That looks outstanding. Did you figure out any new techniques to get around the problems you had before? Asking for a friend...
Yes actually I did. Of course after doing all the primer and body work I prepped it for paint. I use denatured alcohol and a paper towel to wipe everything down and then allowed it to dry which really doesn't take long. I also like to set the paint out in the sun light to warm the can.
I always start painting the edge of all the wings and fins first. I give them at least 2-3 coats.
After it dries I spray a light tack coat on the entire rocket rotating it as I go. I'm not actually trying to cover any one area just doing a light mist with in a few inches of the surface,
After it dries I come by and starting on the underside I paint the wings and stabilizers first. Using smooth fluid strokes. After that I continue on with the same motion and paint the airframe and nose. All one fluid smooth stroke, keeping the paint coming out as I extent past the nose cone and the aft section of the airframe. Pretty much how you see those machines paint cars.
Keeping the distance the same at all times and the speed.
As I rotate the rocket around I paint the sides exactly the same top to bottom. When I reach the topside I paint the tops of the wings and stabilizers and like I did on the underside I come back and paint the airframe.
That's the first real coat. I let it dry for about 10 minutes and then repeat the process. Each time I slow the motion down just a little to allow the paint to "WET" itself and flow. I guess that's the big secret knowing how fast and close you can get without running the finish. I'm usually 2-3" when I'm laying down the main coats of paint. The tack coat I'm about 4" or so away from the surface and not really trying to cover it.
I let the rocket dry at least a week or longer, before I even consider handling it. I don't like rushing it and it's not like I'm gonna launch anytime soon.
Then I'll come back and cut in the red and then after the red is painting and I unmask the rocket I'll laid down several coats of clear starting lite to medium and build up the finish. Although I should probably put on the decals first, but I need to test them and see how they will react to the clear coat.
SPECIAL NOTE: I only use Duplicolor primer and paints. The nozzle is adjustable so you can spray a nice fan vertically as you see how I have it position on a wood dowel and I used center rings that fit the motor mount tube.