ORIGINAL: alfredbmor
Chashint: I do agree with your post.
I am currently covering an SE5a Dynaflite biplane with koverall, I am using Stix it before applying the fabric, it is really a nice job and the fabric shrinks very well. Now the next step, I do really want to go with an acrylic (water based) paint instead of using dope, what do you think about it?
Have you done like this before?
Need some tips
Thanks.
Great choice on the SE5 I have the FunAero 60 size SE5 under construction right now.
http://www.funaero.com/
This project was started September 27th and I have the fuselage about 50% framed, I guess it is never to early to start thinking about covering and paint though.
I have used the Koverall on three planes and all of them had a smooth glossy finish. The base coat on all of them was the nitrate dope. Two of the planes were top coated with Butyrate dope and one of the planes was painted with Rustoleum.
The SE5 will be the first plane that "needs" the weave to show through the paint and for the paint to have no more than a semi-gloss finish.
The way I have approached paint choice and application in the past will not work for this plane.
I have read in multiple threads that the water based acrylic (poly-urethane) works very well as a base coat and as a top coat on the Koverall.
While I am not opposed to this paint I have never used it and have no recomendation about it.
I know that is no help but I would rather be no help than bad help.
Since you are still deciding take a look here
http://www.stits.com/store/index.html#36
These products are made specifically for model airplanes.
Koverall is very similar to their Poly-lite fabric so there should be no compatibility issues.
I hope to learn through your experience so keep posting.