Waxing A Launch Rod? TIP

On TRF, a post mentioned sanding a launch rod to remove corrosion.
Sanding is pretty rough on a launch rod considering some rods are now made of aluminum. Most use a very fine steel wool to clean them off followed by a wipe of spray silicone.
On my home system I wipe off the rod to remove any exhaust residue. Some fine oil is dripped into a paper towel and the rod gets wiped down. I've used the same launch rod for years and hundreds of launches.

From TRF, Neil W posted:

I think I (fairly recently) read someone suggesting rubbing wax paper on the rod to slick it up a bit. I thought that sounded interesting, but haven't tried it and don't know if there's any potential negatives.

That's an interesting idea! As kids we'd rub wax paper on our swing set slide. The wax did transfer and the slide was almost too fast!

For a very un-scientific test, I tried sliding an old rocket over my old launch rod. There was very minor roughness felt.
I rubbed a scrap of wax paper down the rod then slide the rocket on the rod again. 
The rocket slide was smoother on the rod! 

Who knows, maybe the wax from the was paper might help prevent corrosion or help seal a steel rod from rust. The waxed paper is now in my range box.

EDIT: Neil W sent a link to the original TRF post from Hornet Driver: 
" . . . As far as the problem of binding goes, I oversize the lug just a bit so it slides smoothly but you just can't beat a nice true rod to solve that problem. I do like to polish my (launch) rod with a handful of wax paper. It keeps the oxidation down and smooths out the surface.--H

Post Launch Cleaning TIP

After six launches at the schoolyard my flat Quest blast deflector plate is pretty dirty. The soot is in a ring on the outer edge of the metal plate. Most of the flame hits and is deflected by my ceramic Odd'l Rockets Blast deflector.

One of the most valuable launch supplies is a few paper towels. I always keep some in the range box.
Carded models require an immediate wipe down after landing. Any wet dew can swell carded fins and body wraps even if the paper has been sprayed with a clear coat.

After six launches the paper towel is damp from wiping off the rockets. I use the wet paper towel to remove the fresh soot left on the blast deflector.
It's easier to do it at the launch site before packing it away in the launch box. That soot will get on everything around it just walking from the launch site back home.

Cleaning Up Post Launch Part 3

An Email from Andrew Ballard:

Another way to keep things looking clean is a can of dry lube. Especially if you start when your parts are new. The idea is similar to using Pam cooking spray on pots and pans.
I use this industrial type on a 1010 rail launcher. It goes on dry to the touch, non greasy. Makes it very slippery, withstands high temperatures, and black soot wipes right off.

Remaining Teflon will wash off easily, then re-spray again the next time out.
This one is a little expensive, around $9.00. However Home Depot has an off brand around $4.00 I was going to give a try.

Of course if you were using a Blast! Deflector with a "Raise" Spring these may reduce the degree of post launch maintenance. Maybe we'll see them in action sometime in a school yard launch entry.
Andy

Thanks Andy!
I still use my original Odd'l Rockets Blast! Deflector, Raise Spring and Adeptor at every schoolyard launch. The Blast! ceramic deflector directs most of the flame and residue away from the flat metal disk below it.

Cleaning Up Post Launch Part 2

Take the kinks out of your controller lead wires by folding a paper towel, pinch it over the wire and pull the wire through.
Don't pull the wire near the controller body, you don't want to pull on the inside connections.





Here's the wires after taking out the kinks and loosely coiling them.
Don't bend the wire where it comes out of the controller, keep it loose and strain free.



Lastly, wipe down the launch rod with a drop of oil on a paper towel. You could also use some silicone spray.

You'll notice that all this work was done over a sink.
That black engine residue can get everywhere.
Keep it where you can do a quick cleanup.

Cleaning Up - Post Launch Part 1

I try to keep my launcher and controller clean, but it does require some maintenance after a launch.

At the launch site, I'll wipe all the black residue off the blast deflector with a paper towel.
When I get home I'll clean it up a bit more.

This is a cheap, soft brass bristle brush. You can buy them for less than a dollar at home supply and hardware stores. It resembles a wood handled toothbrush and the brass bristles bend if pressed with a finger.

Dampen the bristles (not the deflector) and brush off the remaining blast residue.
TIP: To prevent rust, wipe down the blast deflector with a drop of light oil on a paper towel.



Here's that same brass brush used dry to clean off the micro clips. It this is done regularly, they'll stay in almost new condition.
Using the brush instead of sandpaper, most of the residue will come off pretty easily. Too rough a grade of sandpaper will sand down the clips.

Cleaning Up - TIP!

I've used the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers with good results on the walls of my house.
It never occurred to me to use them on light colored rockets.

These Scotch Brite erasers less expensive than the Mr. Clean brand.


After all that handling, the lower white area (with the flags) on my Saturn V was getting smudged and a little discolored. I'd painted the model with gloss white. You could imagine how dirty it would have been if it were painted with a flat finish!

Under a running faucet I wet one of the Scotch Brite erasers then wrung out most of the water.

It cleaned up very well and could save a touch up down the road. You can see the dirt it removed on the pad.

NOTE: I'm not going to make any compatibility guarantee with these erasers and the brand of paint you are using. This was done on well cured Rustoleum Gloss White Painter's Touch 2X Coverage spray paint.