L2 Certification, Painting, Planning, Rocket Building

Preparation of area for painting

Painting is to commence on the Sunday (3rd Dec 17), but decided to spend a few hours on the Saturday making sure everything was ready and I’m familiar with the operation of the tools.

  1. Making sure the Compressor works satisfactorily
  2. Looking at the operation of the Spray Gun
  3. Making sure the rocket is level and at appropriate height
  4. That we will be able to paint the Nose Cone while the rocket remains hanging

It was a good thing we checked because I noticed that:-

  • The rocket was not at the right level, it was too high and this would result in tired arm.
  • The Nose Cone jig was right on top of the rocket, and this would mean I couldn’t hang it up and paint it at the same time. So I moved it to the right

All these might seem like small points, but they all go to help make it a successful paint job.

Here are some more pictures of the area where I will be painting the rocket.

Tape on inside to reduce amount of paint getting on inside of air-frame.
Tape on inside to reduce amount of paint getting on inside of air-frame.
Backing masking tape so that paint doesn't go onto inside of air-frame.
Backing masking tape so that paint doesn’t go onto inside of air-frame.
Toothpick to reduce amount of paint going into threads.
Toothpick to reduce amount of paint going into threads.
Rocket suspended from garage door at just the right height. Nose cone is also suspected from eye-bolt to the right.
Rocket suspended from garage door at just the right height. Nose cone is also suspected from eye-bolt to the right.
Just double checking that the level of the rocket seems to be at a comfortable height.
Just double checking that the level of the rocket seems to be at a comfortable height.