Can RC Cars Get Wet?

RC cars or radio-controlled cars are basically any miniature models of trucks or cars. By using a specialized remote or a transmitter, these vehicles can be controlled easily from a distance. It is quite obvious that if we drive these electric cars in wet conditions, they will definitely get wet. 

Therefore, before taking your car out during any rain/snow or driving it on any wet terrain, you must be assured that the electric parts of the car are 100% waterproof. The other parts like the plastic frame, rubber tires, etc. don’t need to be made waterproof. It should always be noted that driving under wet conditions always requires careful maintenance after driving as well as proper preparations. 

RC cars can get wet as long as they have waterproof electronics. Not all RC cars have waterproof electronics so make sure that your RC car does before you take it into any wet conditions. It is also important to remember that just because some of the RC car’s electronics are waterproofed doesn’t mean that you should submerge your RC car. Submerging your RC car is something you should never do unless you have completely waterproofed the entire vehicle. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the things that you can do to help protect the electrical parts of your car and to do proper maintenance after driving through water. 

We all know how much importance is given to waterproofing especially in the industries involved in making electrical components. This is mainly because electricity and water do not work well together at all. Water being a good conductor of electricity can literally speed up the overall oxidation on any contact surface. 

That is why it is always recommended not to get the electrical components of any device wet even if you are reassured that they are waterproof. 

How to waterproof your RC vehicle’s electrical component. 

By using a balloon

This is considered to be one of the most traditional ways of protecting your car’s receivers and ESCs. In this method, the objects are put in a balloon in such a way that its cables are at the mouth of the balloon. Then, by using electrical tape or via a zip tie, one can shut the balloon’s mouth properly thereby, waterproofing the cables.

Use of Rubber paints

This is a very effective way of waterproofing your RC car. When rubber paints were first introduced in the market, there was a huge hype among the RC hobbyists. They demanded large quantities of it in order to waterproof the electrical components of the various self-designed RC cars. Using rubber paints, one can easily waterproof the servo, the ESC, the receiver etc. If your application of rubber paint has become old, then you can also replace it very easily.

This is one of the best points of using rubber paints. One can easily remove the paint by peeling it off and then you can easily repaint it. This, in turn, does not cause any damage to the electrical parts. It is always advisable to plug up the spots where generally you don’t intend to apply rubber paint. In order to ensure an easy application, one can directly dip the objects in a container that is full of rubber paint.

Taping 

Most electrical engineers use this method in order to aid quick insulation. The simple rectangular components of your RC cars, for example, the receivers, can also be waterproofed by covering it with insulation tape. In this method, always try to tape every electrical component and ensure that the cables are not left out either.

Try to protect the servo from the splashing

Another method by which you can waterproof your car’s electrical components is by the application of a waterproof vaseline on the respective servo gears. This must be applied on the gears below their top case. If the case comes pre-equipped with a top-frame-bottom, then its waterproofing can be improved or done by opening the whole case.

This, in turn, gives you easy access to apply and spread a bit of Vaseline. It must be noted that the Vaseline must be applied on the rubber seal towards the junction of the joint. You can also re-tighten it. After you are done applying Vaseline, tighten it and wipe off any excess Vaseline from the surface. You can also go for applying greased O-ring on the axle of the servo. This must be done before you install the servo. 

Waterproof your RC car

There are ways that you can waterproof your entire RC car so you don’t ever have to worry about driving it in wet conditions again. The way to do that is quite difficult and isn’t something that most people need or should even try. 

Rather than give you all of the written directions on how to waterproof your entire RC car you can just watch the video below to learn how to do it. 

Proper before and after maintenance

Before driving, you must make sure that your bearings are protected with the application of bearing oil. You can also use WD-40 oil for the other metal parts.

After driving, make sure that you get rid of all of the dirt and dust that might be on the car. Also, after bringing it inside, make sure that your car is dried off entirely. You will want to do this as fast as possible. 

For drying, you can use the help of a brush and compressed air. This will do both i.e dry your car as well as get rid of any kind of dust particles that might still be on it after you used it. After this, take your car to a place which is pretty warm. When you are assured that the car has 100% dried, you should start oiling its bearings. Also, rub the WD-40 oil on all of its metal parts. 

Now, you are ready to store your car until you are ready to take it out the next time. It is vital that you get all of the water and dirt off of your RC car after each use as it will corrode overtime if the moisture is not removed. 

Special note to keep in mind

It must be noted that driving your car in wet conditions can bring about several possible damages. It can wear out its bearings and this damage can increase at an exponential rate when you are going through water. This, in turn, would require special maintenance and even repair. Therefore, although your RC car can be driven in wet conditions  we do not recommend driving under such conditions if at all possible. 

If you really want to, then you must be prepared to do all of the required maintenance before and after driving your car. The same thing applies to all electrical components. It has been found that even though some electrical components are made waterproof, water does tend to leak and get in touch with the other components of your car. 

This may result in an overall short-circuit. This can also heat up the ESCs of your RC car while you drive. Also, the condensed water tends to cause several malfunctions and in most of the cases, can worsen the damage caused to your car.

Conclusion

RC cars can get wet without causing too many issues as long as the exposed electronic components are waterproof. However, just because you have some parts that are waterproof that doesn’t mean that you should drive your car into the lake. 

There are many parts of your car that are not waterproof and the water could certainly get into them and cause permanent damage if you aren’t careful. If you do choose to drive your car in the rain, snow, or wet terrain you will want to make sure to clean up the car afterwards and properly dry it out to ensure that the moisture doesn’t cause long term damage.