Home >> Toys >> Toy Vehicles

How to Construct an RC Toy Car

Building radio control cars, known as RC cars, is a time-tested family tradition. In fact, you can assign kids tasks to complete to make sure everyone has a chance to construct a piece of the car. Once the project is done, you can take it outside and race it around the neighborhood to show off your hard work.

Things You'll Need

Electric car kit
Screwdriver
Liquid thread lock
Rubber foam
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase an electric RC kit that includes body, electric engine, chassis, remote and receiver. Unpack the kit on a clean workspace separating out screws and nuts into small bowls matching like sized items.
- 2
  Start the assembly of the chassis and adjoining parts following all included instructions. Screw down all joining parts tightly. Take care not to use too much force so as to not strip the threads. For screws that fit tightly or will not thread smoothly, apply a small amount of soap to the area and screw threads. Soaping stubborn screws will help with tightening without the danger of using too much force.
- 3
  Locate and grease all parts that spin, rotate, pivot and turn. Grease lightly as too much can cause build up and lower performance in power. Using a lighter oil-based lubricant like WD-40 makes for a good alternative to heavier grease. The lighter oil will allow parts to operate smoothly longer without the mess and buildup.
- 4
  Locate a proper spot to mount the receiver box to the chassis. This location should be away from fast moving gears, the engine and areas that heat up. Tightly secure the receiver box to the chassis. Fill in the box and gaps around the connection with foam rubber to help with heavy vibration. Receivers are prone to interference when around other electric sources like engines. They're also prone to interference when put through extreme amounts of vibration.
- 5
  Wash all body parts with warm, soapy water before painting. Dry off with lint-free cloth completely. Plan out the paint job you will be applying. Apply the base color first, then build up the accents. Tape off areas with painter's tape to prevent paint in spots or to make sharp lines like racing stripes. Allow all paint to dry before finishing the assembly.
- 6
  Finish the build by attaching all parts to the chassis tightly. Cover with the body and screw into place. Double check all wiring and connections. Insert the battery pack and test the electronics, making sure the receiver is responding to the remote quickly and correctly. Take the RC toy car out to a flat smooth road and test its performance and handling, making note of any tweaking you may need to make later down the line.

Toy Vehicles