The 1969 Estes catalog showed their Big Bertha paint scheme. It was one of the few full color pages in the catalog.
The nose cone was simply painted red.
I masked off the shoulder and sprayed it with Rustoleum Painter's Touch Gloss Apple Red. No problems.
I decided to add a coat of RPT Gloss clear.
When I checked it after drying, the clear coat had wrinkled and dulled the surface. I don't know what caused this, it should be compatible, both paint cans were the same brand, from the same factory.
It could be a combination of Florida humidity and my laying the clear coat on too thick.
I'll sand it back and shoot it again.
I'm building an Estes Interceptor, and using the finishing techniques I read about in the October issue of Apogee Rockets newsletter (Issue #298).
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've attempted a high-quality finish on a model rocket, so I'm a novice at finishing. I've filled the spiral seam with Elmer's Carpenters Wood filler, as well as applying several coats of the wood filler to the balsa fins. I plan to use 4 coats of Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover primer, alternating gray and white primer, and wet sanding between coats (per the suggestions in the Apogee newsletter). I have Rustoleum Paiter's Touch gloss white paint and gloss clear coat, in order to avoid mixing different types of paint.
The Interceptor nose cone has many details molded into the nosecone, including recessed areas for the cockpit, which decals will be placed over.
I've never painted a plastic nose cone before, so I'm wondering if it is a good idea to paint the nose cone in similar fashion to the body tube. Will the molded details of the nose cone make it difficult to get a high quality finish?
Alternately, I could apply the decals directly to the nose cone, and cover with Rustoleum gloss clear. Applying the decals directly to the unpainted nose cone would be less of a risk, but I'm wondering if the finish would appear different then the rest of the rocket.
Hi Electromag 11,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you might be using too much primer doing four coats. It'll add weight so it should be sanded down, almost to the surface.
I usually just paint a plastic nose cone at the same time as the body tube. Before painting, you'll want to wash the nose cone with a little soapy water to remove any releasing agent from the molding process. Let dry thoroughly before painting.
Primer probably isn't necessary on a plastic cone, but it can fill the last of the remaining seam and color coats will adhere better.
I'd paint the nose cone white to match your painted main body. Just because the nose cone is molded in white plastic doesn't mean it'll match the Rustoleum Gloss white spary paint.
Be careful with clear coats. I haven't found one yet that works. You'd think it would give you a shinier finish but it may not.
For example, Krylon gloss clear will turn a shiny rocket to a matte finish!
Many clear coats will be fine on one model, then the same can will destroy decals on another!