How to get balsa nose cones smooth

[rockets]

I've had some much frustrating trouble with trying making my balsa nose cones smooth.
I usually try to sand them down, but that doesn't really work..

I'm looking for some tips!!





Thanks,

 

[rharshberger]

They can be coated with thin CA and then sanded smooth, it may take a couple of coating and sanding, but it smoothes and hardens the balsa surface ( K'tesh has a tutorial here on TRF using the CA method). DEFT lacquer sanding sealer can also be used in a similar mannee.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

I personally use Titebond. First coat I thin 50% with water to get saturation.
Then a couple coats brushed on with no thinning. Smooths out great with 220 grit.

 

[neil_w]

I personally use Titebond. First coat I thin 50% with water to get saturation.
Then a couple coats brushed on with no thinning. Smooths out great with 220 grit.

Hey, welcome back.

I gotta admit I’m incredibly curious to try this. Which Titebond do you use?

 

[Incongruent]

I use Elmer’s fill n finish to fill in the pores of the wood (so that the surface can be sanded smooth). Then sand, repeat if there are any unfilled areas, and CA the surface to seal and harden. Then the CA gets sanded smooth.

 

[dr wogz]

Epoxy too..

 

[Cabernut]

Andrew, are these ones you bought and want to get rid of wood grain texture, or are you making your own and need to get them looking right?

 

[jlabrasca]

K'tesh has a tutorial here on TRF using the CA method...

This just came up in another thread. k'tesh linked to the tutorial....

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...rial-Making-Balsa-Nosecones-Look-Like-Plastic

As he notes, thin CA is nasty. The vapors are noxious and the reaction as it cures is exothermic. I'd suggest using a disposable brush, rather than drizzling the CA over the cone -- but use something with coarse bristles. Don't use a cotton swab, unless you've got chemical goggles, a good respirator, and are prepared to sand the cotton fibers off the cone.

I've had an almost-good result soaking a BT80 WAC Corporal balsa nosecone in Minwax Wood Hardener, then sanding with 400 grit/steel wool before painting. The wood did not absorb the hardener uniformly. Some spots got harder than offers.