How do you clean a dirty Revo?

[thetick]

My roller came in good shape, but it's got some dirt and light mud caked in all the nooks and crannies. It looks like a pain to pull everything apart and clean it individually. Can I just hit it with a pressure washer? Or maybe just squirt it with some alcohol and blast it dry with a compressor?

[Matthew_Armeni]

If you bought it used it really is a good idea to pull it apart anyway. You never know what might be wrong (not saying that there will be anything). I've pulled my own Revo apart to clean it a couple of times and once I found a crack in my bulkhead, it was on the inside where I would never have seen it until it broke all the way through. You never know, good to inspect. Plus, if you've never taken apart a Revo before it will make you familiar with it, always a good thing.

[thetick]

I agree with you totally. We have 2 kids under 19 months old right now so I usually only get to tinker with my toys 15 min or less a day so it would probably take days for me to pull it all apart. I guess I should just bite the bullet and do it though.

For future reference though.....what is the best way to clean it?

[Matthew_Armeni]

The best and fastest way is probably to remove the electronics and pressure blast it with denatured alcohol if possible, water is less preferable (rust) but it'll work just as good if you do the next parts really well. You can also buy Nitro Blast, that stuff works great but is a little pricey (Although I believe it is just automotive brake cleaner- anyone know for sure?). Then use some compressed air to blow it off. After that I like to give some sprays of WD-40 and wipe it down and another shot of air.

Another tip if you like to run in wet or muddy conditions, give the suspension a good shot of WD-40 before going out, the mud won't stick and it's easier to clean afterward.

[thetick]

Thanks!

[pipeous]

Air compressors rock. I am an auto detailer by trade and used my air compressor a lot. WD40 is a good cleaner but sucks as a lube hehe (also good for removing chewing gum from carpets).

I use the hose sometimes after a muddy session. Spray with cleaner, use a paintbrush to agitate, rinse with water, blow with air then spray with nitro blast or brake clean (metal parts. helps evaporate water) then oil. I like liquid wrench because it inhibits rust and is a thin oil that lasts.

Another cool machine I like to use is a steam blaster. mine is a fairly industrail unit but they have smaller versions that would work. XS cargo here sells one for 15 or 20 bucks. they come with a trigger and heat the water. you spray pressurized steam.

My favourite air tool is called a Tornador by Auto Magic. Do a google search and check them out. there are vids on u tube as well. It comes with a cleaner. It sprays air, cleaner, has a cyclonic action which also sucks dirt into the cone when pressed against fabric. I think if you had one you'd clean your own car more often due to ease of use and possibilities. I clean air vents and hard to reach places with mine.

Cleaning has an acronym. TACT. Temperature, Agitation, Chemical, Time

Temperature because heat increases cleaning efficiency of any given chemical to the effect of for every 5 degrees over 150 the efficiency almost doubles.

Agitation is straght forward. Rub the cleaner around loosens things

Chemicals clean better than water. You can spray your auto ith a hose but it still looks dirty.

Time is leaving chemicals sit to work

To finish the plastic off when all said and done, a little furniture polish and a toothbrush makes all the plastic nice and clean again. It even cleans the bodies well including the windows

[Hickoryhead]

I don't care for brake cleaner as much. Leaves a film IMO. Carberator cleaner works great.

[Sammus]

I reckon an old toothbrush and some metho. Dunno if its called that in the states, its basically ethanol with a bit crap added so they dont have to pay regular alcohol taxes and so hobo's cant drink it. Air compressors are also good.

BEWARE though - DONT blow pressure air or anything near your bearings, all your doing is forcing little bits of grit inbetween the seals, and you will make them fail MUCH quicker. Soak a tissue in metho and wipe bearings carefully, spray them with some lube if you want and they should last you a lot longer.