Hot Remote Control Vehicles How-Tos « Remote Control Vehicles

How To: Remove and install tires on a remote controlled car

If you call yourself a hobbyist or a kid at heart, you know that remote-controlled vehicles are more than just fun. If you're a serious R/C man, you'll know all about doing everything to your model truck or car, like fixing wheels, vamping the pinion gears, waterproofing, troubleshooting, electronic diagnostics, setting up, programming and finally... racing. As much as you know about these remote-controlled vehicles, it will never be enough, you'll always be looking for more...

How To: Tune a Nitro Engine / Tyrannosaurus 4WD Nitro RC Truck

Do you want maximum performance for your TRex 4WD Nitro RC truck? This tutorial details the steps to tuning your Nitro engine, as well as the specific mechanics and inner workings of the Nitro Engine of Tyrannosaurus 4WD Nitro RC Truck.

How To: Make a great RC jump ramp from a box

The video demonstrates how to make a great RC jump ramp free of cost. Firstly for this you have to note that you must learn to control your RC in the air because wrong landings after high jumps can cause severe damage to your RC.To make a great ramp for jumping first take a box, a small box is taken here. The same can be done on a bigger box. Then opening the box cut the lateral upsides of the box. After that just put it down and put a tape at the place it touches the box. A curve as you desi...

How To: Clean the transmission on a Traxxas Rustler, Stampede Bandit, or Slash

If you own a Traxxas Rustler, Stampede Bandit, or Slash RC vehicle, then this next tutorial may be for you. In the tutorial, you'll be finding out how to clean the transmission to your machine. Just like a car, keeping your RC vehicle in tip top shape is important for ensuring that your machine will last for a very long time. So if you need help with cleaning out your transmission, check out the tutorial above and good luck!

How To: Stop a nitro engine on a remote control car

RC Car Action Magazine Editor Kevin shows you how to stop a nitro engine. Just bump the flywheel with a screwdriver or pinch the fuel line. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to stop a nitro engine on an RC vehicle.

How To: Fix the counterclockwise rotation on an RC mosquito

This is an easy way to fix your Micro Mosquito from spinning out of control. This fix is for fixing counterclockwise over rotation. Watch this hobby how-to video and learn how to repair the counterclockwise rotation on a mosquito remote control helicopter.

How To: Jump RC monster trucks

RC Car Action Editor Matt Higgins show you how to properly jump your R/C vehicle. To prevent nose diving, use the throttle, or brakes to prevent a nose up too high. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to jump any remote control vehicle.

How To: Paint carbon fiber material the easy way

If you're a fan of remote control vehicles or plan on taking up the hobby, you'll need to know some tricks and tips. From putting together the tires for your vehicle to properly painting certain parts of the car.

How To: Control tail spin on a PicooZ mini helicopter

To begin in controlling the tail spin on your helicopter you need to turn your helicopter on and then turn the controller on. On your controller there are two trim bars. If it begins spinning to the left, tap the right trim; likewise, if it begins spinning too much to the right, tap the left trim. Unfortunately there is no memory in the PicooZ helicopter, so every time you turn on the helicopter you have to trim it. In the example video the helicopter needed to have the trim bar pressed 12 ti...

How To: Replace a broken axel on your Volcano SV 4WD truck

In this how-to video, you will learn how to replace a broken axle on a Volcano SV. First, take off the wheel. Next, remove the axle piece out with a hex wrench. To get it entirely out, use your hex wrench to move out the long screws. Make sure you take them out at about the same time, or you will break one of the screws. You can remove the screw to free the upper suspension arm. This will make it easier to remove the broken axle. Next, replace it with a new axle. Clean the axle before making ...

How To: Modify a glow plug wrench for an RC vehicle

Learn how to modify your glow plug wrench so you don't lose your part. Most nitro engine RC vehicles come with a glow plug wrench, but they fall apart so easily. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to modify a glow plug wrench so the individual pieces don't get lost. You will need pliers, shoe glue, and the glow plug wrench.

How To: Lock a diff on a rock crawler RC vehicle

This video tutorial shows how to lock a diff on a rock crawler. Just a little bit of epoxy glue will weld the diff into place. Watch and learn how to fix a diff on a rock crawler RC vehicle into a permanent position.

How To: Fit an onboard camera to your RC car

First buy a cheap rc buggy, then a cheap wireless camera and receiver off ebay. Then buy a usb TV box and plug it into your laptop. Connect receiver to tv box. Tape camera to car. Switch everything on and drive! My other camera has packed up and I can't see anything through the viewfinder or screen. That's why the filming is so bad.

