Does anyone else use this cheap, readily available product alone to prep their fins? It is sandable, paintable, non-toxic, cleans with water, and EASY to work with. I have now used it, and it alone, on 3 rockets at the suggestion of a semi-serious modeller who knows lots more than me. It seems to work great, but what do I know. I'm truly a novice and keep reading about FnF, balsa filler, dope, card stock, bondo, CA glue, tissue paper, etc, etc, etc. I don't know what half that stuff is or where to get it.

I have had great looking results with the Elmer's product and really don't want to use anything else. Am I missing something here? Someone please tell me if I'm screwing up. I'm about to build my most expensive kit to date (by far) and want to know if this method is ok before I start. I don't care if it's not the "ultimate", just that it is ok.

Thanks,

Ralph

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"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." - Metallica

Elmer's Wood Filler is (practically, but not literally) the same as Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish (AKA FnF). Bondo filler putty is a good product for filling in dents and dings, especially after paint is applied, but is not much count for filling fins. Dope (when used with subjects about filling balsa on this forum) commonly refers to Aerogloss Sanding Sealer and Wood Filler [Please correct me if I'm wrong]. Cardstock is glued on the fins with stuff like white glue, carpenters/wood/yellow glue, 3M Spray, etc. It can add considerable strength to the fins and reduce the sanding required, but can add weight and warp fins, and you still have to fill and sand the edges. Some people have got good results with this, but in my humble and personal opinion, it's not worth doing most of the time. But many may disagree. Tissue paper is used in the same way as cardstock. It's just a different material. Balsa filler, as far as I know, is just whatever you fill balsa grain with. I could be wrong though.

As far as you missing something or screwing up by using Elmer's wood filler, don't worry about it. I use it, my father uses it, and several people on this forum use it with great results. If you like it, then it's just as good as or better than anything you listed.

Thanks. What I like best about it is I can buy it everywhere. I haven't seen the other fillers modellers mention anywhere. It doesn't hurt that it is dirt cheap, perfectly safe, and easy to use either.

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"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." - Metallica

Fill-n-Finish is now Wood Filler, same basic stuff. I use the Wood Filler, and it works for me fine. I thin mine down to about a pancake batter consistency, and then put it in a sealable container. It keeps well, and I just paint it on with a cheap paint brush. You do need to watch it though, fins can warp. I usually paint on the filler and put something on top to keep them flat. The Deuces Wild fins I work on last week wanted to warp as I filled them. Once they dried they were fine.

I use it on finished models, but I have trouble using it on fins that are not yet attached... it tends to warp them. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong.

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NAR # 115523
Once upon a better day... SAM #0076
My site: http://rocketry.gonnerman.org

Elmer's quit making the Fill N' finish formula in late 2007. It was meant for indoor applications.
The newer Carpenter's Wood Filler is essentially the same thing but is made for indoor and outdoor (home and furniture) filling and repairs. You'll find it in a white tub with the orange and blue lid.
Some modeler's swear by the older formulation but I don't see that big of a difference. According to some, the older formula was lighter and easier to sand. It doesn't matter that much to me, I'm a sport flyer and altitude (lighter rockets) is more important in competition.
Most everybody (myself included) still refer to either product as Fill N' Finish or FNF.

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Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

If it works for you and you're happy with the results, who cares what anyone else uses?

I'm a balsa butcher and tend to use dope/sealer because I've had a lifelong relationship with the stuff and know how to use it. Some may feel that method is too labor intensive but it's what I know.

There are many ways to achieve a nice finish.

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Kit (aka Cranky Kong)

I'm just a roadie for the banned...

That's the way I use it, for the same reason.

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I love sanding.

Oh yeah, it's great stuff... knock yourself out...

I put about a half teaspoon of the stuff in an old baby food jar and add a few drops of water and work it together with a paintbrush (about a 1 inch brush) and then just brush the thinned filler on the fins and nosecones. Works like a champ!

The main thing is, be careful on VERY large fins or thin fins, as the water can cause warpage. Might be better off just using it straight (unthinned) on those.

I usually harden my fins and nosecones by applying thin CA (cyanoacrylate "superglue") from Hobby Lobby on the fins and nosecone first. I just us the bottle tip like a 'magic marker' and gently rub the CA across the cone and fins. It soaks in and hardens them quite a bit. It tends to make any loose fibers and sanding dust or sawdust on the fins 'stand up' and makes the fins feel a bit 'gritty' after application, but a quick light sanding smooths them out pretty. Then I use the wood filler to fill the balsa grain. Sand them down nicely and then prime with a couple or three coats of primer, and sand the primer. I usually finish sand the primer with wet/dry sandpaper by dipping it in water and patting it dry on an old towel, 'wet sanding' (actually more like damp sanding) the rocket to get it glass smooth before painting.

Takes a little work but it works like a champ! OL JR

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I just put my first layer on. I am not very experienced but the few I have built with it haven't warped. I tried to read up a bit before purchasing my 1st $50 kit (with shipping) but just wound up confused. I'm glad to see that most aprove of this method. I am building the Dynastar Rising Star purchased from Apogee. They were very good to do business with. It will be my first rocket capable of using other than Estes engines, though I probably won't jump right into it.

Thanks for all the input.

Ralph

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"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." - Metallica