Which RC drift body shell should you choose according to your level ?

Not all RC Drift bodies have the same build difficulty. Some are molded in a single piece and are relatively simple to prepare, while others are made up of several separate elements that require more work and precision.

To help you choose your next body, we have classified the main brands according to three difficulty levels : beginner, intermediate, and expert.

Important : the level indicates the difficulty, not the quality

When we classify a body as beginner, intermediate, or expert level, we are speaking only about its build difficulty. This classification does not in any way represent the quality of the body.

A body classified as « beginner » can be of excellent quality, with very nice molding and a high level of detail. It will simply be easier to cut, paint, and assemble, notably thanks to a one-piece design or a reduced number of separate parts.

Conversely, a body classified as « expert » is not necessarily of better quality : it simply requires more work, precision, and experience to achieve a clean result.

The level indicated in this guide should therefore be considered only as an indicator of build difficulty, and not as a quality criterion.

Beginner level : the simplest bodies

To build your first RC Drift body, we mainly recommend the following brands :

MST (Max Speed Technology), Hobbytech, HPI, Tamiya, Yokomo and Topline.

These brands generally offer bodies whose main section is molded in a single piece. It is therefore not necessary to separately assemble the bumpers, side skirts, or other important elements to achieve the complete shape of the body.

Cutting, masking, and painting still require care, but the final assembly is much more accessible for a first build.

Intermediate level

After building one or several bodies, you can move toward models requiring more assembly work.

For an intermediate level, we notably recommend :

Rêve D, Killerbody, Overdose, Aplastics

Depending on the model, you may have more separate elements to cut, adjust, and attach to the main body.

Expert level

For modelers who want to build much more detailed bodies, we notably classify in this category :

Addiction RC, Pandora RC and Tetsujin.

These bodies may require more fitting work, especially when the bumpers, side skirts, or various aerodynamic elements are separate from the main shell.

So the difficulty does not come only from the painting : you also need to be precise when cutting, positioning, and assembling the different parts.

Can you choose an expert body when you are just starting out ?

Of course. This classification is only there to give you an indication of the difficulty of completion.

Nothing prevents a beginner from choosing a body made up of several parts. You simply need to be aware that completing it will require more time, precision, and patience than with a one-piece body.

If you are making your very first body, starting with a relatively simple model also helps you become familiar with cutting polycarbonate, masking, painting, and assembly before moving on to more complex builds.

How do you glue the different parts of a body ?

To assemble the different elements, we particularly recommend Craft Bond from Tamiya or a specific body adhesive.

Be careful, however, when applying glue to a body that has already been painted.

In the areas where you are going to glue, we first recommend applying reinforced tape, like the one offered by Topline, then applying the glue onto it.

Avoid applying glue directly onto the paint as much as possible. Some glues can cause a reaction with the paint and visually damage your body.

This small precaution is particularly important on a build in which you have already spent several hours cutting, masking, and painting.

Which body should you choose to start with ?

For a first build, choose a simple and mostly one-piece body. Once you have mastered the techniques of cutting, masking, painting, and finishing, you will be able to gradually move on to multi-piece bodies.

In RC Drift, a highly detailed body can require a lot of work. Choosing a model suited to your experience level above all lets you enjoy building it and achieve a clean result.