How To: Easily install and remove body clips on an RC vehicle

RC Car Action Magazine Editor Matt Higgins gives us a tip about body clips. Body clips can be difficult to grab. Watch this video tutorial and learn a trick for how to easily install and remove body clips.

How To: Use fiberglass finish over balsa wood for RC airplanes

Check out this five-part video tutorial on how to use fiberglass finish over balsa wood for RC airplanes. If you like building engines and bodies for remote-controlled vehicles (airplanes), then this will definitely help you out, just by learning how to apply simple fiberglass to the balsa wood parts of the RC airplane body. You will learn all of the tricks needed for fiberglassing.

How To: Fix a loose transmitter antenna on an RC vehicle

This instructional video demonstrates how to fix a transmitter antenna that won't tighten. To do this you will have to take apart your remote control radio. Luckily, this is not as difficult as it may seem.

How To: Fix common rock crawling problems on an RC vehicle

RC Car Action Magazine Editor Matt Higgins shows how to fix common rock crawling problems such as body repair and a spun hex. Taking a remote control vehicle off road can often result in some damage, like a cracked body or a spun hex. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to fix common rock crawling problems on an RC vehicle.

How To: Solder wires to your rc car motor

In this tutorial, we learn how to solder wires to your rc car motor. First, you will put the flux on the out wires. Put a small amount on, but make sure it's evenly coated all around. After this, do the same process for the motor tabs. Then, tin the wire and then wipe off with a damp sponge. From here you will do the same thing for the motor tabs, taking the back off the motor tabs to make it easier to move around. After this, put the wire on top of the tab and pres with the iron. Now you sho...

How To: Deal with a flooded Nitro engine on an RC vehicle

Alishan Mao describes how to fix a flooded Nitro Engine on an RC car, remove the excess fuel, and start the engine. Flooding of the engine can occur when priming the engine. If you prime the engine too much, the engine can get flooded, making it difficult to pull the pull start. A simple way to fix this is to remove the glow plug. Cover the top of the engine with cloth or rag and hold it there so that the fuel does not splash all over the place. Pull the pull start several times. The fuel wil...

How To: Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

I decided to make a quick banner for my RC plane. It was basically free, but you might need to get a few materials if you don't have them. My plane is a Hobbyzone Champ, which is a hardy but tiny plane, weighing only 1.3 ounces with the battery. My how-to is modeled after this, which is intended for the Super Cub. It is the bigger version of the Champ, weighing a total of 25.2 ounces, which is more than 18 times the weight of Champ. As you can see, I was faced with a problem. How was I going ...

How To: Tune a RC nitro Engine

In this video, we learn how to tune an RC nitro engine. First, you will need to adjust your needles. Make sure you know which way to go as you are adjusting them. After this, you need to find your high speed needle and find where you will hook up your fuel line. Lean the motor by turning a screwdriver into the barrel. This will screw your needle in and make the engine restricted to fuel flow. Now you will want to test out your engine to see how much lean you are getting. Make sure it's oiled ...

How To: Adjust and align the brakes on a Nitro RC car

In this tutorial, we learn how to adjust and align the brakes on a Nitro RC car. It's very important to adjust and align your brakes so your RC car stays in top shape and doesn't get ruined while you are using it. Take the caliper out and see what the strength of it is, if it needs to be tightened, tighten it on both sides. Make sure everything is hooked up to a radio, then look to see if everything is reacting in correct order. When you pull the throttle back, everything should be moving in ...

How To: Paint a water drop effect on your RC cars

In this tutorial, we learn how to paint a water drop effect on your RC cars. This is very easy to do but very easy to mess up as well. Make sure you are careful while you are doing this so results come out well. First, grab your color change paint and spray a coat of it on the car. Let this dry, then grab a spray bottle of water and spray water onto the paint on all sides at different times. Then, take your paint and put a light spray over it. Once finished, let dry and do a heavier coat (aro...

How To: Install a 2-speed differential gear box in a RC buggy

In this how-to video, you will learn how to put back a 2 speed central gearbox in your RC vehicle. Take the time to clean your car. Remember that the shorter dog bone goes to the rear and the longer one goes to the front. Slide the dog bone in and make sure that it spins the wheels. Now, raise the dog bones and slide them into the drive cuffs of the central transmission. Once this is done, check by moving the tires to see if the gears are moving. Make sure the box fits into the place provided...

