(timed build) How long does it take to build an RC car

Part of the enjoyment and satisfaction of RC cars is maintaining and building them.
if you built a remote controlled car in the past you probably know that its a time consuming process, and the more you do it, the better you get at it.

For a fresh hobbyist, building an RC car from scratch can be quite intimidating, especially when you try to understand how long will it take.

We timed our RC car building and are here to tell you exactly how long will it take.

The answer is:

It generally takes about 30+ hours of dedication and methodical care, as well as patience to build an RC car from scratch.

How long does it take to build an RC kit car?

The time taken to build model car kits varies for several different factors.

The process of building can take from several hours up to multiple days depending on the specifications of the RC car and the level of expertise you have. 

There could also be many tiny parts that you have to fasten or glue to your RC kit car.

Specific features like if the car is 2WD or 4WD, nitro or electric, the type of dampers in the vehicle, as well as other differences like ball diff or gear diff, and CVDs or dogbones could cause variances in the time used to assemble different RC kit cars.

How long will it take to build your first-ever RC car?

If it is your first ever time building an RC kit car, then you should expect to spend about 30 or more hours working on building your vehicle.

If it is your first time building an RC car, then it should take you more than a whole day to put it together. Some beginners even using a whole weekend just to build their RC car and ensure its in top shape.

How long does it take for an experienced builder?

Experienced builders can finish putting together an RC car in a few hours, although most tend to build more complicated RC kit cars. These cars often need some fastening, gluing, and painting.

That can take about ten to twenty hours.

How hard is it to build a kit car?

Building an RC car can be quite challenging, but you will get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction when you complete the building and start driving your RC car.

Building an RC requires a high level of persistence because it takes several hours to do, especially if you’re new to building RC kit cars. If you want your car to come out looking and working great, then you need to take your time in building it and go through as much information as possible.

You can try out different articles, forums, and even videos online to get all the details and information you need to build your RC car. With all this information available to you, building your own kit car should be much easier.

Do you need any special skills or knowledge to build a kit car?

Building a kit car involves performing a lot of research before and during the process. There are three vital areas for you to perform your research, and these include the information about the parts of the kit, where to get these parts, as well as the demands that the building process would have on you.

You should also have a good knowledge of how to use basic mechanical tools for gluing and fastening the parts together, as well as any other decorations or maintenance that need to be performed on the RC car.

Do some brands take longer to build than others?

Different RC brands offer RC bodies with different features, specifications, and functionalities, so you should not expect the different RC brands to take the same amount of time to build.

• How long does it take to build a Tamiya RC?

For an experienced builder, the Tamiya RC should take about 5 to 7 hours to build.
Tamiya remote-controlled cars are quite simple and have user experience in mind. Their cars are well engineered, making it easier and faster to build.

• How long does it take to build a Traxxas RC?

The Traxxas RC usually takes between 5 to 10 hours to build, depending on the size, functionalities, and other features of the RC car.

• How long does it take to build an ARRMA RC?

An ARRMA RC can take longer than other brands since their RC trucks and cars are quite complicated and meant to use by a more experienced hobbyists.

How to save time when building an RC car?

There are several tips you can use to save time while building your RC car.

• Choose a clean, well-lit workspace: You should only build your RC car in an area that you can keep reserved for the car-building process for a couple of days. 
• Do not open all the bags at the same time: Most RC kits separate the different parts of the car into bags, and these bags are usually labeled for easy recognition and selection.
• Do not open them at random to prevent mixing and also make it much easier to use them when you need them.
• Read the instruction manual: This is an extremely important step and it should be one of the first things you do before you start building your RC car.
• Be careful with the grease: A little grease can do a lot in an RC car body. You just need a little dab on the gears and a line on the shafts. If you put any extra grease you’ll make a mess that will only attract dirt.
• Measure hardware: RC car kits usually have labels showing the sizes of hardware components to ensure you’re using the right tools and equipment. However, you might have to measure some of the screws so you must learn how to properly measure these components to make the process much quicker and more efficient.
• No need for power tools: It might seem like a good idea to use a power driver, but these tools usually end up harming your RC car, and even potentially damaging it by causing light stripping and softening the plastic. You should stick with the hand-operated tools when building your RC car.
• Slow and steady: You should take your time when building the RC. Don’t rush in the process, just build at your own pace. You can have a lot of fun in building the RC car, so you should take your time to ensure the car is built properly.

What tools do you need to build an RC car?

1. Hex Drivers: You should have a set of quality hex drivers if your RC car uses hex hardware. 

2. No. 1 and No. 2 Phillips Screwdrivers: Regardless of if your RC car has hex fasteners, you might also need to use some Phillips screwdrivers, and these could have a huge impact on the outcome of your RC car build. If you will be building a Tamiya RC body especially, then you should prepare to use a lot of Phillips screws and screwdrivers.

3. Needle-Nose Pliers: You can use these needle-nose pliers for several purposes including inserting parts into small spaces, holding wires to be soldered, as well as squeezing e-clips into the right places.

4. Flush cutters: Flush cutters are used to remove plastic parts from the surface of your car. 

5. Hobby knife: This tool is used frequently for scoring bodies, trimming decals, and performing several other slicing actions. 

6. Shock Pliers: It is very important that the shock shaft is not scratched while you’re assembling shocks, because that will make it hard to hold when the rod ends are being installed. 

7. Body Scissors: These curved blades are great for cutting wheel openings and cutting round corners because they will not cut through the body as you cut around the trim lines. 

8. Body Reamer: The body reamer is great for making post holes after trimming your body with body scissors. The reamer can cut a smooth and round hole with just a couple of twists. 

9. Turnbuckle wrench: This turnbuckle wrench is an excellent tool for twisting turnbuckles. You can use this turnbuckle wrench for efficient suspension tuning.

10. Camber gauge: This device is very handy because it helps to tell you how much your wheels move away from the chassis. This also allows you to dial in the exact amount you require and have it supplied directly to each wheel of your RC car.

Which takes longer to build, nitro or electric?

People who are beginners in Building RC cars are usually advised to build electric RC cars because they are much easier and quicker to build than nitro RC cars that takes longer to build. 

Building and operating an electric RC car is quite simple, and it is usually the first choice for most RC car users because of the lack of noise and exhaust fumes. But, if you like the sound of an engine revving and like to watch your RC car let out its exhaust fumes, then you should be ready for the challenge of building a nitro-powered RC car.

Is building an RC car worth your time?

There is a sense of self-accomplishment you get when you finish building an RC car by yourself. These cars are very fun to drive and bash, and the building process can be one for you and your whole family to enjoy.

Conclusion

For your car to be quick and strong on the track it needs to be properly put together. You should take your time and go at your own pace in building your RC car to ensure it is in perfect condition for bashing and driving at high speeds. It’s time for you to get to work and build your dream RC car.