Mini 4WD Body Trimming Guide

Trimming a body shell reduces weight and clears the running gear. It is quick work but easy to overdo.

Where to cut

Clear the roller positions, the stays and any damper hardware generously. A body that fouls a roller under load unsettles the car in ways that are very hard to diagnose later.

Tools

Curved scissors or a sharp knife for polycarbonate, side cutters and files for ABS. Cut outside your line and finish to it with a file; you cannot put material back.

Finish the edges

Rough edges crack under vibration, particularly on polycarbonate. Smooth every cut edge, and consider rounding internal corners which is where cracks start.

Do not weaken the mounts

The body still has to locate securely. Trimming into the mounting points leaves a shell that shifts at speed, which is worse than a slightly heavier body.