Nice post, linclogs (interesting handle you got there). I got some Dave Brown Skyloft and was disappointed to find it was heavier than Sig Koverall by almost 50%. I used some to patch up an old silk finish and it worked well except in one large patch where the dope has cracked on the surface. That has made me worry about using it on a whole plane. But your post makes me think about trying it anyway. It has a very nice look to it clear doped--similar to the old silkspan but even better.

Koverall has worked extremely well for me. Now I'm interested in trying Thai Silks. The Hatori 8mm comes in a terrific array of colors and the stuff is actually cheaper than Koverall. One post elsewhere said it weighs 1 oz/ft sq, which is heavier than the lighter silk from Sig. Koverall is 1.25, but doesn't need much dope to fill, so final weights are probably very similar.

I do almost all my doping outside, and even then I often use a mask. With a canister nose/mouth type from a place like Sears (under $20) I can't smell a thing. That also allows me to do some doping inside in the winter in a room that I can keep closed off.

Aerodyne nitrate adheres coverings very well, and it shrinks coverings pretty tight even without using water. Sig's Nitrate is treated to reduce shrinking, which also reduces adherence. Aerodyne, Sig and Brodak dopes are all totally compatible, except of course you can't mix nitrate and butrate. Pactra Aerogloss is a totally different animal.

I think a bad dope finish beats a good plastic finish, though certain styles look OK when the plastic is done really well. But plastic looks terrible when it wrinkles, lifts, or gets scratched, and patches always have ugly seams. I really like dope finishes.

Jim