Silk and dope is a labor of love. Must be done right. You can't apply real heavy or the dope goes thru the silk and globs up on the inside adding excessive weight. I did a VK Fokker Triplane 30 years ago and the silk has since cracked and pealed. Yes I still have the plane. Many coats of a clear to prep, then as many coats of the finish color(s) to complete. Builders call. It does consume time, but the finish is second to none.