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Rusty RC12E Resto ***Finished!!!
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:40 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
Hello guys! I'm mainly a military scale model builder but have decided to switch up for a bit as I'm going through a burnout on scale stuff. I ran across this old RC12E on e-Bay while gathering parts for a scale PT Boat I had converted over to R/C. I remember seeing the adds for this car in an old magazine when I was a kid. Our school library had lots of old R/C mags to drool over back in the day. I never did get a chance to build an Associated car until now so here goes!
The car I received was mostly intact but none of the electronic components are salvageable. It appears to have been exposed to a lot of moisture as the motor and both servos were frozen with rust. My plan is to restore this car to running condition and in as close to the original configuration as possible. I've already secured a nos Associated resistor type speed control and am looking at some Futaba servos that might be candidates for this car. Hopefully I can get this machine back on the road again soon.
Here are the auction pics of the car.
I soaked this motor in WD-40 and got it running again just for fun. It sounds like a Sherman tank with rusty tracks though.
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:56 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:58 pm
by bearrickster
that is a Very Cool car. you should keep that motor for display or rebuild it. I have never seen on like that. I have a lot of 1/12 cars I love them, and they dont take up a lot of space on the shelf. good luck on your build
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:23 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
And here is where she's at now. I would never have got this point without this forum.
The white plastic parts came out great after soaking in hydrogen peroxide for nearly a month.
Still need to find some axle washers as the old ones are toast. The car was not rolling when I got it.
I picked up a nos brushed stock motor for her. Should be good enough as this car will only see the odd run or two and will mostly sit on a shelf.
She now sits on new tires and rims. I trued up the rears on my drill press.
The chassis was wet sanded and then polished out with rubbing compund.
Damage was sanded out of the front bumper and then polished out with rubbing compound again.
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:25 pm
by bearrickster
WOW that really looks Great!!!!
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:31 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
bearrickster wrote:that is a Very Cool car. you should keep that motor for display or rebuild it. I have never seen on like that. I have a lot of 1/12 cars I love them, and they dont take up a lot of space on the shelf. good luck on your build
That motor will definitely be kept and I made sure not to damage the label. I've actually test polished part of the can and it came out nicely. Does anyone rebuild these old motors?
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:39 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
The car also came with this beautiful Futaba radio. The radio is in mint condition. If it works then it will be used.
How's that for cool!
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:48 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
bearrickster wrote:WOW that really looks Great!!!!
Thanks bearrickster ! It took a lot of work to get it to this point but it sure was fun. I'm really enjoying this resto build. It's fun hunting down old bits on e-Bay too. I ended up with two more Associated cars for restoration from all the e-Bay searching.
This is just as addicitve as scale modeling.
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:57 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:05 pm
by bearrickster
I would keep it orange myself, it looked great that way and its my faverite color anyway
you did a great job the car is Beautiful
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:22 pm
by RC10resto
Very nice
They are simple cars but it takes alot of work to bring them back. If you can't save the radio tray you might want to contact board member "reign79" He might be able to set you up.
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:37 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
bearrickster wrote:I would keep it orange myself, it looked great that way and its my faverite color anyway
you did a great job the car is Beautiful
Thanks again bearrickster! I was actually kicking this idea around if I can find some decals that would work. Jager!
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:38 pm
by reign79
WOW !!!!! Super job these cars really deserve to be cherished I love them. Nice to see more people restoring the,. I have reproduction radio trays and bumpers if you get in a bind
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:44 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
RC10resto wrote:Very nice
They are simple cars but it takes alot of work to bring them back. If you can't save the radio tray you might want to contact board member "reign79" He might be able to set you up.
Thanks RC10resto! If I can't get the tray into decent shape then I may go the replacement route. It's quite thick though so I'm hoping I can just sand out the bad stuff and then straighten it out with a heat gun. We shall see.
Re: Rusty RC12E Resto
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:13 pm
by PlastiZapCA+
reign79 wrote:WOW !!!!! Super job these cars really deserve to be cherished I love them. Nice to see more people restoring the,. I have reproduction radio trays and bumpers if you get in a bind
Thanks reign! PM sent.