Brushed motor rehab
- juicedcoupe
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Brushed motor rehab
I'm throwing this together at the request of another member. This is just some of the stuff that I do, so take it for what it is. If someone has any ideas to add, please do so.
I rummaged through my stuff and found this crusty Peak Racing 12X2. It looks like a good candidate.
Start by disassembling everything. This one has removable brush hoods, so more detailed work can be done.
Holding the brush hoods with smooth jaws needle nose pliers, I use a mini torch and brass brush to remove any solder. In this case, I also removed the soldered on brushes as well.
Then everything gets a good scrub with dish soap and a toothbrush. A ultrasonic would work as well.
I then remove the decal and prep the can for paint, if necessary. The decals can sometimes be troublesome, this one required acetone to remove all the adhesive. It then got scuffed with a fine sanding block (foam).
If the can is chrome, I'll just try to clean it up. If necessary, I'll buff it with a fine sanding block.
This is the paint I use, Krylon Fusion. It isn't ultra high temperature paint but it bonds well. If you think that you need high temperature paint, consider engine enamel.
I put tape through the mounting holes and bearing, and stuff the can with a paper towel. Then, 2-3 light coats. Give it at least an hour to dry.
While the paint is drying, I reassemble the endbell. If you have the tools, now is the time to align the brush hoods.
This comm didn't need to be cut. It cleared up nicely with a comm stick and fiberglass pen. I'll pick back up with reassembly later.
I rummaged through my stuff and found this crusty Peak Racing 12X2. It looks like a good candidate.
Start by disassembling everything. This one has removable brush hoods, so more detailed work can be done.
Holding the brush hoods with smooth jaws needle nose pliers, I use a mini torch and brass brush to remove any solder. In this case, I also removed the soldered on brushes as well.
Then everything gets a good scrub with dish soap and a toothbrush. A ultrasonic would work as well.
I then remove the decal and prep the can for paint, if necessary. The decals can sometimes be troublesome, this one required acetone to remove all the adhesive. It then got scuffed with a fine sanding block (foam).
If the can is chrome, I'll just try to clean it up. If necessary, I'll buff it with a fine sanding block.
This is the paint I use, Krylon Fusion. It isn't ultra high temperature paint but it bonds well. If you think that you need high temperature paint, consider engine enamel.
I put tape through the mounting holes and bearing, and stuff the can with a paper towel. Then, 2-3 light coats. Give it at least an hour to dry.
While the paint is drying, I reassemble the endbell. If you have the tools, now is the time to align the brush hoods.
This comm didn't need to be cut. It cleared up nicely with a comm stick and fiberglass pen. I'll pick back up with reassembly later.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- juicedcoupe
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- Posts: 2768
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2020 8:05 pm
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Somehow I skipped a step. There must be too many images because it wouldn't let me add more.
After painting the can, before reassembling the endbell, I polished the brush hoods. I used a rotary tool with a nylon brush wheel, with Brasso.
After painting the can, before reassembling the endbell, I polished the brush hoods. I used a rotary tool with a nylon brush wheel, with Brasso.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- RC4X4
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
I believe you can get can decals from MCi, not positive it was them but regardless, very nice work, I have a ton of brushed motors and a cobra lathe, lets just say I need to get to work myself.......
- juicedcoupe
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Yes, I have a few laying around. Most of these are from MCI.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- RC4X4
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Those are awesome!!!!!!juicedcoupe wrote: ↑Sat Apr 16, 2022 7:51 pmYes, I have a few laying around. Most of these are from MCI.
Screenshot_20220416-144705_Gallery.jpg
- RC4X4
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
How much do they charge for a motor decal? Are they the same kind of thickness?
- juicedcoupe
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
While waiting for the paint to dry, I decided to rehab the brushes as well. I was just going to put new ones on but these were in good condition and it goes with the thread.
I crimped and soldered new terminals on. These are #4 hole, 18-22 gauge, from ebay.
I then took one of my brush cutters and trued the faces.
I crimped and soldered new terminals on. These are #4 hole, 18-22 gauge, from ebay.
I then took one of my brush cutters and trued the faces.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- juicedcoupe
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
They vary in price. I think ~$4-6 each.
They seem to be about the same as some of my thinner originals. Definitely not as thick as an older paper based decal.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- juicedcoupe
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Got it back together.
Whoever was in this motor before, had the armature endplay way too tight. I adjusted the endplay and centered the armature in the magnetic field.
I reassembled it with new Trinity springs and the old brushes.
I checked rotation before installing the decal, so that everything would line up like I wanted.
Since this decal has timing marks, I also verified the timing location before installing it.
I don't think it turned out too bad.
Whoever was in this motor before, had the armature endplay way too tight. I adjusted the endplay and centered the armature in the magnetic field.
I reassembled it with new Trinity springs and the old brushes.
I checked rotation before installing the decal, so that everything would line up like I wanted.
Since this decal has timing marks, I also verified the timing location before installing it.
I don't think it turned out too bad.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.
- MarkyDents
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Looks phenomenal, well worth the effort 

Who do you race for ?
Me……. I race for me.
That’s impossible, I was told you need a sponsor to race.
Hey Cru ! Go balls out
Me……. I race for me.
That’s impossible, I was told you need a sponsor to race.
Hey Cru ! Go balls out

- R6cowboy
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Good deal juicedcoupe, thanks for posting. I now have a list of items to get for motor restos.
-Jerry-
- GeneralZod
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Results look factory fresh! Outstanding work! I enjoy fixing up my old brushed motors as well. Though, I think I have too many 
- Lavigna
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Re: Brushed motor rehab
Great result. Thanks.
My Photo Gallery --->https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=38934
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