What kind of paint do you use on pinewood derby cars

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.

How do you paint a Pinewood Derby car?

Step 1: Begin by wrapping sandpaper around a block of wood 1 inch by 3 inches. …
Step 2: Just painting the pinewood won’t hide the wood’s grain. …
Step 3: Choose a color for your Pinewood Derby car. …
Step 4: Place a race number on the Pinewood Derby car.

Should I sand the wheels on a Pinewood Derby car?

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.

Should I prime my Pinewood Derby car?

Pinewood Derby cars were painted over 100 times, and we selected the best paints for them. Sand and paint are the best way to apply these high gloss acrylic paints – they do not require primer or wood sealer. Water is the base of all of our paints.

Can you use graphite on Pinewood Derby car?

Graphite is perhaps the most widely used and accepted Pinewood Derby lubricant out there. Molybdenum (Moly) is also used, both alone and more commonly, mixed with graphite. Graphite and graphite with moly are the best lubricants for your car.

How can I make my Pinewood Derby car faster?

Bake your block. …
Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces. …
Use all of the graphite (dry lubricant is usually allowed). …
Sand and polish your wheels and axles. …
Check alignment. …
Spend time on sanding. …
Use a high-quality paint. …
Add decals!

How much does paint weight on 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.

Do I need to use a sanding sealer?

Michael Dresdner: “Sanding sealer is never mandatory. It is an option that saves time and material in some situations, and is unnecessary in others. Some woods, like cedar, spruce, and poplar, are so porous that they tend to suck up the first few coats of sprayed lacquer as if nothing were applied.

Can you paint Pinewood Derby wheels?

It’s easy to paint chrome spokes on you Pinewood Derby car wheels. All you need is a silver paint marker available from our web site.

Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?

Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class. Although canted axles are allowed in both. A canted axle is straight throughout its length.

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Should I glue Pinewood Derby axles?

7. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels. 8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow.

What is the best graphite for Pinewood Derby?

Pinewood Pro’s dry powdered PRO Graphite is a special blend of ultra-fine natural graphite with sub-micron molybdenum disulfide (also known as “moly”) additive to give you the best graphite blend to minimize friction and make your car the fastest it can be.

What weight should I use for a Pinewood Derby car?

Most rules specify a 5 oz. maximum weight. Most Pinewood Derby cars weigh between 1.5 oz and 3.5 oz (depending on design) without weights so a car may need 3.5 oz or more of additional weight.

What is the best weight for Pinewood Derby?

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.

How fast do pinewood derby cars go mph?

The Speed of Pinewood Derby Cars The distribution plot below shows a range of speeds from 177 mph to 229 mph, with most cars exceeding 200 mph.

Why does my Pinewood Derby car wobble?

Pinewood Derby Wheels Wobble are a very common issue. Derby wheels are made with an injection molding process. Because they are not machined from raw material, flaws such as concentricity (wobble) will cause a wheel to wobble because the bore is not aligned with the outer diameter.

What is the best shape for a Pinewood Derby car?

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.

Is a heavier Pinewood Derby car 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.

What can you use instead of sanding sealer?

“As for a sanding sealer, I usually just use shellac. Typically a 1 lb cut. There are two ways to do this. I either buy pre-mixed shellac (Bullseye SealCoat), and dilute it from 2lb cut to 1lb cut.

What's the purpose of sanding sealer?

A sanding sealer can be used on bare, unstained floors, doors, furniture and cabinets prior to applying either an oil-based or a water-based clear finish. It is designed as a base coat that will dry quickly, seal the pores, and sand easily with fine sandpaper to create an ultra-smooth foundation.

What is a sand and sealer?

Sanding sealer is a clear liquid base finish that is applied to bare natural wood or to any uncoated wood product. … Sanding sealer helps improve the condition of subsequent coats of paint or clear finish by sealing the wood pores.

Can a pinewood derby car have 3 wheels?

Especially when using axle slots, it is often quite difficult to get all four wheels to touch the ground evenly. In fact, many times people end up with three-wheeled pinewood derby cars by accident! Don’t let your car design be accidental.

How tall can a pinewood derby car be?

The maximum height of the car cannot exceed 5 inches (Adjust this limit so that the cars will pass under your finish gate). 5. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.

Where should the center of gravity be on a Pinewood Derby car?

Center of gravity placement should be between 1⁄2″ – 1″ in front of the rear axle. This is true for all wheel base types. Whether you are using a standard wheelbase or an extended wheelbase.

How do you reduce friction on a Pinewood Derby car?

The easiest way to reduce friction is to lubricate the surfaces that cause friction. Lubrication is an essential part of pinewood derby racing. Purchase a tube of dry PRO Graphite with moly and shoot it onto the axle shaft and inside the wheel bore. Spin the wheel so the graphite works in.

How do you dry out a Pinewood Derby car?

Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter. This will allow you to place more weight to the rear of the Pinewood Derby car where you actually want it.

How much weight can you add to a 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.

How do you glue weights on a Pinewood Derby car?

Epoxy can be used for attaching metal accessories to the car and, since it does not shrink when dry, it works well for gluing weight into holes or pockets. It can also be used for gluing wood to wood, but I recommend yellow, white, or tacky glue for that use.

How much clearance do you need for a Pinewood Derby car?

The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the center guide rail.

How do you run a successful Pinewood Derby car?

Maintain perspective. Pinewood Derby shouldn’t be all about racing, and it’s certainly not all about trophies or ribbons. …
Delegate responsibilities. …
Establish rules. …
Host a car-making workshop. …
Hold an inspection event. …
Gather materials. …
Establish a timing system. …
Use racing software.