Would you all advise me on how to build and paint a rocket?

[clovis]

My 13 year old daughter wants to build a rocket for the 4-H fair.

I am a total newb with rockets...I mean a total newb, except for a rocket we were required to build in 7th grade shop class, and I'd prefer not to relive that ordeal, LOL.

My main question is how to get a stunning paint finish on the rocket.

Prime, sand, prime, then paint, sand, and paint?

This is a rattle can job, BTW.

Thanks in advance!!!!!!

[Exotics_Builder]

It might help to get a little more info. Is this a static rocket? That is one that is for display only? If yes, are you looking at a customized scheme or building a NASA/military rocket? Or are you doing one that is to launch, such as an Estes?

There are likely different answers based on intent.

[clovis]

This is an Quest kit that I found at a thrift store, along with about 20 Estes engines.

This exact kit is Quest Aurora. I thought it would be fun for her to paint it up in pink and white, or whatever colors she chooses.

This kit has a paper tube, balsa wings, and a plastic nose.

I would be more than happy to shoot this rocket after the fair, should she decide she wants to do so.

Thank you so much for the help!!!

[Jim B]

Depending on the age of the kit, you'll need to seal the tube & balsa fins. The Estes rocket kits that I built in the 1980s came with the tube already sealed. You'll need some sort of sanding sealer for the balsa fins, but after that it's prime & paint as normal.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Jim B

[Danno]

What Jim said.

[Mike Kucaba]

If the countdown is less than 10 seconds..... I'd paint it fast!!

[LittleDrummerBoy Aka LDB]

I always fill the body tube lines in with elmers wood filler, once the filler dies it sands very easy. You can also use the filler to make fillits along the fins once they are attached securely. Then I do a light coat of krylon white primer, sand then a little heavier coat and sand again. By this point your rocket body should be very smooth and ready for your choice of paint and clear on top.

[LittleDrummerBoy Aka LDB]

Oh ya, you can thin the filler also, I use it thinned with water 90% of the time. The filler is also good for sealing your fins so that when you paint there is no wood grain.

[gerdog]

Thin elmers wood glue with some water, and brush on the balsa wood. Let dry,and sand between coats. I just paint the cardboard tube, bur I suppose you could apply the elmers as well.