5 ounces.
MAX OUT YOUR CAR’S WEIGHT AT 5 OZ First, the basics: Your car should weigh as much as it’s allowed. In most races, a Pinewood Derby car’s weight is limited to 5 ounces. If your car weighs less than that, add coins or other weights.
When should I paint my Pinewood Derby car?
Sandpaper and paint can turn a block of wood into a sleek Pinewood Derby racer that looks as smooth as steel. The trick is using the right materials and allowing plenty of time. Don’t wait until the last minute! For best results, you’ll need to start at least a week or two before the race.
How much weight should I put in my Pinewood Derby car?
The maximum weight limit for a pinewood derby car is 5 ounces. Plan on adding 2 to 3.5 oz of weight to your car, depending on your car design and the weight of your pine wood block. A chunky car design has more wood so it needs less weight.
Should a Pinewood Derby car be light or heavy?
8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow. In general, it’s best to place weight to the rear of your car because a heavier rear increases speed.
What weight should I use for my derby car?
Tungsten is the best weight for your pine derby car because it allows you to pack more weight in a smaller area giving you more flexibility in your car design and more accurate weight placement for speed. Package contains eight 3/8″ diameter cylinders with chamfored edges for easy insertion.
How long should pine dry before painting?
You should let the wood dry anywhere between three days and a month depending on how big it is and if it is softwood or hardwood. Softwood as well as thinner pieces of wood tend to dry quicker. A well ventilated dry location is best for drying wood.
How long can paint sit before it needs to be Reshaken?
Do not shake your paint by hand if it has been sitting for more than a week. Shaking paint that has sat this long by hand does not mix the colors and ingredients well enough. If you use paint that hasn’t been properly shaken, you will have all sorts of different colors on your wall, and it may start peeling.
Can a pinewood derby car be too heavy?
Assuming all other factors are equal, a heavier car will be faster than a lighter car. The Pinewood Derby rules limit the weight of each car to 5 ounces.
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go faster?
Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.
Should I bake my pinewood derby car?
Per the Pinewood Derby rules, the weight of the car shouldn’t exceed 5 ounces. One way to ensure your car doesn’t go over the weight limit is to bake the block! Naturally, wood holds water, and water adds weight. You’ll want to help your Scout by baking the block in an oven at 250 degrees for one hour.
Does a longer wheelbase make a pinewood derby car faster?
The longer the wheel base, the greater the turning distance (a short car turns much more quickly than a long car). A pinewood derby car should go as straight as possible, so a longer wheel base is an advantage.
Where is the best place to put the weight on a pinewood derby car?
Best Location to Weight Your Pinewood Derby Car
When deciding on where to weight your car, you should try to reach a final balance point of the car 1 inch or less in front of the rear axle. To achieve this, place 2/5 of the added weight behind the rear axle, and the remaining 3/5 in front of the rear axle.
What is the fastest pinewood derby Shape?
But aerodynamics rule the day, and the best shape is a simple wedge. Just like a spoiler on the rear of a sports car, the wedge shape allows as much air to flow over the top of the car without hinderance while keeping the car pinned to the track.
What makes a fast pinewood derby car?
One of the most important ways to make a fast pinewood derby car is by adding weights. Because the cars are relatively light, they need to overcome friction and air resistance when navigating down the racetrack. Most modern tracks feature an initial slope followed by a long, flat section.
Is a shorter pinewood derby car better?
Can a pinewood derby car be shorter than 7 inches? Yes, you can make your car shorter but it is not recommended. A shorter car will have a lower center of mass at the start so it will have less energy to convert into speed when going down the track.
How do you break in a pinewood derby weight?
Each bar is 2 3/4″ long and can be broken or cut into 1/4″ segments. Just drill a 3/8″ hole in the back of your car, break off the exact amount of weight you need, slide them in.
Can you paint straight on pine?
Traditional furniture paints require a lot of prep work before you can start painting pine. To create a lasting finish, these paints won’t work well on pine unless the surface has been sanded and primed first. If you’re looking for the best paint to upcycle pine furniture, look no further than Chalk Paint™.
Is 12 hours enough for paint to dry?
Paint Drying Times and Factors
Oil-based paint – dry to the touch in 6–8 hours and ready to recoat in 24 hours. Latex paint – dry to the touch in about 1 hour, and you can safely recoat in 4 hours.
Should I prime pine before painting?
Unfinished wood should always be primed prior to painting. Primer, having high-solids content, helps fill in the wood grain and creates a smooth surface for the finish coat. Like the raw drywall, unfinished woods tend to really soak up paint, and primer helps seal the surface to prevent this from happening.
Should you shake or stir paint?
The ingredients can and do separate—make sure to stir when you start to paint, and again every so often while painting. This ensures that the color and consistency of the finish will look great.
Can I paint after 2 hours?
Adding a Second Coat
After your first coat of paint is dry, it’s safe to recoat typically after four to six hours. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it’s water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer.