How to Customize RC Cars

Radio-controlled cars have been a popular hobby for children and grownups alike. Remote control racing events across the country have spurred huge growths when it comes to the aftermarket part manufacturing sales. Upgrade parts are available for professional-grade and entry-level RC cars to allow for customized looks. No matter if your RC vehicle is electric or nitro-powered, you may be able to give your vehicle a new and unique lease on life without spending a ton of money in the process.

Things You'll Need

• After-market body
• Permanent marker
• Decals
• Drill and drill bit set
• Sharp hobby knife
• Sandpaper assortment
• Lexan paint
• Aftermarket wheels and tires
• Small socket set or hex tool

Instructions

1. Install a new body for your RC vehicle, many online and local hobby stores offer clear Lexan body kits for different types and size RC vehicles. You will need to purchase a body style meant for your vehicles particular style for proper fitment; on road car bodies will only fit on road cars while buggy bodies will only fit buggy vehicles, etc.

2. Choose a paint color (or multiple paint colors) for your new body. You must only use paint that is meant for use with clear Lexan RC car bodies as typical enamel or acrylic paint will not adhere well to the special body material.

3. Remove the cotter pins that hold the original body on the chassis of the RC car, remove the body and set it to the side. Place the new clear body on your RC vehicle; align the body evenly between the bumpers and wheels. You will need to mark the positions of the body posts and antenna on the body with a permanent marker so you can drill the appropriate sized holes for the posts/antenna to go through.

4. Use a drill and an appropriate size drill bit to create the holes on the body for the body posts to go through (take the body off the vehicle before using the drill). Fit the body back on to the chassis and use your marker to trace out the wheel openings. Position and hold the marker on the wheel so that the tip touches the body, rotate the wheel so that a perfectly formed wheel well outline is traced with the marker on the body (perform this task on the remaining three wheels).

5. Take the body off the vehicle and use a hobby knife to cut out the wheel well openings. Use a medium grit sand paper to smooth any jagged cuts caused by the hobby knife. Apply painters tape to the inside of the windows to protect them from the painting process.

6. Shake the aerosol paint can for several minutes to thoroughly mix the paint. Carefully paint the inside of the body with your desired paint color. Allow the paint to dry for several hours before handling the body.

7. Remove the wheels from the chassis using an appropriate sized socket and screwdriver attachment or hex wrench provided with your vehicle (turn the nut on the center of the wheel counterclockwise). Slip off the tires from your old wheels and install them on your new wheels. Reinstall the new wheels on to the hubs of your RC vehicle.

8. Install the freshly painted body on your RC vehicle. Replace the cotter pins to secure the body to the posts.

References

• Easy RC: You Can Race an R/C Car or Truck!
• RC Cars Hub: http://www.rccarshub.com/custom-rc-cars.html