High-quality, Testors-Model Master acrylic paints are easy to apply, wash up with water, and most importantly, provide a great finish for your pinewood derby car.
What kind of paint should I use on my Pinewood Derby car?
gloss acrylic paints
We tested over 100 different paints and selected the ones that gave the best results on Pinewood Derby cars. These high gloss acrylic paints work best if no primer or wood sealer is used – Just sand and paint. All of our paints are water based. They are non-toxic and water wash-up.
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 do you sand and paint a Pinewood Derby car?
- Sand your car.
- Shake the paint bottle for one minute.
- Wait about 4 hours for the paint to completely dry then lightly sand your car until the paint is smooth.
- Apply another thin coat of paint.
- Apply additional coats of paint waiting at least one hour between coats.
How do you seal the weight on a Pinewood Derby car?
Seal the weight holes with the wood putty. Allow to dry in a warm place for 12 hours. Sand the wood putty until smooth and flush with the car block.
What is the best paint to use to paint pine?
If you’re looking for the best paint to upcycle pine furniture, look no further than Chalk Paint™. Annie Sloan first developed this brand of furniture paint in 1990 specifically to go over surfaces like varnished pine without the need for priming first.
What makes a pinewood derby car go faster?
High-carbon graphite is used to lubricate the wheels of a Pinewood Derby car for increased speed and performance.
Should pine be primed 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.
What is the best month to paint a car?
autumn
Automotive Paint in Fall
With mostly dry, warm weather conditions in the fall months, and rain typically holding off until the latter part of November, autumn is an ideal time to apply a coat of paint to your car.
How much weight does paint add to a Pinewood Derby car?
1 oz is reserved for paint and decals. 2. Decide where you would like to add the weight. Weight should be placed towards the rear of the car.
What grit should I sand with before painting car?
1,500 grit is a good starting point, though you’ll need to be cautious about sanding it off too much. It’s better if you have 2,000 grit, at least, as you can then move up and up to 2,500 grit, and the final 3,000 grit for an ultra-fine finishing touch.
Do you sand between coats when painting a car?
Lightly sand the primer, apply your basecoat, and allow it to dry. Finish with a layer of clear coat, and you’re good to go! When applying multiple layers of paint, sanding between layers is only required if, after drying, you notice runs, drips, or uneven areas of your paint job.
Is graphite legal in Pinewood Derby?
Weight of the car cannot exceed 5 ounces. 5. Liquid graphite is not allowed. See Dogwood District Pinewood Derby Rules for complete listing of all event rules.
Is it better to have more weight in front or back of pinewood derby?
PUT MOST OF THE WEIGHT IN THE BACK
Science says the heaviest part of your car should be about 1 inch in front of the rear axle. The idea is that the farther back the weight is, the more potential energy you have because your center of mass is higher up on the track.
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.
Should you bake your 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.
What finish is best for pine?
Pine accepts clear finishes like varnish or polyurethane much like any other wood. Read the label on the can and apply according to the directions. First, however, seal any knots in the wood with a coat of clear shellac; this will keep pigments in the knots from bleeding into the finish.
Can you paint pine without sanding?
Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface. Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it.
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.
Should you sand Pinewood Derby wheels?
In the past, pinewood derby wheels had a mold mark on the wheel tread that had to be removed by sanding. The new wheels no longer have a mold mark. Sanding can still help by removing variations in the wheel circumference making the wheel rounder but sanding is no longer as necessary as it was.
Where is the best place to put 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.