How to Paint a Pinewood Derby Car
How important is the paint on your pinewood derby car? In fact, it's crucial to both the form and function of your car.
Using ineffective methods could impact how the car looks or runs.
Here are some helpful tips for adding paint to your car most effectively: 1.
Apply several coats instead of one or two When adding coats of paint to your pinewood derby car, more coats will result in less friction.
Yes, this process will require more paint and more time.
But the paint will dry faster, and the surface of the car will be smoother.
This will result in a car that looks and performs better.
On the other hand, adding only one or two coats of paint can result in longer drying times and rougher surfaces.
2.
Add a coat of primer before the paint Primer will help the "main" coats of paint to stick to the wood's surface better.
The extra expense and effort needed to add a primer coat is definitely worthwhile.
Here's why.
The better paint sticks to your pinewood derby car's surface, the less friction there will be.
And ultimately that will result in a faster car-which is a good thing.
3.
Have fun with colors and designs The options are virtually endless.
When choosing colors, you could select from Primary, Secondary, or Complementary colors.
You could also choose from a cornucopia of designs, such as camouflage.
Only your imagination can limit the number the color schemes or designs that you ultimately choose from.
Do some browsing and experimentation to choose the right color and design for your car.
4.
Do sanding and filling before painting Doing enough sanding and filling of your pinewood derby car will help to ensure that the painting is easy and effective.
Start with a coarser sandpaper, and then gradually work towards a finer one.
Never jump more than two "grits," to improve the effectiveness of the sanding.
Also, use wood putty or wood filler to fix any deep hollows in the wood that resulted from the cutting process.
When determining whether to sand or fill in imperfections in your pinewood derby car, choose sanding for minor imperfections and filling for major ones.
5.
Add primer as a top coat This is the second primer coat that you should add to your pinewood derby car.
As a result, tiny grains will rise to the car's surface, thus allowing you to sand them off.
After adding this final primer coat, you're ready to sand.
It's advisable that you use a fine 220-grit sandpaper, to ensure that you're able to remove all of the car's imperfections.
6.
Add a coat of lacquer after adding decals and pinstripes.
The clear varnish will make your car's paint more durable.
It can range from matte to glossy, so determine how shiny you want your pinewood derby car to look after you've completed it.
To paint your pinewood derby car properly, you'll need to do more than hurriedly spray on two heavy coats.
These above tips will help you to accomplish that mission.
Using ineffective methods could impact how the car looks or runs.
Here are some helpful tips for adding paint to your car most effectively: 1.
Apply several coats instead of one or two When adding coats of paint to your pinewood derby car, more coats will result in less friction.
Yes, this process will require more paint and more time.
But the paint will dry faster, and the surface of the car will be smoother.
This will result in a car that looks and performs better.
On the other hand, adding only one or two coats of paint can result in longer drying times and rougher surfaces.
2.
Add a coat of primer before the paint Primer will help the "main" coats of paint to stick to the wood's surface better.
The extra expense and effort needed to add a primer coat is definitely worthwhile.
Here's why.
The better paint sticks to your pinewood derby car's surface, the less friction there will be.
And ultimately that will result in a faster car-which is a good thing.
3.
Have fun with colors and designs The options are virtually endless.
When choosing colors, you could select from Primary, Secondary, or Complementary colors.
You could also choose from a cornucopia of designs, such as camouflage.
Only your imagination can limit the number the color schemes or designs that you ultimately choose from.
Do some browsing and experimentation to choose the right color and design for your car.
4.
Do sanding and filling before painting Doing enough sanding and filling of your pinewood derby car will help to ensure that the painting is easy and effective.
Start with a coarser sandpaper, and then gradually work towards a finer one.
Never jump more than two "grits," to improve the effectiveness of the sanding.
Also, use wood putty or wood filler to fix any deep hollows in the wood that resulted from the cutting process.
When determining whether to sand or fill in imperfections in your pinewood derby car, choose sanding for minor imperfections and filling for major ones.
5.
Add primer as a top coat This is the second primer coat that you should add to your pinewood derby car.
As a result, tiny grains will rise to the car's surface, thus allowing you to sand them off.
After adding this final primer coat, you're ready to sand.
It's advisable that you use a fine 220-grit sandpaper, to ensure that you're able to remove all of the car's imperfections.
6.
Add a coat of lacquer after adding decals and pinstripes.
The clear varnish will make your car's paint more durable.
It can range from matte to glossy, so determine how shiny you want your pinewood derby car to look after you've completed it.
To paint your pinewood derby car properly, you'll need to do more than hurriedly spray on two heavy coats.
These above tips will help you to accomplish that mission.
