All Rocketry Blogs

Greg Smith's Blog: Big automotive primer session (2009-07-19)

After two previously failed car paint attempts the stars finally aligned today. I had queued up six parts that had been sanded and ready to spray prime with Martin Senour Crossfire primer. I ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Gonna need some high build-up primer (2009-08-08)

Glassing the cone for my forthcoming BT-101 rocket went pretty smoothly. Well, smoothly isn't exactly accurate. What I meant is that I got it done without glassing myself or my workbench. However, ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Rustoleum Professional Primer + Rustoleum Camouflage Paint = (2010-01-27)

Stupid Rocket Trick #12 - Crazy crazing, man. I'll guess I'll wait a couple of days, sand, and re-coat. [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Keeping Filler in the Body Tube Seams (2010-10-13)

It's frustrating when Carpenter's Wood Filler pops out of the body tube seams. Depending on the width and depth of the seam, results are unpredictable. This is an adaption from ideas suggested ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Primer woes (2011-09-28)

I've been filling/sanding/priming/sanding by Big Brite clone and need to make a note to myself: Next time, buy something other than Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover 2x .  I have had this ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: CWF Filler Mix Ratio for Body Tube Seams (2011-11-03)

I've never had great luck filling body tube seams with Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler or C.W.F. About this time last year I tried to find a good mix ratio of CWf and water. Here's the post from ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Filling Body Tube Seams (2011-12-13)

This has been covered before. I'm re-writing the entry as some may have some problems with it. Don't just look at the pictures - be sure to read the copy! I've seen a few pictures posted of seams ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: More comments on Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover 2X Primer (2012-05-16)

I have a few additional comments on this primer.  Just in case I forget to tell myself not to buy more or if I find it on a really good sale :)   I sanded down the crazed spots and ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Even more on Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover 2X Primer (2012-05-31)

In my previous posts (click "...Tips" tag at the bottom of this post), I described the crazing problem that I experienced. Well, I am now doubting myself and my results.  There is a whole TRF ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Primer TIP Idea (2012-12-29)

This is just an idea, it may not work for everybody-  The red nozzle on the Duplicolor Filler Primer can be turned. The picture shows it flipped 90 degrees to spray in a horizontal "line". ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Primer Colors? (2013-09-29)

    On the forums, there is always questions about primers. From an internet search: "Primer allows the final color coats to adhere better. Primer is designed to adhere ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Sanding CWF in Body Tube Seams TIPS (2013-10-01)

If you can feel the body tube seams with a fingernail, the seam will show after color coats are applied. It's hard to see the seams, especially on the white tubes. Lately I've been dragging a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Filling Body Tube Seams TIPS (2013-10-29)

For filling body tube seams, I was mixing the CWF a little thicker than what was used for balsa grain filling. The thicker filling didn't seem to chip out of the seams when sanding to surface. I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: A Better Primer? Nope! (2014-07-09)

I had been using Duplicolor Filler-Primer with good results. After my last can ran out, I went cheaper and bought some Rustoleum Gray Automobile Primer. Others on the forums have mentioned using ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Email about NAR Website - Model Rocket Building Techniques (2015-03-03)

An email from Eric -    Chris, I read through the NAR 'Model Rocket Building Techniques' and it is nicely done.  As a recent BAR I will say it took me some time to sort out my ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: What Kind Of Primer / Filler Do You Use? (2015-08-06)

In a recent comment Daniel asked: "What kind of primer filler do you use?" My response: Hi Daniel, I only use the Duplicolor Primer/Filler, available at auto supply stores. The can label is now ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Why Do I Fill and Prime Before Assembly? (2017-04-01)

It all came down to this model back in the early 1970s. I remember how disappointed I was with the balsa filling process. Back then all we had was sanding sealer or balsa filler coat. With ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Balsa Grain Fillers and Added Weight (2018-05-29)

  Most model rockets you build will have fins made of balsa wood. Because balsa is so porous and has such a loose grain, you have to give the wood some kind of treatment if you want ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Magical Weight-Reducing Balsa Filler (???) (2018-06-14)

I recently wrote about a test of various balsa grain fillers and sealers and the weight they add. The clear winner of that test was the Brodak butyrate dope sanding sealer, which added 0.3 grams ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: A Email Question About Filling BT Seams (2019-06-24)

Chris- You frequently explain how to  fill the spiral seam on a rocket tube.  There is a detail, however, which is not   clear; I thought it might be  something of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: CWF Wood Filler Warp! (2019-11-06)

I've read about it many times on the forums. Builders give up on Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler (CWF) after trying it once, complaining about the balsa warping. It will warp the balsa after the ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Brodak Is Back (2019-11-22)

A few months ago, I learned from Bill Cooke's Rocketeer's Corner blog that my favorite sanding sealer, by Brodak, was out of stock. I learned about Brodak from Bill's blog, and I love using it to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Glue Filler? Part 1 (2019-12-05)

I see it on the Facebook Rocketry pages once a month. Somebody asks: "How do I fill the balsa grain? One or two replies is always: "Use glue! Rub it in and sand it off. I get really smooth fins ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Glue Filler? Part 2 (2019-12-06)

Before I apply the Elmer's CWF - I used Sanding Sealer or Balsa Fillercoat for years. When I got back into rocketry in 2006, I couldn't find Sanding Sealer for a reasonable price. I had heard a lot ... [Read More]

Improbable Ventures: High power rocket construction: part 6 (applying primer) (2019-12-18)

So if you’ve been following along with this step-by-step guide at home, the construction of your new high power rocket is now complete! All the major parts are assembled, and aside from ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Why Gray Filler/Primer? (2020-01-06)

In a comment, Scigs asks: " . . . I notice you use grey filler primer after filling your fins, then sand most of the primer off. You then follow this up with a base of gloss white. Just wondering ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fill & Finish Questions From TRF, Part 1 (2020-06-24)

On TRF, Neil W had some questions about how I fill and finish. I tried to  answer all his questions.  Neil's quotes are in italic - I am mostly using the finishing strategy t ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fill & Finish Questions From TRF, Part 2 (2020-06-25)

Here's the fill and finish process I use: Filling the grain and tube seams: 1. Thinned Elmers Carpenter's Wood Filler (CWF) from the orange lid tub. 1A. Sand (leaving a very slight beige ... [Read More]

Improbable Ventures: How to build a fiberglass rocket, part 12: primer and paint (2020-07-02)

All the difficult and time-consuming rocket construction steps are basically complete. The drilling and sanding fiberglass is done, the epoxy has cured, and technically, you can fly it &ldq ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: A Comment and Answer From "Fill & Finish" Posts (2020-08-26)

Openroad commented: I’ve had decent results with Rusto High Build Primer/Filler, #249279 version - the label looks like a riveted on plate - but the Duplicolor definitely sands easier. The ... [Read More]

Thrifty Rocketeer: To Fill or Not To Fill... (2021-01-22)

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... Other than which glue or paint to use, one of the most frequently debated topics is " Should I fill the spiral grooves on my body tube or just ignore ... [Read More]