Aside from the battery life, another factor that influences how long your RC car will last is your maintenance culture. This includes how often you clean your RC vehicle after use, the terrain you drive, how often you change the parts and how often you lubricate. Speaking of lubricating RC cars and trucks, the 3 main reasons why you should use RC car grease and oils are because they protect against wear, reduce mechanical resistance and contribute to the longevity of your RC vehicle. We offer different types of lubricants to help your RC vehicle run faster, its battery to last longer and to improve the general maintenance of your RC vehicles. Browse through our catalog of RC grease and oils to find out more.
Is there any difference between RC car grease and oils?
RC lubricants can either be grease, or oil, or both. The primary difference between these two types of lubricants is their viscosity and intended applications. RC grease, for instance, is a thicker, more viscous lubricant that provides long-lasting protection for heavy-duty components like gears and bearings. It offers better resistance to water and contaminants, and it is best used on RC vehicle parts that have constant friction.
In contrast, RC car oil is a thinner, more fluid lubricant used for lighter parts such as shocks and ball bearings, where low viscosity and quick movement are necessary for optimal performance. Choosing between grease and RC car oil depends on the specific requirements of each vehicle part.
Most RC lubricants have a combination of grease and RC car oil. They are made up of 80% oil, 5-10% thickener to regulate how much oil is used, and an additive to give special properties like water resistance, electrical conductivity, etc.
4 most popular categories of RC car grease and oils
There are a lot of categories of RC grease and oils, but here are the most common 3 RC lubricants.
1. Silicone Grease
Silicone RC grease is a translucent, white, viscous, odorless, and non-toxic paste or gel made from silicone oil and a thickener. It is one of the most popular lubricants used in RC vehicles. It has high resistance to extreme temperatures; therefore, you can use it to maintain your RC vehicles in both hot and cold environments. It is also waterproof, so it doesn't wash away, harden, or break off easily. This means you can confidently drive your silicone-lubricated RC vehicle through watery or muddy terrain without worrying about the metal parts corroding.
A silicone grease/oil is usually applied to gearboxes, differentials, bearings, and other areas that require a light lubricant. Because Silicone grease is slippery and has less viscosity, it is more suited for plastic and rubber RC vehicle parts as it won't degrade their materials. RC Visions offers silicone grease lubricants for your RC vehicles; one of them is the Team Losi Racing Silicone Shock oil. It comes in 2oz and 4oz bottles with viscosity ratings that range from 20 wt to 45wt.
2. Lithium Grease
Lithium grease is another popular lubricant choice for RC enthusiasts. Like silicone grease, it has excellent lubrication properties, is resistant to heat, water and oxidation, lasts long and doesn't break down, among other benefits. Lithium grease is thicker and tackier and is best used for metal-to-metal or metal-to-plastic RC parts. This is because it provides stronger adhesion and protection against wear and corrosion, unlike other types of RC grease and oil.
At RC Visions, we offer a variety of Lithium-based grease that you can use to lubricate your RC vehicles. One of them is the Traxxas White Lithium Grease. It comes in the form of a paste in a 0.32oz container, and is best used to lubricate gears.
3. Molybdenum grease
This is also called moly grease and is used in RC vehicles to protect against friction, wear and tears. It is made up of molybdenum disulfide, which provides a protective layer on metal surfaces to reduce war and extend longevity. Its cohesion is strong enough that it doesn't break off during off-road driving and racing. It also doesn't melt off easily and maintains its lubricating properties during extreme temperatures. RC Vision offers the Team Associated Black Grease, a molybdenum grease to help you lubricate your RC vehicles during extreme racing and temperature.
4. Marine grease
Saltwater has been known to be the fastest harbinger of rust and subsequent degradation in RC vehicles -especially boats, but that was before marine greases became popular. Marine grease is a type of RC vehicle lubricant that provides superior water resistance. It has excellent adhesion properties, making it stay in place even under heavy use or exposure to salt water. It can withstand high pressure and temperature and maintain its lubricating properties even in demanding terrain. It also contains anti-wear additives that help reduce friction and prevent damage to moving parts. RC Visions offers Marine grease RC lubricants to help protect your vehicles in saltwater terrain; one of them is the Dynamite Marine Grease. It can work as a lubricant for multiple RC vehicles and comes with anti-sling technology that gives it strong adhesion.
You can't do without lubricant applicators.
Since RC motors are small and their parts smaller, you need lubricant applicators to properly lubricate your car and avoid rust. Some RC Grease and RC car oils like the Dynamite Light Weight Oil w/Precison Oiler come with an applicator, while some lubricants like the Team Associated Black Grease don't come with an applicator.
Thankfully, there are standalone lubricant applicators that you can buy to help you precisely apply your lubricant on your RC vehicle. These RC lubricant applicators often have a needle-shaped tip or nozzle that allows you to reach tight spaces and apply the grease properly. RC Vision offers some standalone lubricant applicators, including the CowRC Udder Butter 2.5oz Syring, the DLR Pinpoint Oiler, etc.
Choose the best Grease for your RC vehicle.
RC Visions offers a collection of RC car grease and oils to help you lubricate your vehicles and keep them running actively. Our collection spans the 4 most popular RC lubricant categories and includes standalone lubricant applicators that will help you reach small spaces in your RC vehicles. Browse through our catalog to choose the best RC grease and oil for you.