Aerotech Mega Initiator #89541, Part 2, Parts Prepping

The laser burns should be sanded off the exposed edges. 

Charred edges won't accept paint well, the burnt edges can show through lighter colors.

The rear fin shows the charred sides, the forward fin is after sanding with 320 grit on a block.

I'm building two rockets, one for display, the other for flight.

The display rocket will have rounded fin edges, the flight model will have squared off edges.

Here's the outside edge before sanding.

The leading edge (toward to top) has been sanded. You can see the plywood layers.

Always check body tube edges. 

The larger the diameter, the more likely you'll see a rough cut.

Sand the tube ends flat using 220 grit on a block. Follow with 400 grit to smooth.