Paper wraps for BT's

[JRThro]

Guys,

I am planning to make a couple of rockets for my sons. One will be a 321 Penguins (Hey, look it up if you want to know more.) theme, and the other will be a Power Rangers theme. Actually, they'll be made from my bashed/lengthened Estes Stars & Stripes and from my Quest Super Bird that's currently under construction.

What I'm considering is a sort of 'wrap' for the BT with pictures, logos, etc., on it. Is this feasible, and how would you suggest I do it? Adhesive label paper, plain printer paper, and photo paper are all possible options, as are other things I haven't thought of yet. I have an inkjet printer that can handle letter and legal sized paper or smaller.

If I don't use adhesive label paper, how would you recommend I attach the 'wrap' to the BT? Let's assume that the BT is white, either by virtue of being a white BT, or by virtue of being primed with white primer and sanded to some extent.

Feel free to make any and all suggestions, and feel free to rip my proposed methods to shreds. I'm still new at this, and this is one more thing that I haven't done yet.

Thanks!

 

[jflis]

I've used paper lable body wraps for a long time and even include them in some of our kits (Pheord X150 and Triple Threat for example) and also as free downloads (for the A.C.M.E. Spitfire, for example).

Avery lable paper is a good choice (get the full sheet lable material). These produce a flat finish, but can be glossed up using clear coat. NOTE: When clear coating lable paper, the *white* areas tend to soak up the clear coat making it go translucent so there will be some color change.

Another idea, if you can get it, is "crack-n-peel" paper. This is a high gloss paper that won't absorbe the clear coat.

hope this helps,
jim

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by jflis
I've used paper lable body wraps for a long time and even include them in some of our kits (Pheord X150 and Triple Threat for example) and also as free downloads (for the A.C.M.E. Spitfire, for example).

Avery lable paper is a good choice (get the full sheet lable material). These produce a flat finish, but can be glossed up using clear coat. NOTE: When clear coating lable paper, the *white* areas tend to soak up the clear coat making it go translucent so there will be some color change.

Another idea, if you can get it, is "crack-n-peel" paper. This is a high gloss paper that won't absorbe the clear coat.

hope this helps,
jim

Thanks, Jim!

Is that 'crack-n-peel' paper the stuff where the backing is pre-scored/cut so you bend the sheet and then peel off the backing, or are you talking about something else?

 

[sandman]

My stand off scale Saturn 1B and mt MicroMaxx kits that I'm making use 64# "presentation" paper printed at Staples (about $1 a copy).

They're (Staples) printer so you won't smear the ink like inkjet does.

I'm using a glue stick (Elmer's) that people who do scrapbooking use.

Works really well and more forgiving than "peal and stick" paper.

Just my $.02.

sandman

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by sandman
My stand off scale Saturn 1B and mt MicroMaxx kits that I'm making use 64# "presentation" paper printed at Staples (about $1 a copy).

They're (Staples) printer so you won't smear the ink like inkjet does.

I'm using a glue stick (Elmer's) that people who do scrapbooking use.

Works really well and more forgiving than "peal and stick" paper.

Just my $.02.

sandman

sandman,

Your $0.02 is worth a lot more than that to me, since you have vastly more practical experience than I do. Thanks for the input!

 

[bobt85]

I've used 3M spray adhesive to attach inkjet paper, and it worked really well.

 

[sandman]

Actually most of the tips are from Gus. He's the "paper wrap" expert.

Check this out!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6710&highlight=Vostok

He's just in Alaska on vacation for the next week or so.

sandman

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by sandman
Actually most of the tips are from Gus. He's the "paper wrap" expert.

sandman

Then my hat's off to Gus, too!

 

[rbeckey]

I used Avery full sheet label paper for the skins on my Fliskits Acme Spitfire and was very happy with the results. Determine the proper length of the pattern (as in circumference of the tube) and draw a pencil line straight down one side. Cut the wrap carefully (I use a rotary paper cutter for this part) and start it on the tube using the striaght line as a reference. Not as hard as it seems. Crack and peel gloss would work better for whites, as previously mentioned.

 

[shockwaveriderz]

Has anybody in the model rocket business ever considered selling sport scale models for example based upon paper models and model rocket parts? Sorta like full vinyl and or water slide decals body wraps with some balsa or plastic parts...... so no paint would be needed?

for example take the mercury-redstone and or gemini-titian as example....the body tube would have a full decal body wrap like apper rocket, the mercury capsule could be plastic vaccum formed with a vinyl or water slide decal that you apply to make it look just like a real mercury capsule ..the escape tower could also be formed plastics and you apply a wrap to that, the fins would be g10 and you apply full fins skins to it? If you scaled up the actual paper model diagrams you could make models from micro maxx up to giant sport scale....

 

[jflis]

Originally posted by JRThro
Thanks, Jim!

Is that 'crack-n-peel' paper the stuff where the backing is pre-scored/cut so you bend the sheet and then peel off the backing, or are you talking about something else?

Yep, that's the stuff The only problem is that when you *crack* it, you risk cracking the ink on the printed side, so take care...

 

[sandman]

shockwaveriderz,

For some "shameless self promotion" go here!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9851&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

I have to finish the plans and bag 'em up yet.

