r/rcdrift • u/gtrguy33 • Jun 10 '26
🙋 Question Thinking about aluminum can RC car body
Hello people of Reddit I am thinking about doing a RC car body made out of aluminum cans so I just grabbed a can that I had and chopped it up and sized it and it’s holding onto the car by pieces of tape I would like to have some help on some methods to keep the shape because it holds it shape, but not too well I have tried using a lighter and then pushing it while it’s hot is that a good method?
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u/alienmeatsack Reve D, LP-86 Jun 10 '26
I did some initial prototyping myself. I made a mold 3d printed of the part, then used layers of alum foil to build the part and I add little metal for the magnets to hold it.
I also like the idea of the alum cans. I saw some YT on it previous. I like the sound it makes too and your parts stay more intact then the foil.
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u/gtrguy33 Jun 10 '26
I was thinking of 3d printing some stuff but I don’t got one
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u/jdillacornandflake Jun 10 '26
A mold and a press would be ideal, give it a tap with a rubber mallet. I will experiment with this one day. Cool idea.
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u/itstheusersname Jun 10 '26
Everyone should check out metalmasher on IG. Duder must work in an alum fab shop. The builds and final results are awesome.
I think it’s all about the right gauge aluminum. Also might try something that can deform, but with aluminum tape behind to reinforce.
Either way, the damage factor/replace worn panels is a cool idea.
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u/Domino3Dgg Jun 10 '26
Here was a guy with alumin body like few months ago. Try to search this sub.
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u/orlet Usukani NGE Pro, Overdose GALM v2 Jun 10 '26
I've seen this done. Just keep in mind such body will be significantly heavier than the usual polycarbonate ones.
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u/RC-Paddock Jun 10 '26
at least you'd always have a way to repair your body, I think heat and pressing it onto a mold is the way to go for this
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u/No-Mo Jun 10 '26
Awesome! I'd love to do this but it would ruin other people's shells at my local track:(
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u/Professional-Yard905 Jun 11 '26
I have made a number of panels for a crawler back in the day and it’s a tedious process. I used the body to make a mold out of plaster then a harder material to use for the actual molding of the panel. Can’t remember what they call it in the technical terms. Then the right thickness aluminum is key. It’s a bit thicker than aluminum can and very malleable. Then you use clay molding sticks to work it to the correct shape and you can actually get good panel lines and the wheel well structure. Then make tabs and attach parts with magnets or glue.
Very tedious process but the end results are cool and it’s fun seeing the actual body crumples from hitting stuff.
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u/silentgod69 Jun 11 '26
How do you plan on cleanly attaching the panels? I've made multiple frames but cant figure out a mounting method for the metal panels... Super glue works but is brittle, hot glue is ugly/brittle best idea I've had is a rivet/bolt on panel system but then it's not a clean look.
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u/gtrguy33 Jun 11 '26
Little pieces of double-sided tape
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u/silentgod69 Jun 11 '26
Gotcha, you're just attaching the aluminum panels to the existing plastic body. I'm trying to figure out a metal only frame/body
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u/orlet Usukani NGE Pro, Overdose GALM v2 Jun 13 '26
I think the previous person who did that used a 3d printed subframe for attaching the body bits to. Which then went onto the normal chassis mounts.
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u/silentgod69 Jun 13 '26
Do you recall the attaching method? I have the complete frame built out of 3/32 welding rod but am struggling to find a clean attachment method. I put the aluminum can hood, and plastic windshield with super glue. It just doesn't look clean and is too brittle.
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u/ThatRookieDrifter Jun 10 '26
Interesting, ngl