How To: Program a Traxxas R/C electronic speed control

If you're fond of remote-controlled vehicles, you might appreciate this video tutorial on how to program a Traxxas electronic speed control. The Traxxas R/C ESC models you will learn to program are the XL-5, XL-10, EVX-2 and VXL-3S. They all have a single push button to turn on and off the ESC and program it. To get the most out of your Traxxas RC vehicle, learn to set up the programming by calibrating the electronic speed control, transmitter, throttle profile selection.

How To: Use thread lock on wheel nuts for a remote control car

RC Car Action Magazine Editor Kevin Hetmanski shows you how to put thread lock on your wheel nuts. Thread lock will keep the nut from loosening. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to secure nuts with thread lock on a remote control car.

How To: Prepare a RC helicopter body for paint

Radio Control Helicopter Magazine Editor Klaus Ronge shows how to get a helicopter body ready for paint. Paint will add a personalized touch to the remote control helicopter, but does take some prep work. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to get an RC helicopter body ready for paint.

How To: Align the steering servo on a remote-control (RC) car

Need help figuring out how to align the steering servo on your remote-control car? It's easy once you know how. So easy, in fact, that this hobbyest's how-to can present a thorough, step-by-step overview of the process in just over three minutes' time. For specifics, and to get started adjusting the steering servo on your own RC car, watch this helpful video guide.

How To: Paint a lightning effect on your RC cars

Find your RC cars dull? Want them to look even better than you could dream with a nice shocking effect that will have your friends in amazement? Well you can with this guide on painting lightning effect on your RC Car

How To: Start a nitro engine

This video shows the basic steps to starting a cold RC nitro engine. • Remove the body cover of the RC car, exposing the engine.

How To: Build an EPP foam RC airplane

Watch this instructional model making video to begin building an RC airplane out of EPP foam. You may need to use your own set of instructions to complete this model, but the visual guidelines provide helpful tips for making a smooth, aerodynamic foam airplane.

How To: Remove nitro fuel from the tank of an RC vehicle

Kevin Hetmanski shows you how to remove fuel from your tank the right way. Fuel is highly flammable, and if not fully removed can gum up the fuel system. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to remove the nitro fuel from the tank of an RC vehicle the right way.

How To: Put after run oil in a nitro engine of an RC vehicle

RC Car Action Magazine Editor Kevin Hetmanski shows you how to put after run oil in your nitro engine. Lubrication is essential to keep the parts working optimally and prevent rusting. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to put after run oil in a nitro engine of an RC vehicle.

How To: Remove and install clutch shoes in an RC vehicle

RC Car Action Magazine Edito Paul Onorato demonstrates how to remove and install clutch shoes using a DuraTrax clutch shoe tool. The clutch show tool makes the clutch easy to install and remove. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to use the clutch shoe tool on a remote control vehicle.

How To: Remove a clutch nut and flywheel from a nitro engine

Paul Onorato, senior editor of Radio Control Car Action magazine shows you how to remove a clutch nut and flywheel from a nitro engine. It's difficult because a wrench spins and pliers can pinch. Watch this video tutorial and learn an easy way to remove a clutch nut and flywheel from a nitro engine on an RC engine.

How To: Repair a nitro pull start on your RC vehicle

See how to repair a nitro pull start for your RC (radio controlled) vehicle. You'll need it if you want to be a racer, especially if you don't know how to drive a real vehicle.

How To: Paint a radio controlled vehicle shell

This video will walk you through the beginning to end on painting a RC (radio controlled) vehicle shell. Everything that you need to know on how to paint a shell is on here, from shaker cans (spray paint) to airbrushes. I use a Iwata by the way and a harbor freight air compressor. The paint used in this is Pactra silver and black. The airbrush paint is Spaz Stix candy apple green, blue, dark blue, and white. The lightning effect came out pretty well in my opinion, but you be the judge.

How To: Make your own RC airplane

Watch this visual guide on how to build an radio controlled airplane.

How To: Start a gas powered RC plane easily

When getting into RC planes the hardest part is actually putting together the plane itself. But don't just pull the cord to try to start the engine, there are a few steps that you will need to go through first. In this video you will get a full walkthrough of how to prep the plane and then how to actually start a small gas powered RC motor.

How To: Waterproof a remote control car to keep it safe

It's always handy to waterproof your RC car because your toy car is going to tread in a lot of dirty - and sometimes wet - ground. This means that any electric circuitry faces the risk of coming in contact with water and fizzing out.