 

[DynaSoar]

Originally posted by shockwaveriderz
Has anybody in the model rocket business ever considered selling sport scale models for example based upon paper models and model rocket parts? Sorta like full vinyl and or water slide decals body wraps with some balsa or plastic parts...... so no paint would be needed?

for example take the mercury-redstone and or gemini-titian as example....the body tube would have a full decal body wrap like apper rocket, the mercury capsule could be plastic vaccum formed with a vinyl or water slide decal that you apply to make it look just like a real mercury capsule ..the escape tower could also be formed plastics and you apply a wrap to that, the fins would be g10 and you apply full fins skins to it? If you scaled up the actual paper model diagrams you could make models from micro maxx up to giant sport scale....

All the Quest lifting body models (M2Q2, HL10, X-30) and the DC-Y Clipper are based on preprinted paper shrouds wrapped around appropriately shaped "centering" rings, or in the case of the DC-Y, a frame. The rest of the kit is stock parts, or custom shaped parts made of regular stock material. By scaling the shroud to fit different parts sizes you could up and down scale any of them. I'm planning on doing that with the DC-Y, up to a 3" core with 38mm MMT. Scaling the others is certainly possible, but since they're all B/G, it may require some internal redeisign for proper balancing.

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by sandman
shockwaveriderz,

For some "shameless self promotion" go here!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9851&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

I have to finish the plans and bag 'em up yet.

sandman,

I was hoping you'd say something about that.

 

[BobH48]

Sandman,

Don't forget to put a plug in for the micro-maxx kits too.

 

[sandman]

Don't forget to put a plug in for the micro-maxx kits too.

Ahhh...you just did! Thanks.

 

[JRThro]

Here's what I ended up doing.

I used my Estes Patriot, because my son wanted to use the bashed Stars and Stripes for the upcoming Power Rangers rocket.

I printed the four 321 Penguins characters' pictures in a vertical column with my inkjet printer on regular inkjet paper. I printed the 321 Penguins logo on a separate sheet of paper.

Wrapping them around the body of the rocket left about 1" of white space on the "back," which was fine.

I tacked the edges of the wraps to the BT with CA glue, then I also went around the "tops" and "bottoms" of the wraps with CA. This worked really well, the rocket looked good except for the somewhat uneven seams where the wraps *almost* come together on the back side.

Then, since I hadn't been to a club launch or any kind of launch since August 28th, I took my son to our subdivision's rainwater retention pond and launched the rocket there.

And it got caught in a tree. I only used an A8-3 motor, but it was kind of windy, and I'll admit that I wondered if it was too windy. I used the stock 12" Estes parachute.

It was too windy.

The rocket is caught in the top of a 35 foot tall tree, just hanging there.

Dang it.

But it looked good before I launched it!

 

[JRThro]

Also, this isn't the picture I used, but it shows you who the 321 Penguins characters are.

https://www.bigideafun.com/penguins/downloads/wp_crew/wp_1024.htm

 

[powderburner]

Hey, I know those penguin guys!
I think we prefer the Veggie Tales at our house, though

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by powderburner
Hey, I know those penguin guys!
I think we prefer the Veggie Tales at our house, though

We do too, or at least we have more of the Veggie Tales videos.



And I just saw that "Sumo of the Opera" is out now!

 

[cmmeyers]

My kids have "Larry-Boy" on the brain.

I've toyed with the idea of making a rocket to look like the LarryMobile in "plane" mode.

 

[Rick James]

Never seen 321 Penguins... have to check them out... but I just saw the Veggie Tales adventures on the USS AppliePies spoof on Star Trek... it was great!

Wish we could have seen the a picture of your rocket... maybe a telephoto lens of it hanging in the tree?

Rick

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by cmmeyers
My kids have "Larry-Boy" on the brain.

I've toyed with the idea of making a rocket to look like the LarryMobile in "plane" mode.

Now THAT would be cool!

What about just making a rocket to look like Larry Boy himself? (maybe with clear fins on the back)

 

[cmmeyers]

Originally posted by JRThro
What about just making a rocket to look like Larry Boy himself? (maybe with clear fins on the back)

Never thought of that. A bashed Big Bertha quickly comes to mind.

I won a Cheetah from the FlisKITS birthday giveaway, and I think I'm going to paint/decorate it in a LarryBoy theme.

Attached are my initial ideas of the color scheme (with some pics of LarryBoy and the Larrymobile for the uneducated!). Finishing this rocket has potential to be a real pain, and I'm going to have to search the forum for tips on the use of pinstiping tape.
I...am...that...HERO!!!

(I didn't mean to hijack the thread topic about wraps, but close to the topic : I will most likely be printing out some LarryBoy images to be glued onto the rocket)

 

[cmmeyers]

Oops...forgot the pic....

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by cmmeyers
Oops...forgot the pic....

Congratulations on your win! I just saw that this morning.

You have GOT to get some green on there, unless you're planning to include pictures of Larry Boy on the rocket.

And please use computer generated ones, not those cheesy cartoons! <grin>

Like this:

https://www.bigidea.com/videos/veggietales/vt008/images/prod_front_lg.jpg

 

[cmmeyers]

This is the one I planned on putting on the fins...

 

[wwattles]

What? No suction cups just behind the nosecone?

Maybe even have them eject when the cone blows... "Super Suction Cup Ears, AWAAAAAY!"

WW

 

[cmmeyers]

And the countdown will go something like this :
5...4...3...2...1...Hasta la vista Weedie!

Oooh, the fib and the rumor weed might have to make an appearance on the fins....

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by cmmeyers
And the countdown will go something like this :
5...4...3...2...1...Hasta la vista Weedie!

Oooh, the fib and the rumor weed might have to make an appearance on the fins....

"I'm a talking weed; you're a talking carrot. Your point was?"