Christian Beller
An inexpensive, battery-operated toothbrush makes a great detailing tool for tight crevices and stubborn dirt. Among other things, it makes easy work of cleaning wheel spokes and engine-head fins.
22. Choosing ColorsChance Maetone
If you only look at paint colors on the bottles or cans, choosing shades that work well together can be tricky. Hold pieces of paper or cloth in the colors you want under the body to get a better idea of how your idea will look. If you already have several paints on your bench, spray the colors onto white paper to check your options.
24. Benchtop Body ShopGarrett Wilson
Don’t let a little damage to your favorite body stop you from using it. Repair it with fiberglass tape and a generous helping of Shoe-Goo or a silicone sealant. Place the tape over the damaged area and coat it with Goo. When the Goo or sealant has fully cured, the body is ready for battle again.
1. Getting in shapeDan Dowdle
Tires that include a foam insert usually have it rolled up and stuffed into the center of the tire. When it is removed, it retains its distorted shape for quite a while. I’ve discovered that running it under hot water springs it back into shape in seconds. You can dry it with a hair dryer or let it air dry overnight.
3. Some like it hotJohan Peters
Soldering motor leads on your motor can be a painful experience. When the solder melts, your fingers usually do, too. Use a turnbuckle wrench such as Losi’s to hold the wire on the motor tab. Get the iron in between the legs of the wrench to get a good solder on it.
5. Receiver SwapJeremy Bartlett
Having more than one vehicle and only one good radio gets to be a pain when it comes to swapping out the receiver. Velcro is a simple solution. But if your one good radio happens to be using the new Spektrum module, you can simplify the process even more. The servo plugs are tight against each other when installed in the receiver. If you secure the three plugs together in a more permanent manner you can then plug them in as a single unit. No more fighting with tangled servo leads. If you're feeling brave you can CA glue the plugs together. Otherwise, small strips of electrical tape will do just fine as long as you use a single strip to secure two of the plugs together before including the third plug. Use tape that is narrow enough to avoid getting in the way of the receiver case.
7. Paint-on SealerPeter Vienneau
Liquid electrical tape is used to paint a protective coating to prevent a short circuit on wires that have been soldered together. This product also works well for sealing other areas of your vehicle such as receivers or servos that you want to protect from moisture or other unwanted contaminants.
9. Plug it upBryan Quinn
Nitro engines hate dirt. When you're cleaning your engine, you want to avoid getting dirt inside by covering or plugging all the necessary openings. To plug the fuel intake on the high-end needle, use a small section of fuel tubing with a screw inserted in one end. Make up a few like this to keep in your pit box.
11. Stop those rattlin' bonesTrevin Baker
Some dogbones have a tendency to rattle in the drive cups. Cut a small section of fuel tubing to put in each cup. This not only stops the rattling but it helps keep the bone from falling out during a hard hit.
13. Gasket in a tubeMatt Coil
If you’ve ever had to remove the header from your engine, you know that saving the gasket is next to impossible. Pick up a tube of Permatex® Ultra Copper® Hi-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Maker and you’ll never have to worry about not having a replacement. Works well for sealing the carb throat, too.
15. Two by fours for your 4 X 4Robert Bratcher
The most simple truck stand is made of two or three pieces of 2x4 lumber—each one about 20 inches in length. Nail, glue, or screw them on top of one another. For a non-slip surface, you can use spray adhesive to attach a section from a foam rubber drawer liner to the top surface.
17. Dogbone rattle relieverTJ Alfera
A small piece of tubing inside your car’s drive cups keeps your dogbones quiet and secure.
19. Shell shocksDavid Coen
Cut a sliver of tubing to stretch over your body posts and act as mini shock absorbers. They will keep the body solidly in place.
21. Dogbone Pin ProtectionPreston Fuller
The pin that holds a CV-joint-style axle’s pieces together is itself secured by a setscrew. If the screw works itself loose, the pin will fall out, and you won’t be driving for a while. To avoid losing the pin, put a short piece of shrink tubing of the appropriate size over the entire joint.
23. Easy-to-Adjust Body HeightDavid Brodt
Some body posts are secured with screws, and this works well unless you occasionally want to alter the body’s height. To make adjustments quickly, replace the screw with a body clip. If you need a larger clip than you have on hand, you’ll find them in various sizes at home-supply centers. They are sometimes referred to as “R-clips.”
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