Last updated on April 13th, 2026 at 12:17 am
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The easiest way to make RC tires smoke is to use a smoke generator, because real burnout-style tire smoke is hard to pull off and usually beats up the tires. If you want a true burnout, people also try suntan lotion, oil, or bleach, but those methods are hit-or-miss and can wear out the tires fast.
The best results usually come from a smooth concrete surface and a car that can be held still against something solid. You will also get better results if you know which tires are driven, how much traction your surface gives you, and how much abuse your electronics can take.
That is the trade-off with this trick: the cool part is the smoke, but the price can be shredded tires, a stressed motor, or a tired battery. If you just want the look without the damage, the smoke-generator route is the cleanest option.
What you need before you start
If your tires are already worn, it helps to know the basics of tire setup and maintenance before you start. A burnout can destroy a soft or old tire very quickly, so it is better to begin with something you are willing to sacrifice.
- An RC car or truck
- A smooth surface, with concrete working better than rough dirt or grass
- A heavy object, block, or other solid stop if you are doing a real burnout
- One of the reported burnout materials: thick suntan lotion, oil-based fluid, or bleach
- Or an RC smoke generator if you want the smoke look without chewing up the tires
- Eye protection and a little common sense around chemicals and spinning wheels
Step-by-step: how to make RC tires smoke
- Pick the method first. If you want the safest-looking option, use a smoke generator. If you want the tire itself to smoke, choose lotion, oil, or bleach.
- Set the RC car against something solid if you are trying a real burnout. Weights, blocks, and other heavy stops work better than something light. A curb can work sometimes, but it is easy for the car to hop over it.
- Apply the material to the driven tires. On a 4WD vehicle, that means all four tires. On a 2WD vehicle, only the driven tires can do the work.
- Hold the car still and give it a short burst of throttle. A smooth concrete surface gives you the best chance of seeing smoke.
- Stop as soon as smoke starts showing. If you keep going, you are mostly just burning up tires and putting extra load on the motor and battery.
- If you are using a smoke generator, mount it according to the unit’s instructions, fill it with the proper smoke liquid, and run the car with the generator on. It will not be a real tire burnout, but it can look the part.
Burnouts chew through tires fast and can stress the pack too, so RC battery life habits matter if you do this often.
Methods people actually use
| Method | How it looks | Wear on tires | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suntan lotion | Can produce some smoke on the right surface | High | Does not work well on every RC car |
| Oil or transmission fluid | Usually gives darker-looking smoke | High | Messy and hard on tires |
| Bleach | Can work on smooth concrete | High | Rough on the tire and needs careful handling |
| Smoke generator | Looks like a burnout without relying on the tire itself | Low | It is a visual effect, not a true burnout |
Suntan lotion
Thicker suntan lotion tends to work better for this trick. It is one of the first things people try because most homes already have some sitting around, and it can be enough to get a little smoke depending on the car and the surface.
Oil
Oil or any oil-based product can work too. People have reported success with transmission fluid and normal engine oil, and the smoke often looks darker than the other methods because oil burns with a darker color.
Bleach
Bleach is another reported method, especially on smooth concrete. It may work on one RC car and fail on another, so it is more of a test-and-see option than a sure thing. Use caution with your hands, eyes, and the surface you are running on.
Smoke generator
A smoke generator is the easiest way to get the look without sacrificing the tires. It connects to the car’s motor or electronics and uses oil-based smoke liquid to create the effect. If you plan to use a smoke maker often, solid battery setup and maintenance helps keep the car reliable.
This is not a real tire smoke burnout, but it looks close enough for most hobbyists and saves the tires, motor, and other electronics from the abuse.
Common mistakes
- Using too much throttle for too long and shredding the tires before smoke shows up
- Not holding the car against something solid, which lets it jump forward instead of staying planted
- Using a rough or slippery surface that does not help the tires heat up evenly
- Trying the same method on every RC car and expecting the same result
- Forgetting that smoke generators are for the look, not a real tire burnout
- Running a burnout too long and stressing the motor or battery for no real payoff
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No smoke at all | The material is not right for the tire or the surface is not helping | Try a thicker lotion, a different oil-based product, or a smoother surface |
| The car just moves forward | It is not braced firmly enough | Use a heavier stop and make sure the car cannot hop over it |
| Tires tear up fast but barely smoke | Too much throttle, too long of a run, or a poor surface | Use shorter bursts and stop sooner |
| Smoke looks weak or uneven | The material is uneven on the tires | Apply it more evenly to every driven tire |
| Smoke generator does not look right | Fill level, mounting, or setup issue | Check the unit, the liquid, and the instructions for that generator |
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to make RC tires smoke?
A smoke generator is the easiest and safest-looking option. It gives you the burnout effect without destroying the tires in the process.
Will suntan lotion really make RC tires smoke?
Sometimes, yes. Thicker lotion tends to work better, but it will not work on every RC car or every surface.
Does oil make better smoke than lotion?
Oil usually gives a darker-looking smoke, which makes it look closer to a normal burnout. It is also messier and harder on the tires.
Can bleach work for an RC burnout?
Some hobbyists have had success with bleach on smooth concrete. It is still a rough method, so use caution and do not expect it to work the same way on every vehicle.
Will a real burnout damage my RC car?
Yes, it can. A real burnout can shorten tire life fast and may also put extra stress on the motor, battery, and electronics.
If you want the look and do not want to chew through tires, the smoke-generator route is the one to try first. If you just want to experiment, keep the runs short, stay on a smooth surface, and stop as soon as you get the effect you want.