If there's one thing that I don't enjoy about Gas powered RC Cars it's the dirt. While I love to strip the RC car down and check that all the important parts are still intact and in good working order, the way these glow RC cars attract dirt is crazy. Even after only a couple of hours it'll be filthy.

One product that is an absolute must for any avid Nitro RC Owner is a plastic friendly oil and grease cleaner. these are generally citrus based and will just melt the dirt away after a good day at the track. Just spray it on, using the pressure to blast most of the dirt off, then let it dry. After about 5 minutes you'll be able to brush the dirt off with an old paint brush.

It's important to remove as much dirt as possible, dirt not only will upset your wife, but it will also prevent the car from getting the cooling it needs as well as putting unnecessary strain on and of the parts. You should check the wheels, gearbox and other moving parts are not restricted in anyway by dirt or tiny stones. These can jam up the running gear or drive train, which can be very bad if your at max RPM...

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Remove the Engine, Strip it down and check for problems
2. Remove the Electronics, checking for damage from heat or impacts
3. Check that all screws are secure and replace any that have worn heads
4. Check the drive train, it must be oiled and running smoothly
5. Check the running gear, make sure that there are no obstructions
6. Make sure the gearbox is dirt and debris free
7. Check that the clutch is not worn down and still has enough tension on the clutch spring

This is just a basic checklist, you don't have to do it after every run, I will do a complete checkup after about 10 runs, but I always maintain my engine after every single run.

Happy Racing...