The Future is Clear...

 The Thrifty Rocketeer Blog continues...

So we're chatting with fellow rocketeers on Zoom tonight, (something we've started doing since the Pandemic hit) and one of my fellows asks, "Has anyone tried this new 2-part clear coating for your rockets?"

Now, the attempt to seal your rocket with "Clear Coat" has been an ongoing fad for many years, and seems to go in cycles, as various new rocketeers enter the hobby, and want to preserve their paint job, especially as they take more time and effort with their painting.

So he goes on to describe how this is a two-part mix, and how you take the cap off the top of the bottle, and then reinsert it in the base, puncturing the seal and adding the hardener to the mix.  Some vigorous shaking, and the spray is ready.

He even claims that the spray nozzle is set up to give a nice, even fan from top to bottom when sweeping left to right.   He says this is near automotive grade, and is frequently used for preserving the paint on the hood of your car.  It's supposed to be especially good at heat resistance.

So we ask the price of this product, and we're told, more than $25 per can.  And for a hood, you're likely to need two cans.

I swallow hard, thinking this is really expensive clear coat... and my memory goes back to what I was told about ten years ago when getting into the hobby.

I was told to go find a bottle of "Future Floor Finish" to polish my rocket.  The idea was that you took a cotton ball, soak it from the "spray top" of the squeeze bottle, and then wipe it on generously over your rocket, decals and all.  Let it set and dry and give it all a second coat if you like.


The word back then was that the acrylic floor finish was the best, cheapest means to seal and protect your rocket.  The only problem was that the product is no longer being made.  That is, it has not been sold under the same label.   Acrylic floor finish is still available, but it may no longer be called "Future".

Anyway, "Future floor finish" looks to be a lot cheaper in the short run, but it isn't a clear coat sealer that you would want to use on your high power rocket.  Maybe low power and mid-power, but basically over  your cardboard and wood builds.

So that's this week's thrifty tip from the Thrifty Rocketeer.

Don't forget to cap your glue and let your floor finish dry!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The End of the Line

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... Well, for years, the state of the model rocket industry relied upon plans and patterns that were photocopied or printed out, and then applied to standard sheets of balsa to be cut out. Eventually, the various parts for various sized rockets were packaged in groups or blister packs, and sold at hobby shops across the nation.  The emphasis was on home brew or building a rocket to specifications and plans. Eventually, entire kits were pre-packaged, with all the parts that one would need.  And then, laser cut shapes, fins or parts were already pre-cut, doing away with the need for most of the patterns and tracing. So what happened to all those bags and bister packs of parts of rockets?  That is, a baggie of various nose cones... or connectors... or transitions or more ?   Many of  those packages remain at your local mom and pop hobby store, just waiting for someone to come in and buy some of their pegboard stock.  And the number and frequency of the
Read more

sleeping with the enemy

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... First thing I did when they put in a Hobby Lobby in my smaller metropolitan town, 40 miles away, was to grab an application to work there.  Now I know what you're thinking... "How could you?  Who would want to work for that conservative corporation?".. as my daughter would say.  And you'd be partially right. I saved the application and took note of the mailing address. Within the first month or so, most of the initial buying frenzy was over, having sold out of some things, but not everything.   But it seemed nothing new was getting restocked. So, I got on my word processor and wrote a letter to the store management, THANKING them for bringing the store to our isolated metro area. I pointed out that many of the items had sold through completely, and how much we had appreciated their stocking rockets. Then I also encouraged them to restock and consider expanding the display, pointing to the fact that as rocketeers grow older, the
Read more

Death of a Hobby

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... No, this is not a column about how Model Rocketry is a dying hobby.  It's actually about another sister hobby that sometimes overlaps into Rocketry. I'm talking about Amateur Radio. Just this last weekend, our local Ham Radio club held a "swap meet" which is commonly called a Hamfest.  These gatherings to buy and sell used equipment, parts and visit old friends typically happen just once a year and in the absence of the late Radio Shack, is one of the only places to find parts and electronic elements. There is also testing held to advance to higher licenses. The admission varies depending on the club, their overhead, expense of renting the hall or venue, and the number of tables that they can sell to area vendors who will drive across state with their wares to set up for the half day show. It's not uncommon for amateur radio operators to drive across state to attend, pay admission and get a single entry into the door prize
Read more