Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Using wood filler for fin repairs?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    6th October 2011
    Posts
    278

    Using wood filler for fin repairs?

    A couple of my rockets landed on gravel and got some nicks and dents in their fins. I am thinking of using wood filler (FnF or similar) in repairing them. Has anyone tried this and how does it work?

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    29th December 2009
    Posts
    711
    Quote Originally Posted by Spacepirate R View Post
    A couple of my rockets landed on gravel and got some nicks and dents in their fins. I am thinking of using wood filler (FnF or similar) in repairing them. Has anyone tried this and how does it work?

    Thank you.
    It depends. For small nicks in the edges, it works fine. For bigger dents, I cut out the bad section and glue a new piece in place of it, then fill, sand, prime, etc.

    Doug

    .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    2nd September 2010
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    311
    For some dents, I have even used plastic model putty filler.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    21st October 2010
    Location
    SoTex
    Posts
    196
    I use a lot of this stuff......both building and repairing.

    http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL482&P=7

  5. #5
    Join Date
    18th January 2009
    Location
    Back up in the woods
    Posts
    7,575
    Plastic wood (aka wood putty) is the stuff to use for this kind of repair. It does an excellent job, and the repaired area is often harder and more resistant to damage than the original wood. Press a blob of it into the nicked area, and then after it has fully dried or cured, sand it down to restore the original edge or surface.

    The lightweight Carpenter's Wood Filler is OK for filling small holes, but I wouldn't use it to repair nicks in fin edges. It won't stick as well and won't be as hard and durable as plastic wood. For deep or large gouges and dents, I use Aeropoxy Light Filler, which is epoxy-based.
    Last edited by MarkII; 22nd January 2012 at 04:30 AM.
    Mark S. Kulka NAR 86134 L1, ASTRE 471, Adirondack Mtns., NY
    Opinions Unfettered by Logic • Advice Unsullied by Erudition • Rocketry Without Pity
    In the forest no one can hear you order a grande caffè misto.
    Warning: I brake for invisible squirrels

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •