Masking and Painting Fin Tips

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By Scott Turnbull

This tip describes one method to mask off and paint fin tips.

First, paint the airframe as desired, including at least part of the fin root edge along the body tube.

In this example, the entire rocket, including the fins, was painted red as a base coat.

Once that has dried sufficiently to allow handling, place a plastic bag over the fin can.

Push the fins through the wall of the plastic bag, maintaining a relatively tight seal around the fins where they protrude through the plastic bag.

Use masking tape to seal the edges of the bag and define the edge where the fin color will begin. This could be down near the root edge, or out towards the fin tip.

Spray additional base color along the tape edges. This is an important step, as it seals the edges of the masking tape, and prevents the fin color from bleeding under the tape.

As soon as is allowable by the particular paint, spray the fin color over the fin can.

Once the fin color has dried sufficiently to withstand the tape removal, peel off the tape and remove the bag.

GUEST's OPINION:
"" (X.X.)

1. Finish
   Painting: Always wait 5-10 days after you paint your first final coat before painting a different color on the rocket. - J.H.
2. Finish
   T.H. gave me a great finishing tip: Apply a light 1st coat and let it tack up for about 15 minutes. This 1st coat needn't cover completely; translucent is fine. Just hit (say) the fin tips and roots and a light coat on the BT and fin flats. After it has tacked, you can then hit it with a heavy second coat. You can't hardly make it run then (don't try to prove it :). The benefit (as you've already deduced) is that you can get one color completed in a single paint session, then do the contrasting color, such as the baby blue on my Long Boy fins, in a 2nd session. That'll save ya some effort. - D.S from RMR
3. Finish
   Taping: Use Scotch Green Fine Line tape. If there's any residue (which would surprise me greatly), use SIG Model Airplane Cleaner (solvent type, not windex type) to get it off. If you're using dope, you can use regular paper masking tape if you put down the tape, then put a light coat of clear along the edges of the tape, then paint the color over the top. But that won't work with any other type of paint. B.B. from RMR
4. Fins
   How to get a nice finish on balsa fins? - The key is multiple coats of a filler, with sanding in between. First, sand the fins lightly, then apply a filler and let it dry. Sand, and repeat as necessary until you're happy with the finish you get. A lot of people use Elmer's Fill 'n Finish (now sold as Elmer's wood putty, or something similar; white tub, orange lid. Get the LIGHT stuff, it's easier to sand). Water the Elmer's down to get a consistency you can spread with a paintbrush or your finger tip. This stuff works well for filling the spiral groove. I use and prefer the SIG balsa filler coat. It has a nasty smell to it, and should be used in a well-ventilated area. However, I get better results with it. Others use the Elmer's and are VERY happy with it. There are other brands, as well. Find one you like and use it. If your son or daughter will be using it and is young, I'd suggest the Elmer's, since it's water based. - K.T. from RMR