Estes Scorpion build thread

Take us through your build strategies and ideas.
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Trident
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#11 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Trident »

I have a LOT of Createx. I bought it about 5-6 years ago, after seeing absolutely georgeous rockets painted with them. By a guy named "stymye" over on TRF. I think he was ScaleNut on YORF. If he mentioned heat curing, I just do not remember, and I didn't do that,. So, I had real issues with coverage and durability. Also, I didn't realize you had to clear coat to get the nice deep colors. I watched a YouTube several days ago about using Createx paint. The guy did heat cure, and he used Future Floor Wax to get the nice glossy finish. He was painting plastic car models, and they looked great.

He also used Testors acrylic airbrush paint, and it looked to be a little easier to use, but more costly. I figured once it got warm here, I'd try airbrushing again. I also need to watch the videos, since it was really late at night, and some of the details didn't stick with me.
Last edited by Trident on Wed, 20 Apr 16, 01:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Lee

Bulds: Estes Saturn V, Super Sky Hook, Farside-X
Awaiting Paint/Detailing: Estes Saturn 1B
Completed!: Der Saturn Max, Bandit XL
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#12 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Commander »

I was just going to upload the pdf, but that slacker bernomatic has changed the files allowed to be uploaded settings yet, so here's the linkhttp://www.createxcolors.com/PDFs/AppGu ... Colors.pdf.

While I find the youtube videos helpful, most of the time I'm rewinding to pick up on something I missed while doing the previous step.

I hear about the not curing and having difficulties with finish toughness part. I wouldn't do any sanding between coats and make sure all surfaces are well prepped before painting.

One last thing, the guide states
Reducing with water is not recommended as performance benefits are not achieved and tip-dry is increased
In most cases I would say, "yeah sure, they just want us to spend more on their products." In this instance, I tend to think it is a better idea to get the thinning agent or risk becoming frustrated with a clogging nozzle.

Another issue I have with Createx while on the subject, it is supposed to be "ready to spray straight from the bottle" or some such. This is true if you use high pressure (40-50 psi) and a large nozzle (0.5mm IIRC), so thinning in most airbrushes is mandatory. :geek:
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#13 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by bernomatic »

So the Big Bertha was not the only launch this weekend, I also brought the Scorpion along for her first flight.
see launch report here

Again no pictures or videos of the flight have been uploaded yet, (almost reminds me of the "good old days" when you had to wait a couple of days to get your film developed :( )

So the main thing that happened in an otherwise beautiful flight was an shock cord separation.
Image

The break occurred right at the knot, a double figure eight, in the elastic. Frayed ends on both sides did not exhibit much in the way of scorch marks. I can't recall if I put any glue on the knot, although that would be a unique situation as I typically do not.
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#14 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by tmacklin »

Bernie, that is a truly beautiful paint job! Really nice.
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#15 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Ghrocketman »

REALLY like that bright green paint job.
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#16 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Ghrocketman »

BOO !
Just say NO to ALL water-based paint systems.
They ARE ALL CRAP !
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#17 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Ghrocketman »

BOO !
Just say NO to ALL water-based paint systems.
They ARE ALL CRAP !

Full-sized OEM automotive assembly facilities have largely switched to water-based finished systems due to the POS EPA's regulations on VOC's. They have paint shop quality problems several magnitudes over they ever had with organic solvent based finishes. If it was up to me, ALL cars would be finished with the very-toxic but absolute BEST quality paint system, DuPont IMRON !
If I was in-charge I would completely shut-down the EPA by refusing to sign any budget that provides ANY funding to that POS agency.
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luke strawwalker
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#18 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by luke strawwalker »

Yeah, factory vehicle paint jobs last about, at most, 10 years now and they're COMPLETELY SHOT, for the most part. My 02 F-150 Supercrew had all the clearcoat peel off the hood starting a few years ago, it's almost completely gone now except for a little at the very back corners of the hood by the windshield, and the paint just seems to have disappeared from the roof of the truck above the windshield and extending further back, to the point that there's some small rust holes developing-- idiot engineers decided it was a good idea to design the roof of the truck with GROOVES in the sheet metal about a foot apart, probably to stiffen up the sheet metal roof of the truck. If they would have pressed in RIBS at least the water would run off of them and dribble down the windshield when it was parked, instead of sitting there in the freaking grooves and rusting things.

I need to get it repainted-- my brother got his wife's car repainted and they did a nice job, but it was about $900 bucks. I may just repaint it myself. Fix the pinholes in the roof channels and then sand it and paint it. I have a spray guy (for spraying paint on farm equipment and trailers) and I know how to do it, but not convinced I can really do it justice. At least I can pick a better color this time... :)

I remember that most of the Dodge pickups and some Chevy's years ago, the paint would just peel off them in huge strips until they were basically down to primer. Agree that modern factory applied finishes are pretty much *oops you said word #1.

Aught to do them like John Deere does-- dip the whole friggin' body in a PAINT VAT... then they have "touch up robots" that shoot parts that can't be dipped. It's something to see on their assembly line-- they jig up a combine frame and chassis, weld it together, then dip the entire friggin assembly in a swimming pool of Deere green paint.

Later! OL J R :)
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#19 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by bernomatic »

Ghrocketman wrote:BOO !
Just say NO to ALL water-based paint systems.
They ARE ALL CRAP !

Full-sized OEM automotive assembly facilities have largely switched to water-based finished systems due to the POS EPA's regulations on VOC's. They have paint shop quality problems several magnitudes over they ever had with organic solvent based finishes. If it was up to me, ALL cars would be finished with the very-toxic but absolute BEST quality paint system, DuPont IMRON !
If I was in-charge I would completely shut-down the EPA by refusing to sign any budget that provides ANY funding to that POS agency.
You know GH, in some ways I can't believe you are not a Trump supporter. The man is talking about doing away with all the namby pamby alphabet soup agencies' regulations, and a bunch of the agencies too for that matter. I thought that is what you wanted? Guess you just want more from Hillary and her ilk. Yeah there is that Anderson guy, but he has about as much chance of winning as Estes has of bring back the B-14. :shock:
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#20 Re: Estes Scorpion build thread

Post by Commander »

It seems the Scorpion is trying to take over the Mars Snoopers position as most PIA due to knock off the table.
The two outboard fins came off in a fall, I glued them back and it fell again knocking one off again. I used some JB Wood Weld to glue place some fillets and was in the process of fixing the paint job when it got knocked over again :twisted:
This time one of the forward canards got knocked loose and one of the dowels on a fin got broke off.
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