Paint Shoulders & Couplers?

[MichiganJohn]

I've never painted nose cone shoulders or couplers on LPR & MPR in order to avoid paint or clear coat sticking under various conditions. I'm not sure if that's a valid concern or not, but it's what I've always done to be safe.

I've started building larger HPR stuff now, and wonder if other people paint nose cone shoulders or couplers/av bays in their builds? Does keeping those surfaces unpainted matter in order to ensure good separation - is the effect different for cardboard vs fiberglass tubes? Thank you.

 

[dr wogz]

mask them. Or, all the parts (usually except NC) are assembled and ever so slightly pulled apart (1/16 - 1/8" gap between) when painting. Once painted, pull them apart & leave to dry

sometimes I will leave the NC on too, leaving a slight gap..

 

[Jay Rairigh]

I've never painted shoulders or couplers on any rocket, (lpr/mpr). I don't believe I've seen any other builds where these surfaces have been painted either.

I will CA and 'polish' any cardboard surfaces that nose cone shoulders or couplers will slide in and out of repeatedly including the coupler itself.