Never painted a rocket really but I wasnt sure if their was going to be types of paints I am supposed to use and not use. so I guess I will use spray paint.Brian, I cannot think of any paint that will damage a rocket tube. Paint may attack other types of paint. But if you have a bare surface you can just about start with anything that you like. Just keep in mind, if you add other colors, clear coat to keep it the same as the base coat. Myself, I use PPG Omni a lot. But I have the equipment to do so. There are some many types and brands out there. Post some facts about your rocket, type of material, paint scheme that you'd like, where can you spray. Also, if you have used a certain paint in the past and it has worked for you, might want to stick with what you know.
Unless you're using something with very high solvents on Quantum Tube (PML kits) then no worries. Pretty much any paint will be fine.
Haha Fly naked... But yeah the spirals is the only thing im worried will stick out but thanks for the help.Nothing to worry about with PML quantum tubes (QT) either.
Any rattle can spray paint will work.
If not using QT or fiberglass, then filling in the spirals will be fun, with multiple coats of primer and sanding on the menu.
Then a few layers of same-brand main coat.
Then clear coat.
Or, just fly naked!
jeeez He took that paint job pretty far...Be consistent with one type of paint per rocket, so don’t mix lacquers and enamels.
Also build, do a simple paint job, and fly a few rockets before you start doing really fancy paint jobs. Kind of discouraging to spend days making the paint job look good when rocket lawn darts or lands in a tree or pond on first flights.
Great example of an experience rocketeer making a masterpiece that was destroyed on maiden flight.
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/open-body-missile-build-for-my-level-2.24733/
Go to post 64
He took it FAR better than I would have!
It is my understanding that if the directions on the can give a recoat window, the paint is enamel. If you can recoat anytime, the paint is lacquer. So my question 1 is, "Is that correct?"
Question 2: "What is acrylic?" Is it a type of enamel? Or might an acrylic paint be either lacquer or enamel?
Thanks.
Im going to use just 2 colors for the rocket and use spray paint so I dont have much to worry about mixingI don't know about question 1, but acrylic paint is water-based and enamels and lacquers are oil-based. Like water and oil, they do not mix.
Haha Fly naked... But yeah the spirals is the only thing im worried will stick out but thanks for the help.
Ok that I did need to know Thanks for the info on that I will do so.For dealing with spirals, the first and most obvious choice is to use a wood filler or automotive spot putty to fill in the groove before or after primer and sanding smooth. The second option is to use a thick coat of automotive filler primer and sand smooth. It may take doing this two or three times to completely eliminate the spiral, depending on how tight it is.
This is only partially true. The term "acrylic" applies to a wide variety of paint types. There are acrylic enamels and acrylic lacquers. Paints that are simply labeled "acrylic" are indeed usually (?) water-based, like the acrylic craft paints you get at Michael's and such.I don't know about question 1, but acrylic paint is water-based and enamels and lacquers are oil-based. Like water and oil, they do not mix.
Strongly recommend you head on over to the NAR page and read Chris Michielssen's (@hcmbanjo on this forum) overview of basic rocket building techniques. Also go read his blog for a wealth of additional valuable info. All your basic questions will be answered.Ok that I did need to know Thanks for the info on that I will do so.
Hey, that's a great idea. I would generalize it to "incorporate the CP location into the paint scheme." Like!One trick that is really helpful is if you do a two-color paint job, put the break between colors at the CP. then you’ll always know where it is when you prep for flight.
For dealing with spirals, the first and most obvious choice is to use a wood filler or automotive spot putty to fill in the groove before or after primer and sanding smooth. The second option is to use a thick coat of automotive filler primer and sand smooth. It may take doing this two or three times to completely eliminate the spiral, depending on how tight it is.
It is my understanding that if the directions on the can give a recoat window, the paint is enamel. If you can recoat anytime, the paint is lacquer. So my question 1 is, "Is that correct?"
Question 2: "What is acrylic?" Is it a type of enamel? Or might an acrylic paint be either lacquer or enamel?
Thanks.
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