Your runner cleaning techniques w/o disassembling

[Coelacanth]

I thought it would be interesting to hear people's various techniques on how they clean their runners--without major disassembly & rebuilding, that is. What cleaning materials do you use? What saves time and keeps the parts looking good and avoiding corrosion/oxidation? For all of us with vintage runners that we've probably completely rebuilt from the ground up, we want to drive 'em but also keep 'em clean.

I personally use hot water & dish soap (like Dawn) and a paintbrush or toothbrush to remove the coated-on dust & dirt. However, I wonder if there's something better that won't risk water getting into bearings and causing rust, for example. I'm interested to hear of any other techniques that are more effective and time-saving.

[Twin Detonator]

I used to use motor spray back in the day when I raced RC10's and I use it now on our Tamiya trucks when we get done dirty bashing and it works great.
I don't remember any ill effects on the cars back then, I would try it on a beater now to see how it worked if it is one you restored.
I just spray it on, brush the dirt and crap off, spray on some more to wash it off, wipe it down. Then oil bearings etc.
Lynn

[Eau Rouge]

Without disassembling, I have only ever blown the cars off with compressed air. If there is dirt on the car that can't be removed via air, then it gets disassembled. I would never hose it down with a liquid and wipe it down unless it was a nitro car and I had water-proofed everything.

Then again, I have never owned any R/C car that was a toy or a "basher," so I took care of my race vehicles by tearing them down and inspecting all of the parts for wear, bends or breakage.

Dousing a R/C car in water or cleaner sounds like a good way to create rust and corrosion, if not ruin any bearings that might be in the car (or at the minimum removing any lube that was on them).

[Twin Detonator]

I see what you saying about cleaning with liquids. But this stuff is made for doing it safely, and is exactly what we use with what have been doing.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?I=LXSEL1&P=8
You can hose down a ESC and receiver with it and you won't have a problem with it.
I have used this similar product back in the day when I raced and is what our local R/C shops and race tracks use and sell to customers to keep their cars clean.
It is also important that you oil any and all bearings and moving surfaces when done.
Lynn

[GJW]

i treat my runner electrics like my gas cars and nothing has missed a beat! i take the electronics out of the cars and give them a light clean(no water) then degrease the entire car and hose it off, finally spray the entire car with rp7/wd40 and hang the in the sun for the day! nothing has ever rusted, i clean the sealed bearing's every 2nd time(pull off shields) the ball end's and hinge etc etc are nice and tight still after many many months of use! really depends on the type of car of coarse(budget jrx2) exposed diff 4wd's obviously not.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Without disassembling, I have only ever blown the cars off with compressed air.

x2

Harbor Freight runs this compressor on sale for $39.99(don't pay $59.99) about once a month. Compressor, rag and paintbrush will keep most cars looking great w/o dis assembly for a year at a time. I do use a garden hose under extreme circumstances, but you have to be very quick with dis assembly and oil.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

[LTO_Dave]

I use compressed air to clean my crawler and RC10 runner. I also use a toothbrush for the heavier dirt.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Technically we use decompressed air to clean our cars because the second it leaves that chamber it is no longer compressed...

Sorry, just taking a break.

[Coelacanth]

Without disassembling, I have only ever blown the cars off with compressed air.

x2

Harbor Freight runs this compressor on sale for $39.99(don't pay $59.99) about once a month. Compressor, rag and paintbrush will keep most cars looking great w/o dis assembly for a year at a time. I do use a garden hose under extreme circumstances, but you have to be very quick with dis assembly and oil.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

That looks like a great little unit...I've been thinking of adding a compressor to my toolbox so-to-speak, I wouldn't need a big one either. Someday an airbrush too...would this compressor be suitable for airbrush use?

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

...would this compressor be suitable for airbrush use?

I think so, but I'm not sure how well. I'm curious myself as to whether it would be good for an airbrush. I don't paint quite enough bodies to need one, or at least I thought . I think I'm close to $100 in rattle cans this year though. At $6-7 a pop it doesn't take long...

[Lowgear]

Who here has ever put R/C parts in the dishwasher before? *Raises hand*

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Who here has ever put R/C parts in the dishwasher before? *Raises hand*

Bowling is another interest of mine(I seem to like any sport that you can drink while playing)and I put my bowling ball in the dishwasher once a year or so. The heat draws the oil out of the resin.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Without disassembling, I have only ever blown the cars off with compressed air.

x2

Harbor Freight runs this compressor on sale for $39.99(don't pay $59.99) about once a month. Compressor, rag and paintbrush will keep most cars looking great w/o dis assembly for a year at a time. I do use a garden hose under extreme circumstances, but you have to be very quick with dis assembly and oil.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

That looks like a great little unit...I've been thinking of adding a compressor to my toolbox so-to-speak, I wouldn't need a big one either. Someday an airbrush too...would this compressor be suitable for airbrush use?

So can anyone say if this is decent for an airbrush? Sorry for the bump, but I think it got lost in the mix and I'd really like to know without starting a new thread or sending a pm. It says it will, but is it any good?

[klavy69]

Who here has ever put R/C parts in the dishwasher before? *Raises hand*

X2

[scr8p]

Who here has ever put R/C parts in the dishwasher before? *Raises hand*

my wife is the dishwasher. she won't clean my cars.