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How do you paint a pinewood derby car?
My son is building his first derby car for summer camp, and he wants me to help him make sure it looks super sleek and shiny. I’ve tried a few tests on scrap wood, but I can always see the grain underneath. How can you make a pinewood derby car shiny with paint?
Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Ah, the beloved pinewood derby racer! Don’t worry—with the right materials and enough time, you can have your son’s car looking like it’s made of steel.
To paint a pinewood derby car, begin your project at least a week or two before the race. Gather these materials to start:
- Coarse-, medium-, and fine-grit sandpaper
- A 1” x 3” block of wood
- Liquid sanding sealer
- Enamel paint
- Race numbers or decals
- Clear gloss paint
- Floor paste wax
Start by sanding your pinewood derby car. Wrap the sandpaper around the block of wood, and begin by rounding off the corners with the coarse-grit, then smoothing rough edges with the medium-grit, and finally finishing with the fine-grit to remove sanding marks.
Apply two coats of sanding sealer, and allow it to dry overnight. Then, sand it lightly with the fine-grit paper. If the wood grain still shows, repeat this step, and keep repeating as necessary to smooth out the wood grain.
Add two to three coats of your chosen enamel paint. It’s easier to spray paint than to brush it on, but either way will work. Just be sure to smooth out any brush strokes so they can’t be seen.
Apply race numbers or decals if desired, and then spray the entire car with clear gloss paint to seal it.
Allow the gloss paint to cure for at least a week. Then, polish it with the floor paste wax to give it that high shine you’re looking for.
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- Gregory R.
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