I covered my Fly Baby with the colored Solartex from Balsa USA. It is as the one reply said...... that you can feel the weave on most colors, (mine was red and silver), and especially the red. The silver was more smooth. I tried some TESTS on scrap-covered Solartex first. I used Minwax and Deft, oil and also their water based Poly U, because I wanted to seal the surface to make any cleaning easier. I let these test pieces dry about 2 WEEKS. I put a couple drops of raw gas/oil mix on the samples, (like an accidental spill or splatter), and within SECONDS the surface was attacked by the fuel and it softened the PolyU. I had read then....... and now... that these are the products to use for gassers. I am glad I tested first!!. I ended up sealing it with Nelsons clear with cross-linker. (hardener).
I have posted before about Nelsons product and one person called it junk. Maybe I was lucky. ??? My plane turned out VERY nice and is holding up great. .... lownslo.