RE: COATING/PAINTING/BALSA/1/2A'S
We have another product over here called Krylon, it is not fuelproof which is a pain because it comes in a bunch of really nice colors that they seem to have the rainbow of at Walmart. Still, it's quick, cheap and if done correctly, light.
For something of real value I'd still go with dope, but for my CL Scale Racer, 1/2A sheet trainers, all my SPADs and anything with covering on it, Rustoleum is the thing to use.