Not sure whether to post here or in another forum section, but since this is my first post about my first rocket build I figure this is the right place.
Like many here, I'm coming back to Rocketry as a grownup after dabbling in it as a kid some 50 years ago. Selected the Screamin Green Meanie kit from Apogee just because it looked fun and was a bit more advanced than the Estes kits I did as a kid. So far I'm pretty happy with my results. I know I've made mistakes so far but it's a learning process and I've got some time to learn with future rockets.
Here's my question. I basically followed the instructions that came with the kit and the video instructions that Apogee kindly provided on a DVD with my first order. When I built Estes kits as a kid, I knew nothing about hardening balsa fins with wood putty or fillets when you join fins to the body. Seemed simple enough and I did an ok job on both, but I can tell some experience will help me improve my techniques.
Now I'm at the point of painting. I applied several coats of a wet sandable primer, at what I thought would be thick enough to fill imperfections and sand. But, after just a little bit of very light wet sanding with 400 grit paper I can see some bare wood and a bit of the white on the tip of the plastic nose cone. Photos are attached.
Should I back up and spray on more of the sandable primer? I used Krylon ColorMaster Gray Indoor/Outdoor Primer. Is that a decent choice? How important is the primer? Seems like it is not just to build a base for the final paint but it may add to the overall strength of the rocket and help fill in little imperfections which I assume improves aerodynamics. I guess the real question is, is the primer more about the look or is it important to how well it flies and recovers?
![SGM-NoseCone.jpg SGM-NoseCone.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238216-65b21d470134fe8fbbf5a97b2957fcb5.jpg)
![SGM-Fin2.jpg SGM-Fin2.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238217-57817dde6e74349ea478521568630c9b.jpg)
![SGM-Fin1.jpg SGM-Fin1.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238218-184478211a0f658244cabab8b1371bdb.jpg)
Like many here, I'm coming back to Rocketry as a grownup after dabbling in it as a kid some 50 years ago. Selected the Screamin Green Meanie kit from Apogee just because it looked fun and was a bit more advanced than the Estes kits I did as a kid. So far I'm pretty happy with my results. I know I've made mistakes so far but it's a learning process and I've got some time to learn with future rockets.
Here's my question. I basically followed the instructions that came with the kit and the video instructions that Apogee kindly provided on a DVD with my first order. When I built Estes kits as a kid, I knew nothing about hardening balsa fins with wood putty or fillets when you join fins to the body. Seemed simple enough and I did an ok job on both, but I can tell some experience will help me improve my techniques.
Now I'm at the point of painting. I applied several coats of a wet sandable primer, at what I thought would be thick enough to fill imperfections and sand. But, after just a little bit of very light wet sanding with 400 grit paper I can see some bare wood and a bit of the white on the tip of the plastic nose cone. Photos are attached.
Should I back up and spray on more of the sandable primer? I used Krylon ColorMaster Gray Indoor/Outdoor Primer. Is that a decent choice? How important is the primer? Seems like it is not just to build a base for the final paint but it may add to the overall strength of the rocket and help fill in little imperfections which I assume improves aerodynamics. I guess the real question is, is the primer more about the look or is it important to how well it flies and recovers?
![SGM-NoseCone.jpg SGM-NoseCone.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238216-65b21d470134fe8fbbf5a97b2957fcb5.jpg)
![SGM-Fin2.jpg SGM-Fin2.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238217-57817dde6e74349ea478521568630c9b.jpg)
![SGM-Fin1.jpg SGM-Fin1.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/rocketryforum/data/attachments/238/238218-184478211a0f658244cabab8b1371bdb.jpg)